Universal Charging

[sbsshadow]

Hi All

When I have my universal plugged into my USB on my Laptop it dosnt chanrge the device until I switch the screen off is this normal ?

Is there a setting ?

Thanks

Steve

[patrickl]

I have the same with USB cables and several chargers (wall and car) I think it depends on the wiring.

Mostly the MDA start charging after a few seconds even if the screen is on though.

[Mikew]

Suspect your laptop can't supply enough power through the USB port to power the screen & charge the battery.

You might want to try reducing the screen brightness to minimum to see if that leaves enough spare power to charge the battery.

Mike

[dherrero]

It's normal. The laptops suply 0.5A but your charger suply 1A. So you sould keep screen off, or BT and Wifi off if you want your pda increases the battery level instead of decreasing......

[patrickl]

Well as I experience the problem it is not a problem of too much load. If I switch the screen back on after it starts charging it works fine still.

[dherrero]

sure. Because the screen on eats much power

[patrickl]

and it doesn't when you switch it on later?

[dherrero]

Let's se. If you turn off the screen using some program (not the pda, only the screen) the energy consumption will be less so your pda will charge. BUT if you let the screen ON the pda will spend more energy than the received by the laptop so the battery level will decrease......

[patrickl]

I doubt that is what he is referring too. I assume he's talking about the orange led. That does sometimes not come on when the screen is on, but if you swith it off it comes on and then you can switch the screen back on and charging works fine.

I really doubt that the MDA uses more power than USB can supply. You'd have to have a lot of other devices connected to the same port/hub and seeing how this is on a notebook ...

[Mikew]

Probably does not check power requirements all the time so you may get into a position where it can charge & have the back light on.

So one of two things will happen depending on how well you laptop was designed.

1) It will take a very long time to charge while the display is on.

2) Damage the USB power supply as the PDA will take more than the USB port can supply without damaging it.

Mike

[patrickl]

Of course I'm not the thread starter, but what I have experienced is that it's not about the speed of charging just that the led needs to go orange and that it will not do so when the screen is on (or with a delay)

So in the end the real problem is that charging does not start when the orange led is not on (as the device remains switched on). Not that it takes longer when the screen is on. Simply that there will be no charging at all.

I have ended up with an empty battery because of this myself a few times. If I remember to switch off the device when it's hooked up then it charges fine if I switch it back on.

I have also had the same problem from a 1A wall charger. So it's not just a matter of power being available. It has to be something with wiring or signals from the charge cable too.

I'll try to see what the difference is between chargers that do work immediately and ones that only work after you switch off the device.

[astage]

Some USB ports may also be designed to supply power (or a bit more umph!) to external devices. For example, one of my laptops has two USB ports; a normal one and one with a "plus" symbol designed for powering devices like floppy, or USB hard disc drives.

[BillB]

Of course I'm not the thread starter, but what I have experienced is that it's not about the speed of charging just that the led needs to go orange and that it will not do so when the screen is on (or with a delay)

So in the end the real problem is that charging does not start when the orange led is not on (as the device remains switched on). Not that it takes longer when the screen is on. Simply that there will be no charging at all.

I have ended up with an empty battery because of this myself a few times. If I remember to switch off the device when it's hooked up then it charges fine if I switch it back on.

I have also had the same problem from a 1A wall charger. So it's not just a matter of power being available. It has to be something with wiring or signals from the charge cable too.

I'll try to see what the difference is between chargers that do work immediately and ones that only work after you switch off the device.

Completely agreed. I have exactly te same situation, whether I use the computer's USB power or a 1A wall charger. I have tried various cables with to no avail. If I want the device to charge, I must:

1. Turn off the Universal by pushing the power button,
2. Then feed the electricity,
3. Then the orange light comes on, and it is charging,
4. Then I can do whatever I want with the device as it charges.

When my Universal was new, it did not have this issue, so I do not know if a firmware update, a reset, or some third-party software caused this to happen.

[Mikew]

My understanding is that the display backlight uses most of the power I can get a decent charge by just closing the lid rather than using the off button.

Mike

[matt1971]

My understanding is that the display backlight uses most of the power I can get a decent charge by just closing the lid rather than using the off button.

Mike

My battery was down to about 38%, charging via USB (Lid closed) charged upto about 83% after about 3hours - Not quick but good in an emergency.

Matt

[QuaCKeReD]

Got a bit of a weird update here...

Normally, my unit does the same as above...wont charge if display is on, removing cable, closing lid/turning off then applying charge resolves issue.

Now, I used to try the charge cable first, if it didnt work, unplug, close lid, apply charge again.

Past few days, I have been inserting the charge cable in and pressing power (lid still up)...at this point it doesnt charge (does if you close lid instead of pressing power), but if i now close lid and re-open lid, the screen comes on and so does the charge..at the same time ?!?!?! :shock: :shock:

I have tried this process and left lid closed for few mins before opening it, but the charge starts when the lid is opened not closed. :(

And also, if you get unit charging, then remove charge, you can apply charge again in any power state (within 3 mins) and unit will charge instantly?!?!? After 3 mins you have to mess about with power and lid... :(

So, is the charge linked to the lid closing, or linked to a change of status of the units power??? :roll:



EDIT: ahh haaaa...the 3 min thing was cos my power down timeout was 3 mins :wink: so I did some testing;

1. lid up, screen on, backlight on - insert cable (no charge), press power (no charge), close lid (no charge), open lid (charge)
2. lid up, screen on, backlight off - insert cable (no charge), press power (no charge), close lid (charge)
3. lid up, screen off (from timeout, not power button) - insert cable (no charge), close lid (charge)
4. lid up, screen off (from power button) - insert cable (no charge), press power (no charge), close lid (charge)

......helpppppppppppppppppppppppp :shock:

[patrickl]

Ha, ha, I guess these machines are becoming so complex that they start to become really "alive" :)

[cmonex]

Got a bit of a weird update here...


how many secs elapse before you close lid in these experiments? it is normal to wait a couple of seconds before the charge led comes on.. sorry if this was too obvious!

other ideas: the contact is not good, and when you move the unit it could get better.
do you use the usb sync cable to charge or wall charger? i use the latter. supposed to be much better.

[QuaCKeReD]

Got a bit of a weird update here...


how many secs elapse before you close lid in these experiments? it is normal to wait a couple of seconds before the charge led comes on.. sorry if this was too obvious!

other ideas: the contact is not good, and when you move the unit it could get better.
do you use the usb sync cable to charge or wall charger? i use the latter. supposed to be much better.

I have tried these test with USB from laptop, USB from PC, USB from powered HUB, Wall charger and Car Charger...all same results. And I did wait for several seconds before closing the lid, in the vain hope that it would start charging...sighhhhhhhhh.

Only difference I have noted...and this may point to a possible app to fix it...if you use USB cable from PC/Laptop with ActivSync installed, it starts charging more reliably ?!?!? Kinda points to this being a polling problem within the units software ie: activsync connection sends a request which prompts device to check port status, sees power and starts charging...whereas a connection with only power doesnt force a poll. Problem here is, laptop/PC direct connect (as opposed to a hub connection which can cause some problems) is only 500mA power...wall charger is 1A...so charging time on a USB connection is VERY slow.

Anyone know of an application (or can write one) to change polling frequency on device??? Or maybe there is a registry setting that covers this?

*prays on knees* :lol:

[patrickl]

You have the problem with the standard MDA Pro charger too? Or do you have another wall charger?

Between the different chargers that I have I see great variation in the time they take to start charging. Some start immediately, some will take a few seconds and some will never start if the device is on (or screen is open) Each charger behaves quite similar every time though.

In my case I doubt software would help much. I actually have 2 MDA pros ( (it fell and the screen broke so I got a new one) They each have a different rom and I think the behavior between them is similar. Although I don't recall ever having the MDA pro mot charge in my car as it did with my old machine.

I'm still guessing there is a difference in a signal line somewhere that the MDA pro detects the charge quicker.

[cktlcmd]

On my setting, I have the Universal's screen on FULL brightness with BT signal ON and my laptop still charges my Universal to full capacity. It must be the settings on your laptop. I have my laptop settings to run on FULL power when plugged-in a power source, on battery power I have it also set to run on FULL power until it reaches a certain level so I know to save everything and turn it OFF.

[QuaCKeReD]

You have the problem with the standard MDA Pro charger too? Or do you have another wall charger?

Funnily enough, the standard MDA Pro charer does work instantly :shock: I was doing my testin at work with a different wall charger.
Hmmm, so there is a difference on the line, which no doubt cant be implemented on a cable used for data and charge...

FULL brightness with BT signal ON and my laptop still charges my Universal to full capacity. It must be the settings on your laptop.

Dont get me wrong, my laptop does charge the unit...but so veryyyyyyyyyy slowly.

Sorry sbsshadow, I seem your have hijacked your thread :oops:

[robleith]

hi, I,m glad i,m not the only one with charging problems.Has anyone ever
had the charge indicator flashing orange? Mine charges fine on wall & usb
charge but put it in a caand the led starts solid orange then goes to green
but then seems to get vey hot then the led starts flashing and the battery then discharges.Has anyone come across this one?

[cmonex]

hi, I,m glad i,m not the only one with charging problems.Has anyone ever
had the charge indicator flashing orange? Mine charges fine on wall & usb
charge but put it in a caand the led starts solid orange then goes to green
but then seems to get vey hot then the led starts flashing and the battery then discharges.Has anyone come across this one?

put it in a "ca"??? = ?
you sure you plugged it in the correct charger and in the correct way?
i have experienced a similar problem once on another pda, i tried two chargers, they were identical, and neither worked... the pda started charging then stopped and then the battery discharged while on charger. very quickly... i got another charger for it (not identical to that crap) and thats been working fine since then.

[QuaCKeReD]

Has anyone ever had the charge indicator flashing orange?

Not sure if notifications flash it orange or green. You can turn them off in sounds & Notifications (I do)

[cmonex]

Has anyone ever had the charge indicator flashing orange?

Not sure if notifications flash it orange or green. You can turn them off in sounds & Notifications (I do)

orange

[robleith]

Hello,
Sorry about the bad typing cmonex i meant to say "put the xda in an car charger/cradle and the led is solid orange,then fully charged green.But,after a few hours the orange led blinks slowly and the battery discharges :evil: The cradle i have has a small speaker on the back but i dont know what type it is.Is it possible that the voltage regulater in the plug/cradle is poor causing overcharging/overheating?

[layzphil]

I was about to post about this same issue. I guess yours is the car kit from pdamods (http://www.pdamods.com/proddetail.asp?prod=A111U2CRIJASMNT&cat=126)?

I've just done a 600 mile tour around Catalunya with my Exec and the pda mods car kit on a Mk5 Golf and had this problem all the time. I'd plug it in and start the car, and often it would start charging (light goes solid orange). After a while it would start flashing orange at regular intervals. Sometimes this would only use minimal power (I assume the car kit would power the screen, but just not have enough power to charge the battery). A couple of times though, it kept charging all the way to 100%.

I have a regular car charging lead that I use in my Mk2 Golf at home and I've never had a problem with that. You think this is an issue with the pdamods car kit, or the power supply from the cig lighter in the car (seems unlikely).

[robleith]

Hi layzphil.
I seem to have sorted my problem out.It seems the exec just doesnt
like getting too hot sat in this cradle.Since the weather has cooled a bit i
havnt had it as much.My exec sits in my van all day whilst i travel around
repairing vans for tesco,I used to leave the engine idling whilst i was working outside and upon my return the charge light would be flashing,but since i have started turning it off i,ve not had this problem!
Hope this helps :D

[QuaCKeReD]

Hi All,

The problem isnt down to any car kit, it seems to be down to the device itself and what it thinks is plugged into the usb port

[cdally]

I've had this for a while - it's seems simple to me. If using anything but the original mains charger or a PC with Activesync installed, you need to switch the device off before connecting the power. As long as it's off when you connect it, it will start charging immediately. Otherwise you will need to switch it off and on again to make it charge. The position of the lid makes no difference.

[QuaCKeReD]

I've had this for a while - it's seems simple to me. If using anything but the original mains charger or a PC with Activesync installed, you need to switch the device off before connecting the power. As long as it's off when you connect it, it will start charging immediately. Otherwise you will need to switch it off and on again to make it charge. The position of the lid makes no difference.

I refer you to my tests I did posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 17:58

I have since tried these tests with a clean device (ie: no software or ExtROM installed) and got same results.

Simply turning the device off (whether with the power button or closing the lid) doent always make a difference.

The only thing that everyone seems to agree on is that a HTC wall charger and an ActiveSync connection are the only 2 things that start charge immediately...

Question is, how to make it charge EVERY time, regardless of whats plugged in - personally I dont want to have to close TomTom, turn unit off, start charge, turn device on and reload TomTom EVERY time i turn engine off during a trip

[cdally]

noted. However - you don't need to quit tomtom - just switch off and on again (or better plug in before you switch on)...works for me!

[QuaCKeReD]

If you wish to start a charge with TomTom running, turning the device off or closing the lid will pause TomTom and subsequently close the app.

Kinda hard to start charging before loading TomTom when its the act of turning the engine off that stops the charge...

[cdally]

Oh I see, my car's cigar lighter stays live even with the engine off and also my version of TomTom doesn't quit when I close the lid or switch on/off...if you really wanted to, you could rewire the cigar lighter into an "always on" live wire...

PS I'm not saying this whole whing isn't annoying - just offering a solution!

[QuaCKeReD]

Yeah, I could re-wire car, but then I'de risk draining battery with everything thats plugged into lighter socket.......definately dont fancy that!!!

[dangoh]

Hi All

When I have my universal plugged into my USB on my Laptop it dosnt chanrge the device until I switch the screen off is this normal ?

Is there a setting ?

Thanks

Steve

hi Steve,

1) you need a usb cable that have 2 USB connectors to your laptop. I believe the laptop (especially the newer versions from 2005 onwards) limits the amount of power to be drawn per USB connection. Previously I have this issue, I tried using the USB cable with 2 USB connectors to the laptop (the cable is from by external HDD casing), it works.

2) Later I had upgrade to the latest Activesync, it solve this issue and I can use back the original cable from O2.

Regards,
Dan