Very Computer

:     I got an HP200 LX at Staples last week and it's getting close to the time
: to change the batteries for the first time.  So I've got at couple of questions.

: - can I leave the AC adapter plugged in while changing the batteries?  The
:   manual says to turn the machine off, but doesn't mention the adapter.

I'm not sure what you're asking here.  The AC adapter MUST be plugged in to
charge the batteries.  You can operate the computer while it is charging.
In fact, you cannot turn it OFF while it is charging.

: - can I put new (uncharged) NiCd batteries in and charge them in the HP200 or
:   do they need to be charged the first time externally?

I was successful buying Hi-Capacity Radio Shack Nicads (850mA) and plugging
them in and charging them.  If they are in fact totally dead, others have
reported problems. (but that was not my experience.)

: - the standard charge rate for NiCd batteries (at least the Panasonic
:   NiCd's in the Digi-Key) catalog seems to be 1/10 for the capacity.  That is
:   a 500 mAh cell needs 50 mA for the standard charge.  Given the HP200's
:   100/45 mA charging rate can I use the high capacity cells like the 900 mAh?
:   Any recomendations on specific cells which work well?

I have had no problems using 850mA batteries with the standard HP AC adapter.

: - I gather from the discussion on batteries that the correct strategy for
:   using NiCd's is to not have the HP200 charging when plugged in as the
:   default, wait for the low battery warning and then set it to charge and
:   leave it charging over night (~12 hrs).  Does this seem to be a reasonable
:   plan?

I use mine daily (usually off of AC power.)  Once a week I switch it to charge
mode for the 8 hours I'm at work.  It's never died yet.  I carry extra  
alkalines just in case but have never had to use them.  I have read many
technical articles that say the "memory effect" for nicads is impossible to
see in normal use.  The way most nicads life is reduced is by over-charging.
So don't charge the batteries every day (although this may be OK for NiMH's).

Just my own non-expert opinion (not my empoyer's).

-- Jim

    I got an HP200 LX at Staples last week and it's getting close to the time
to change the batteries for the first time.  So I've got at couple of questions.

- can I leave the AC adapter plugged in while changing the batteries?  The
  manual says to turn the machine off, but doesn't mention the adapter.

- can I put new (uncharged) NiCd batteries in and charge them in the HP200 or
  do they need to be charged the first time externally?

- the standard charge rate for NiCd batteries (at least the Panasonic
  NiCd's in the Digi-Key) catalog seems to be 1/10 for the capacity.  That is
  a 500 mAh cell needs 50 mA for the standard charge.  Given the HP200's
  100/45 mA charging rate can I use the high capacity cells like the 900 mAh?
  Any recomendations on specific cells which work well?

- I gather from the discussion on batteries that the correct strategy for
  using NiCd's is to not have the HP200 charging when plugged in as the
  default, wait for the low battery warning and then set it to charge and
  leave it charging over night (~12 hrs).  Does this seem to be a reasonable
  plan?

   Thanks for your assistance.

Jonathan

-------------------------------------------------------------------
|  Jonathan Sivier               |  Ballo ergo sum.               |

|  Flight Simulation Lab         |              - des Cartwright  |
|  Beckman Institute             |                                |
|  405 N. Mathews                |  SWMDG - Single White Male     |
|  Urbana, IL  61801             |          Dance Gypsy           |
|  Work: 217/244-1923            |                                |
|  Home: 217/359-8225            |  Have shoes, will dance.       |
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:

>- can I leave the AC adapter plugged in while changing the batteries?  The
>  manual says to turn the machine off, but doesn't mention the adapter.

 The lithium backup battery will maintain the memory while you change the
AA cells

Quote:>- can I put new (uncharged) NiCd batteries in and charge them in the HP200 or

  Yep!

Quote:>- the standard charge rate for NiCd batteries (at least the Panasonic
>  NiCd's in the Digi-Key) catalog seems to be 1/10 for the capacity.  That is
>  a 500 mAh cell needs 50 mA for the standard charge.  Given the HP200's
>  100/45 mA charging rate can I use the high capacity cells like the 900 mAh?
>  Any recomendations on specific cells which work well?

  The Radio Shack HI CAPACITY batteries work fine.  There's several
workarounds to the charging rate problem, including an external charger
(popular with Ni-MH cells).  I usually just plug it in Friday evening,
then unplug/plug the adapter before I hit the sack to get a second round
of high current charging.

Quote:>- I gather from the discussion on batteries that the correct strategy for
>  using NiCd's is to not have the HP200 charging when plugged in as the
>  default, wait for the low battery warning and then set it to charge and
>  leave it charging over night (~12 hrs).  Does this seem to be a reasonable
>  plan?

  Reasonable to me....

Cheers,
  Bob

I fooled around with NiCds for a couple of months and then finally
switched to lithium batteries. My life life re the 200lx is much
simpler now. The 200lx also weighs a lot less with the lithiums.
--


Fort Wayne, IN          Or else access http://www.mixi.net/~feustel/
219-483-1857                    

Quote:>I fooled around with NiCds for a couple of months and then finally
>switched to lithium batteries. My life life re the 200lx is much
>simpler now. The 200lx also weighs a lot less with the lithiums.

Do you know anything about cost per hour and environmental hazards of these
two battery types?

I think there are more factors then the convenience (much nicer mit LI) and
weight, but I don't have enough information to come to a personal conclusion.

'lexu
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Alexander Gutfeldt,    EDV Beauftragter,       Immatrikulationsdienste|
|------------------------------------------------------------+ Uni Bern|
|Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland (office)  +---------|
|Landoltstrasse 28, CH-3007 Bern, Switzerland (home)                   |

+----------------------------------------------------------------------+