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cmotek24
03-24-2003, 09:32 PM
Sup guys and gals!
My 710 had been dead for two weeks. It wouldn't hold charge anymore. I was expecting it, seeing how I have had this the first week it was out couple years ago. I searched for days for either a new replacement battery or a moderately used battery, but I wasn't very successful. And I wasn't ready to send it to Sony until I tried something myself. After also searching a handful of forums and not finding an answer, I decided to alleviate the problem the same way I did my cell phone battery. I had a new cell phone, but didn't let it charge overnight on the first charge, so after 6 months, it wouldn't hold a charge for more than a day, even on standby. So this is what I did for the Clie.

1.) I dissembled the Clie and removed the battery. I found a detailed site on the removal somewhere online.

2.) I wrapped the battery in plastic. I suggest a Zip-lock bag. I didn't have one.

3.) I then placed the battery in my freezer for 4 days. During that time, I decided the paint my Clie black. (This is optional) I work in a medical school lab, so I was considering freezing the battery in cryogenic tanks (liquid nitrogen tanks). But since this has worked, there is no need. But if you can get a colder freezer, the better.

4.) I then re-installed the battery and let it charge for 12 hours as if it was a new battery. Condensation is not going to be a problem because even if a little water collects around the battery, there is now circuits nearby to damage. Just keep it either on it's back. I don't put it on the cradle because I fear that I might accidentally push the HOTSYNC button. That would bring failure to the whole process.

5.) Next day, I pushed the power, and VOILA! it turned on without the A/C adapter. Then I played with it for 30 minutes, and the battery level was still at FULL. Two days later, it is still going.

I'm not sure if everyone knows this, so it could be no big deal, but I didn't see anything like this online, so I though this might help.

My basis for trying this was that I "believed" that I could reverse the chemical reaction to its original state when new. Of course, it won't be 100% effecient, because a little bit of energy is being lost everytime it is being used/ charged from heat. I don't know the chemical make-up of the Clie battery, but I gave it a try anyway. Even if this will only hold a charge for a week, then that's fine with me. I'd rather recharge often than pay the $150 for a new battery. (Since I'm a college student).

I'm on day three and it still is full. I haven't used it too much, but like I said before, the Clie woulddn't turn on even with an overnight charge before I did this freezer procedure. The only problems I had was that the backlight now doesn't work. I think I damaged it when I was installing everything back on.

I'll keep updating as new things emerge. Peace... in the EAST... :)

CMo

cmotek24
03-25-2003, 04:30 PM
*Update*
Day 5: If anyone is curious, the Clie is still going strong. I'm actually really surprised by this. Am I the only one still using the orignal battery?

If anyone else had tried this and worked, I want to hear about it.

Ppeace
CMo

Mastervtec
03-25-2003, 11:03 PM
That is awesome, my sister has a N710C and it goes dead after maybe 2 hours of use, I think I will try this. Can you give me the link that tells me how to safely remove the screen and such or whatever has to be remove?

Peloquin
03-27-2003, 10:16 AM
My Clié is still on it's original battery with no sign of wear. My wife's N610 is not quite as long lasting as mine, but then again, she doesn't charge as religiously as I do so it could be User Error (much like her Cell Phone, had to buy her an extra battery for her phone because she never remembers to charge it :p ).

cmotek24
03-27-2003, 04:04 PM
I searched google and found a couple of good write-ups.

http://www.cliebattery.com/clie760install.htm

it's pretty straight foward.

I've been using it now and it is still full battery. Now I'm getting a little skeptical because I'm use to it performing like new. But it is still working, and that is all that matters.

MASTERvtec: post back after you try it on your sisters and tell me if it worked.

Peloquin: how long have you had it? I used mine sporadically, so I figured that's why mine lasted this long.

CMo

partialresponse
04-09-2003, 02:23 PM
This talk about batteries.....I had no idea they were a problem with these devices. I have have had my N760C for 10 months and the battery still appears to hold a charge for a reasonable length of time. How long have your batteries lasted? Is it better to charge frequently or less frequently?

Kofi

partialresponse
04-09-2003, 02:52 PM
This talk about batteries.....I had no idea they were a problem with these devices. I have have had my N760C for 10 months and the battery still appears to hold a charge for a reasonable length of time. How long have your batteries lasted? Is it better to charge frequently or less frequently?

Kofi

DanT
04-09-2003, 06:21 PM
There is a post about battery usage (just search for "battery" in this site). Basically it boils down to the more frequent you charge it, the longer it will last. I still use the original battery for 18 months now. Most of the time I do not go below 60%.

I took my N760C apart one day because I couldn't stand seeing the dust under the screen any longer (see the post in this forum). To clean the dust and seal the screen, I had to unplug the battery. It is a pretty easy job. You just need to pay attention on how you unplug the ribbon cables. Most of the connections have locking pin that you can lift it up with your finger nail or a knife tip. Before you slide the ribbon cable off, pay attention to the ribbon cable positions, whether they are on top or below the lock. Otherwise you may be panic to see you get white screen (at least I did) or else, after you put it back together. That happened to me just because I did not reconnect one of the ribbon cable correctly, so I had to take the Clie apart again and reposition the connection. The Clie now looks like what I remember seeing 18 months ago, no dust! :D

woofytexan
04-14-2003, 10:31 AM
I have been having problems with my 760C as well. I will not charge past 5%, even with a direct cable connection instead of the cradle. So, following the link to remove the battery supplied by CMOTEK24, the battery is now in the freezer. I hope this works. If not, I will be purchasing a new battery from laptopforless.com.
Any suggestions on how long the battery needs to remain in the freezer? I am not a chemist and cannot recall how long it takes for chemical reactions to become inert. Chemistry 101 was back in '83 and I did not pay too much attention in class. :D

McCarlie
04-16-2003, 10:58 AM
The replacement batteries for the N series clies are available from this site

http://www.cliebattery.com/

DanT
04-16-2003, 04:07 PM
:cool: Thanks. I might need that in one of these days.