From: Manuel Dejonghe <limbus_at_gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 14:16:20 +0200

Hi Kyle,

the adaptor is likely to be a problem to the batteries than to the
device itself.
(see http://rockbox.haxx.se/twiki/bin/view/Main/BatteryFAQ#Q10_Can_I_use_a_different_charge).
If due to the power fluctuations, it may be the adaptor delivers more
than 12V which may heat up the regulator. This regulator saves the
batteries from getting charged with too much power, but heats up, and
the heat may damage other things.
If the problem was solved before with new batteries, then I would say
you unit is in a good shape.
You should try to conditioner your new set of batteries (3 cycles of
complete charge and discharge with your favorite charger (your new
adapter) and your favorite discharger (rockbox running all night
long).

Furthermore, you have to know rockbox only predicts how long the
batteries will last. First of all, this is based on the
capacity-setting (see menu->general->system->battery iIrc) and the way
rockbox developer think you are using it. If you keep the backlight on
or the disk spinning more than usual (games, constant browsing), it
will drain the batteries more than expected.

Last but not least, iIrc, the charging only starts a few seconds (40)
or a minute after having plugged in the adaptor if it's been charging
or switched on (very) lately.

I hope that helps you a small bit,
    manuel

On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 03:44:10 -0700 (PDT), Kyle McGee
<mcgee_kyle_at_yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hello -
>
> I have a Archos recorder 20 and now I have some big
> problems.
>
> I live in India and have for the last 3 years. I have
> used the recorder here and in Nepal, but the batteries
> have consistently given me problems.
>
> First, they last only a few hours. Even with the
> software indicating that there are 10 hours left, the
> recorder will surely last only a few hours.
>
> Second, the batteries have died now twice. The message
> on the screen indicates 'not charging' when I plug it
> in and the adaptor seems to be fine. The unit with
> other adaptors also indicates the same message. This
> happened in Kathmandu (Nepal)first and I replaced the
> batteries with the same brand only a higher MA (1800).
> They have now died in India. I can not replace the
> batteries here, but I will have to wait until I reach
> a big city like Calcutta or maybe Bangkok.
>
> The original adaptor that I got was for US voltage, so
> I bought a local adaptor in India that is 12 Volts and
> 500ma.
>
> Could the adaptor be the source of the problems? The
> power often fluctuates here. Could this be ruining the
> batteries?
>
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Received on 2004-08-30