Battery Dying

[krispy]

Guess it had to happen sometime, but I didn't think this soon. My T3 battery isn't holding out as long as it used to. My commute is two hours each way and I do the same stuff on my fully charged T3 each time. (Listen to MP3's and read Avantgo/Mobipocket news.) I've noticed the percentage left after each trip gradually dwindle. It has reached the point where the unit shuts itself off due to low battery, somewhere around 25%. When I first bought in October, it was in the 80's after a trip. I believe it's time Palm comes out with a replacement plan. (Or someone else...)

[eurisko]

Welcome to the dirty little secret about Lith-Ion batteries.

The AVERAGE life for most LithIon batteries is 18 months. Many last much longer than that, some much less. This is the same issue that is hitting the Apple iPod's. Most are all dying between 12 months to 18 months in age.

At least the T3 can have it's battery replaced.

www.palmbattery.com

Lith-Ion batteries (unlike NmHD or NiCad) last the longest if they are charged to full constantly. They are best to let totally recharge to FULL before using again (which is frustrating since Palm doesn't have a battery charge indicator unless you remove it from the cradle. Lith-Ion also will end up with a shorter life span each time you drain it below 5-8% life.

They don't have the memory issue of previous battery types, but still have their own unique issues.

[krispy]

www.palmbattery.com is U.S./Canada only. Any other sources that ship overseas? Also, I kept my T3 fully charged, (i.e. overnight/throughout my workday), between my uses, but it's lifespan still dropped off, so 5 months doesn't cut it, IMHO.

[eurisko]

I agree, 5 months is to short. I would contact Palm and ask for a repair or replacement.

There are several ways you can go about this, considering it's still under a bit of warranty:

1.) Contact Palm, get a cross shipped Palm. (Cons: Costs money, and you get a refurb model that may have other issues)

2.) Contact Palm, send in your old one for repair, hold your breath and wait. You can also find a store that lets you return PDA's 30 days or longer later, buy a temp replacement till yours comes back, then return the store bought one.

3.) Buy a new on at the store, return the old one back to same store the next day.

Not saying #2 or #3 are ethical at all, but, sometimes it's still nice to know your options.

[krispy]

I contacted Palm on this issue; just waiting on reply. I am overseas and I managed to buy my T3 via a company that unfortunately doesn't recognize the warrenty on overseas orders, so I'm screwed there. Just want to be able to fix this, or have someone else do it... (A life without my Palm is not an option!)

[JohnKes]

Just to be sure it is not a problem with the charge limit setting, do an In-Cradle Reset:
http://205.141.210.148/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE/,/?St=47,E=0000000000414554043,K=3277,Sxi=3,useTemplate=Case.tem,CASE=887

Eurisko is right, though, Li-Ion batteries lose capacity after about 18 mo. My Prism went from 10 hours a charge (new), to 6 hours last year, to 5 hours this year :(

[krispy]

Palm support is a joke! Here is the reply to my problem as stated in my original post:

"Thank you for writing palmOne Customer Care.

This is Balaji and I am responding with regard to your Palm Tungsten T3 Handheld.

I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to you. I understand that you are facing problems with battery your handheld. I have enclosed a few steps below which you need to follow to resolve the issue.

Initially Charge the Handheld for about 4 hours and try to Power On.

If this does not work perform a Soft Reset as follows:

Use the tip of an unfolded paper clip (or similar object without a sharp tip), to gently press the reset button inside the hole on the back panel of your handheld.

If this does not work, Perform a Hard Reset:

Note: Performing a hard reset erases all data on your handheld. We suggest performing a HotSync® operation to back up all data to your computer first. If you are unable to synchronize, or you want to make a backup copy of your handheld User information, to the following:........

.....With these steps and procedures, we believe that this concern would not occur again,

However, if this concern remains unresolved. Please feel free to write back to us."

[eurisko]

Actually, their answer was half right.

Do as JohnKes stated, do a soft reset with the palm IN the cradle after you have fully charged your Palm. Believe it or not, it's not an uncommon issue.

[krispy]

Okay, I did an in-cradle reset. I'll report back in a day or two on my percentages. Thanks all...

[krispy]

Well, to rule out bad apps, I did a cradle hard reset. (After a good backup.) I reloaded only Avantgo and Plucker, which I read on my trips. I found no increase in my battery life. Guess it's going.... I really need a source for a replacement battery that will ship to Japan !!!

[MS Ano]

Hi, I am Japanese in Tokyo. Regarding your replacement battery, here is the shop that replace a battery; PDA KoBo (http://www.pdakobo.com) in Okayama pref.

But the devices that they'll change it are NOT Tungsten T3, but CLIE PEG-S500 / N700 / N750 / N600 / NR70 / NR70V / NX60 / NX70V / T400 / T600C / T650C…A �œPalm IIIc / V / Vx / m500 / m505 / m515…A / WorkPad c3 / WorkPad c505 / Tungsten C / Tungsten W…A �œHandspring Treo 90 / Treo 180…A…A �œFujitsu PocketLOOX.

I suggest you have a contact to them. They might change their mind. I hope... : )

[krispy]

Thanks, but looking at their site, I would rather have a DIY solution. All the stateside sources come with instructions on changing the battery yourself.

[Ascarias]

So lemme get this right ...

I always thought that it was a good thing to every now and then, let the batter go down completely (to 0% that is) and then recharge it full after that.

It's actually a booboo on the battery to ever go below that what did you say ... 5-8%?

[eurisko]

Correct. Lith-Ion batteries are happier constantly charged. Fully discharging them will actually shorten their life span.

[krispy]

To follow up on another thread I have been working on, I was informed to check with PDASmart for a replacement. I've been in contact with PDASmart about the replacement battery. I was contacted today and I have good news and bad. They have a replacement, but in their words:

"Thanks. I do have stock and they run 40.00 per battery. The size is only 50mah more than the factory."

I'm still ordering, as mine is dying, but longer life will probably not be there...

[krispy]

All is not lost!!! I did a followup email with PDASmart inquiring about the 1200mAh version. Here's the reply:

"It is in the works. They are not completed yet. It might be a month before I get them done."

I'm going to hold off for now on purchasing the one they have now.

Let's all cross our fingers....

[ackmondual]

Originally posted by Ascarias
So lemme get this right ...

I always thought that it was a good thing to every now and then, let the batter go down completely (to 0% that is) and then recharge it full after that.

It's actually a booboo on the battery to ever go below that what did you say ... 5-8%?

Follow the manual instructions (assuming it came with any that talk about battery life). I have friends who say that their cell phone manuals actually say that the batteries will last longer if u let it fully discharge (as much as possible) BEFORE u recharge them again. Not sure about the type of rechargeable battery was for those phones tho.

For The Visor Prisms, as well as many other PDAs, Handspring, PalmOne, as well as other sources will tell u it's best to top off your charge and keep it topped off to extend the life of your batteries.

Bottom line, It really depends on the device, battery type, and what the manual says (if anything) about it.

[Simon Rowland]

Battery Care...

For Lithium (Li-ion) batteries, uset eh battery as little as possible. You should not discharge it fully, as doing so slightly reduces the lifetime of the battery. Lithium batteries will last for perhaps 200 charges, and less if you discharge them fully.

Try to recharge your battery before it gets below 20% charge.

Only Nickel Cadmium NiCd batteries and some older technologies need to be discharged fully to be able to keep a full charge.

It's wise to search the Web for information on battery care, as the manufacture of batteries is extremely toxic and hazardous to the environment, so it's your responsibility not to waste the battery through misuse.

[eurisko]

Simon is very correct. Older battery types would last longer by constantly fully discharging them prior to recharging fully. However, both lith-ion and Poly type Lith-ion batteries both have shortened life-spans from full discharges.

[JohnKes]

Here is good info on batteries:
http://www.buchmann.ca/faq.asp


Simon Rowland is right - I charge my Prism (Li-Ion) often, and it has been working well for over 2 years. I run down my shaver (NiCd) every time before I charge, and it has been working well for over 12 years.