Chargeing the iPAQ through the USB

[Luciano U. Werner]

In the link below this guy shows how to charge your iPAQ through the USB cable. To me it makes some sense, but I'm no expert. Does anybody know if it'll work without (obviously) damage to the baterry?<br>I'm intrested in this because if I can charge the iPAQ this way, I won't need to buy a second power source.<br><br>Thanks for the feedback.

[Matt Keys]

I think Chris just ordered one of these.

[Luciano U. Werner]

There's a guy at Brigthand selling them (it's called Sync'N'Charge) at http://www.datanywhere.com/newalusbauta.html.<br>The link I posted above was about using your own USB cable (just needs some soldering).<br>Matt, do you think it would work?

[Dan East]

I don't see how it could damage your battery. Electrons are electrons, regardless of their source. As long as the amperage and voltage are within spec, everything is cool. I assume that the product you're talking about regulates the voltage, or the USB standard already falls within the range the iPaq requires.<br><br>Dan East

[Luciano U. Werner]

Dan, I think I wasn't clear enough: I'm asking if there's no harm in doing that using your OWN cable.<br>The guy at that ipaq.secret.org.uk site shows how to do that by soldering a wire on the plug (after taking it apart) of the USB cradle's cord. You don't need to buy nothing (you use your original cable).<br>He posted some pictures and it seemed a walk in the park to do the necessary modifications to the plug.

[Dan East]

Hmm. If you're concerned then you can find the USB specs and see what voltage and amperage it provides. I did some quick searching, and it looks like 5v DC at 500mA. Next check Compaq's site for their specs to find the acceptable power supply ranges for the iPaq. If it requires more than 500mA (which would probably occur during charging), then it could damage your PC / Laptop.<br><br>Dan East

[Luciano U. Werner]

The guy that made the Sync'N'Charge (he sells a cable that charges the iPAQ through the USB) says that in his cable there's no regulator. He's selling them since a week ago and all the reports I've read from customers are positive. So I think the USB port and the iPAQ can take the load with a smile.<br>About the specs, I've read that the USB delivers a minimum of 500mA, so the iPAQ's baterry could be charged (in theory, at least). Some other guys were even asking about using the Sync'N'Charge AND the normal cable to charge a dual sleave faster (I wouldn't go that far).

[Moose or Chuck]

It will take 4 times as long to charge your battery according to those specs of 500mA and 5V. But that's what I'm thinking they are too... So I don't see why it's so hard to just plug your iPaq into your cradle. Is the iPaq cradle really messed up or something?

[Luciano U. Werner]

The cradle is fine. I wanted to know if this stunt would work so that I didn't need to plug in the cradle when I wanted to recharge the ipAQ (and I could use my original cable elsewhere).<br>I thought so too that it would charge but it would take longer. Do you know if I could use it this way with:<br>1 - the PC on<br>2 - the iPAQ on<br>3 - the PC and the iPAQ on (and syncining)

[Moose or Chuck]

The cradle with my Casio has a seperate cord to charge the battery that goes into one of those power in ports on my Casio. It's totally seperate. If I don't want to sync and only want to charge I take the cord out of the cradle and plug it directly into my Casio. I can also take it on a trip with me, instead of this huge cradle thing. Why would it be any different? Or is this another one of those low points about the iPaq?

[Luciano U. Werner]

Oh geez...<br>There's nothing wrong with my cable or cradle or the iPAQ (yes, it has a separte port to be charged conecting the power cable directly without the cradle).<br>I want a SECOND cable. If I don't need to use the one that came with the iPAQ (because when it's on the cradle it would be charged through the USB), I could use the original cable in my office and wouldn't need to buy a second one.<br><br>Wow, is my English that bad?

[jongjungbu]

Nope. I understood you the first time Werner. But I thought it was entertaining to just lurk for a while.