[comp.sys.handhelds] Batteries

jc@atcmp.nl (Jan Christiaan van Winkel) (04/11/90)

From article <1990Apr9.174729.8030@laguna.ccsf.caltech.edu>, by madler@piglet.caltech.edu (Mark Adler):
> There is actually one more interesting observation---I am now getting
> LowBat(S) Warning.  This testing involved approximately 24 hours of
> continuous running (done automatically over a few nights---control
> alarms are pretty neat).  I remember my HP-28S batteries lasting over
> a year, but then I didn't run any programs like this either.

I know this has been discussed for the HP28 here before, but how about
using NiCad AAA batteries in the HP48? I use NiCad recargeable batteries
in a programmable remote control unit that really eats Alkaline batteries
(4 in about a month). Using Nicad's saves a lot of money, and it saves the 
environment too!
Any comments?
--
Jan Christiaan van Winkel              Tel: +31 80 566880     jc@atcmp.nl
AT Computing       P.O. Box 1428       6501 BK Nijmegen       The Netherlands

ESH101@psuvm.psu.edu (Eric Hvozda) (04/11/90)

In article <587@atcmpe.atcmp.nl>, jc@atcmp.nl (Jan Christiaan van Winkel) says:
>I know this has been discussed for the HP28 here before, but how about
>using NiCad AAA batteries in the HP48? I use NiCad recargeable batteries

Form what I heard about the HP28 eating those alive I would forget it.  However
has anyone ever thought of Silver Oxide batteries?  That is what I use in my
HP11C and HP16C and I rarely change them.  If I use Alkalines in them, the
batteries are dead within a few days. :(

It's as if they (Alkalines) just have no staying power.

-=-=-
Ack!

steveh@hpcvra.CV.HP.COM (Steve Harper) (04/12/90)

Using nicad AAA batteries in the HP48 will work just fine,
however they have somewhat less capacity than alkalines.
Only one little thing to watch out for:
Alkalines have a roughly linear discharge curve.  This 
means that when you use alkalines and the low battery
indicator comes on, you have a relatively long time
(depends entirely on your type of usage - a few hours
for heavy run with IO to several months with no use
at all) to change batteries.  Nicads, however, have a
rather sharp knee in the discharge curve.  Once they
hit the low battery warning, time is of the essence
(again, your mileage will vary...).

Steve Harper
"I do not recall having said that..."