From: Chris Holt <amiga2k_at_cox.net>
Date: Sun, 30 Nov 2003 02:43:07 -0500

On Sat, 29 Nov 2003 15:14:50 -0800, Jon Drukman wrote:
> At 09:28 AM 11/29/2003, Chris Holt wrote:
>> NiMh batteries have a limited number of charge cycles, but do not
>> suffer any substantial "memory effect" like NiCads do. How old is
>> your JBR20, and how many cycles would you estimate you have put on
>> the batteries?
>>
>
> my jbr20 is around 8 months old and the batteries have been
> charged/depleted less than 100 times. maybe even less than 50. the
> only thing i wonder about is for the first 6 months or so i left the
> JBR connected to the charger almost 100% of the time. does that hurt
> the batteries?

Assuming you were using the Archos firmware, which has no trickle charge
or deep discharge function like rockbox, yes, you could have significantly
shortened the cycle life of the OEM batteries, in my opinion.

>> Regardless, they are quite inexpensive to replace with much higher
>> capacity cells. Energizer 2100mah AA cells are going for less than
>> $10 a 4 pack in stores like WalMart, KMart etc.
>>
>
> i actually have a bunch of 2100mah "iPower" cells lying around. i'll
> try them out.
>
>> It's on the end of your thumb. :) You see the notches in the
>> faceplate on either side of the F1, F2 and F3 buttons? Place your
>> thumbnail (or a small bladed screwdriver if you are a biter) into the
>> notch and pry upward and outward. The battery covers, once freed,
>> will slide straight up out of the unit, giving you access to the
>> batteries.
>>
>
> brilliant. i had no idea, i thought you had to unscrew the unit!
> thanks for the tip. i'm going to replace the stock batteries with my
> 2100mah cells and we'll see how that works out.

hehe I think almost everyone's attention is drawn to the torx screws in
the side of the case at first. I wonder how many people have removed
them, the faceplate and bumpers, only to find that the battery covers
simply snap right off. Some things just seem to be hidden in plain sight!

Chris
Received on 2003-11-30