Ethan,
your problem is the wrong power adaptor, since the adaptor output voltage is
most probably too low (you should check this with a program like BattTrax -
where current AND voltage is displayed) it cannot drive a sufficient
charging current.
Thats also why the program (dashboards battery monitor) is not able to
determine the charge mode -> ???
Displaying "alkaline" while having no battery inserted at all is just a
little bug, if you wish. It results from querying a simple connection that
is made from the NiMh battery pack and NOT with the alkaline battery tray.
Thus the type of battery is determined. So if there is no battery inserted
at all this connection is open -> and thus alkaline is displayed.
Just one warning: be very careful if you choose another non-Apple power
adaptor, it should be current limited to 1.5 Amps. max and voltage regulated
to 7.5V max. And keep in mind that the data written on the adaptor do not
necessarily match with what is really coming out of it. (usually the output
voltage under low or no load condition is higher than specified and the
voltage under full load is usually lower than specified)
Johannes
> [mailto:newtontalk-bounce_at_newtontalk.net]On Behalf Of Ethan Clark
> Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 9:41 PM
> Subject: [NTLK] Battery/Adapter Issues
> I have an upgraded 2000 that I just bought on eBay that seems (to
> me) to be behaving strangely. I have yet to be able to charge a
> set of Ni-MH batteries in it. While the MessagePad is plugged
> into the power adapter, it says it's charging, but nothing seems
> to happen with the batteries. Dashboad's battery monitor says
> "???" under Charge Status, and when I remove the battery pack, it
> says it's running from the adapter, but displays "Alkaline" as
> the battery type, and "Discharging" under Charge status.
> Having just recieved the unit a couple of days ago, I'm not sure
> what the problem is, or if it's even with the newton itself.
> Should I just buy a new battery pack and/or external charger? Is
> my unit just damaged?
>
> Also, the unit used to run from batteries just fine, until the
> pack died. Now it reports that it is charging (and the charge
> level goes up), but as soon as I remove the adapter plug, the Newton dies.
>
> I am using a 6v, 800mA power adapter, just for the record. Should
> this be different?
>
> Thanks,
> Ethan
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