Charging via USB

[dieterpapa]

Had my Ameo connected to may Laptop via USB for several hours without much usage.
However, when checking battery status the battery went even worse. I had only 20% remaining battery power.

Update: Battery power went to 10% now while connected to Laptop...seems to me that USB power is insufficient to charge the Ameo. That means it is impossible to work for a longer period with connected Ameo because the battery runs out of power !!!!!!

Who has made any other experience ?

Dieter

[Calavaro]

I see the same issue, although not as severe as for you. When I'm connected through the USB cable I don't gain nor lose battery power. I have had it connected for mopre than 12 hours in a row and see no change in battery power.

Not sure how you could resolve this.

[jeffharris]

Must be the case. Mine does charge (USB 2.0 - how 'bout yours?), but, it can take 12-15 hours or more to charge from 30% to 90%. Never seems to get to 100%

[jlingo]

Yes me too. it's such a dramatic different when comparing it with Universal. Much faster charging.

[tomchap]

I think this is mentioned in some other posts, wonder if there was a way to sort this out?

It appears the Athena uses more power than the USB can replenish. Strange. Ive had a universal and alot of other HTC devices and they were fine like you said.

mmm! strange

[cayotte]

May be by using a powered USB Hub would make it charged. I'm going to try it tonight and will post the outcome soon.

[Slave1]

May be by using a powered USB Hub would make it charged. I'm going to try it tonight and will post the outcome soon.

I was thinking that would be the solution but I don't have a hub.

If it works with yours I might need to buy one.

[inframan]

The supplied adapter is 1A, USB nominal is, i think 500mA so half the adapter current. On the two pc's I've tried mine on they sustain but not really charge the athena or if they do its a very slow charge.
With backlight up and wireless on I don't think they even keep pace.

From wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB):
"The USB specification provides a 5 V (volts) supply on a single wire from which connected USB devices may draw power. The specification provides for no more than 5.25 V and no less than 4.35 V between the +ve and -ve bus power lines. Initially, a device is only allowed to draw 100 mA. It may request more current from the upstream device in units of 100 mA up to a maximum of 500 mA."

[cayotte]

After charging using powered USB Hub I can confirm that my device does get charged. The result is better than just using standard USB port, but worse than using the supplied adaptor.

[apd]

The power consumption is because of the MD and the screen (which is much larger than on the Uni, hence the slower charging with the same amount of power).

You can't turn the MD off. However (if you don't have a powered hub), you can turn the brightness of the screen down whilst on external power and, hey presto, it will charge faster.;)

[Abram]

The power consumption is because of the MD and the screen (which is much larger than on the Uni, hence the slower charging with the same amount of power).

You can't turn the MD off. However (if you don't have a powered hub), you can turn the brightness of the screen down whilst on external power and, hey presto, it will charge faster.;)

Yes, this sounds like a problem we had before with the universal. Turning off wifi and backlight after a few minutes of inactivity; turning brightness down to very low (next to lowest level) on external power, improves it. In fact, my ameo is now fully charged on usb. Not very fast though.

I did get a scenario using TTN 6 when it did go off in the car. The battery charger didn't seem to be doing much good. So for long distance navigation, I'd recommend fully charging your device before you leave.

[QAN]

I have a Veripart Car Charger mini usb that I use in my car when I use TomTom. I have the brightness at maximum, UMTS on, Push-mail on and I make phone calls. And still is has more power when I reach my destination.

[apd]

... I have the lightning at maximum....

Sounds like a stormy ride!

[docraj]

The power consumption is because of the MD and the screen (which is much larger than on the Uni, hence the slower charging with the same amount of power).

You can't turn the MD off. However (if you don't have a powered hub), you can turn the brightness of the screen down whilst on external power and, hey presto, it will charge faster.;)

Hi apd

What is MD? Cheers

[dieterpapa]

May be by using a powered USB Hub would make it charged. I'm going to try it tonight and will post the outcome soon.

will not do better - already tested....

dieter

[cayotte]

will not do better - already tested....

dieter

May be you should use a better powered USB Hub (1 A perhaps).

[dieterpapa]

Using a 6V 2100mA...

However, this may be depending on the usage of W-Lan. Seems to me that W-Lan needs a lot of power when switched on.
Wit W-Lan "On" there is nearly no charging at all.

Dieter

[cayotte]

Using a 6V 2100mA...

However, this may be depending on the usage of W-Lan. Seems to me that W-Lan needs a lot of power when switched on.
Wit W-Lan "On" there is nearly no charging at all.

Dieter

How about charging while turning off the W-Lan? No charging at all too? Mine get charged. Only it's not as good as compared to using supplied power adaptor.

[jlingo]

Hi apd

What is MD? Cheers

MD is MicroDrive.
But I think the Microdrive should sleep itself when unused though. I would be surprised if MD in Athena is continuously spinning.

[docraj]

MD is MicroDrive.
But I think the Microdrive should sleep itself when unused though. I would be surprised if MD in Athena is continuously spinning.

Thanks jlingo, appreciate your clarification.

[lbendlin]

I think the supplied wall charger is underpowered too. It only provides 1 Ampere, and is unable to charge the Athena on full brightness and with WiFi on. They should have supplied a 2A charger.

[jlingo]

I think the supplied wall charger is underpowered too. It only provides 1 Ampere, and is unable to charge the Athena on full brightness and with WiFi on. They should have supplied a 2A charger.

Ok this is what I do nowadays in the office.
I no longer use USB to continously connect to the laptop anymore.
Instead, I use Bluetooth to stay connected with my T60 while letting my U1000 continuously charged to the power outlet.

[cayotte]

Ok this is what I do nowadays in the office.
I no longer use USB to continously connect to the laptop anymore.
Instead, I use Bluetooth to stay connected with my T60 while letting my U1000 continuously charged to the power outlet.

Whenever there's tough problem, there's always a way to solve it. The good thing is that this time the solution is so simple yet smart. Thanks, Bro.

[helionce]

will not do better - already tested....

dieter

I guess if the Hub is signal connected the device might be too intelligent to charge. Because the USB say no more than 500mA and the standard imply that the host can stop the device if it drain too much. If I open the power property, checking out that most of the time it shows 2 mA. At the same time the battery meter runs down in few hours. I think 2 mA is not able to balance even minmium consumption. But sometimes I view 100mA, while it charges slowly.

I tried disconnecting the cord from the host and remained the Hub's power on, then it seems to start charge. The device is lightening all time and it looks slower than using power adapter. I think in this case the USB cable is no more than a power cord.

[techntrek]

There are other threads here that discuss the need to short one of the pins to enable fast charging. This should help.