505 died - should I fix or replace it?

BBRags · 04-04-2010, 07:38 PM

I can't believe it. One day it was working fine. Then a few weeks of no use. Now nothing. I tried recharging via the USB cable for 12 hours straight. Nothing.

I paid almost $400 for it and accessories over a year ago, so the warranty has expired. The new readers are cheaper. Even the Apple iPad, which I originally deemed not worthy as an upgrade from my 505, is looking more appealing.

What to do? I was considering an upgrade anyway, and the demise of my 550 only makes the purchase more urgent.

dreams · 04-04-2010, 07:48 PM

From various other member posts, it sounds like the battery completely died.

You need to do a full charge with an AC wall charger (through the yellow round hole on the 505). You can purchase a cheap PSP charger that will work.

Let us know how this works.

GraceKrispy · 04-04-2010, 08:44 PM

My first thought was the same as dreams (sheʻs so smart!)- if itʻs fully depleted, youʻll need to charge through the wall charger. The USB wonʻt always work to charge fully discharged batteries. Hope it still works!

pilotbob · 04-04-2010, 08:49 PM

What's a 550? Is that a new model?

BOb

BBRags · 04-04-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

What's a 550? Is that a new model?

BOb

I meant the 505. Sorry.

I don't own a PSP charger and really don't want to throw good money after bad. I have an Energizer Cell Phone charger that outputs 5VDC and rigged a cord that connects it to the 505 (see pic below). The charger is working, you can see the reader's red light is on.

If that doesn't work, I think I may junk it. Next time, I'll buy an extended warranty. It doesn't make sense to send it to sony for repair. A brand new Sony 900 goes for $400 and includes an AC adapter, zippered case, internet.

The big question is do I wait for Sony's response to the iPad?

rcuadro · 04-04-2010, 10:00 PM

Dont junk it! I may be able to put it to use. how much do you want for it? Send me a PM

Mike_73 · 04-05-2010, 06:14 AM

I wouldn't junk it either. At least it's good for spare parts.
If you are considering a new Sony reader, I would probably go for a PSP charger anyway just to see if it does the trick.

lilac_jive · 04-05-2010, 08:18 AM

PSP chargers are around $10, and it'll likely bring your Sony back to life.

Barthelemy · 04-05-2010, 10:58 AM

Does the picture above show your actual device?
Because I see red LED light which indicates that the device is charging.
If that's the case, wait for few hours and it should work again.

I had my screen stuck once, but resetting the device helped so I would try that as well, don't give up so easily.

BBRags · 04-05-2010, 04:21 PM

Update: reader is running!!!! I fully recharged the 505 and tried turning it on. Didn't work. Then I pressed the reset button and flicked the on switch several times, and then the 505's LED flashed yellow and the screen came up.

I didn't think it had frozen earlier because the USB recharge wasn't working and because the screen was totally blank (it didn't freeze during the start up cycle).

Thanks everyone for the help!!!!

Mike_73 · 04-05-2010, 04:53 PM

I'm happy for you

BBRags · 04-06-2010, 06:30 AM

Thanks Mike. I wasn't ready to dip into my piggy bank for a new reader.

Should I post any info about my Energizer cellphone charger mod? Is it obvious what I did? The charger has been discontinued; some dealers may have it in stock. It makes nifty pocket charger for the 505 (and the newer models if they use 5V).

Worldwalker · 04-06-2010, 12:24 PM

I'm interested in information on that charger of yours. I finally treated myself to the Sony charger for Christmas because my 505 wants more current than the usual el-cheapo charger can supply. As we're now a two-Reader family, a second (and more affordable) charger would be good.

BBRags · 04-06-2010, 04:03 PM

"I finally treated myself to the Sony charger for Christmas because my 505 wants more current than the usual el-cheapo charger can supply"

Cellphone AC adapters are small and lightweight, but they can output almost an amp of current. If the phone actually draws that much current, the cell charger has to provide it.

I put up a post on how to mod the charger later today or tomorrow. I have to take some pics.

BBRags · 04-08-2010, 02:46 AM

Before preparing a write-up about how to convert the cellphone charger for use with a 505 reader, I stopped by an Office Depot store to see if they had any more chargers in stock. I got one several months ago from them on closeout for $15 ($20 retail).

Well, I went in, found them and immediately bought TWO MORE Energizer chargers because they were $1 EACH!!!!!!!!!!!! It's worth $1 for the two lithium AA cells that are included. I'm attaching a picture as proof. If you're near an Office Depot, it might be worth a trip to see if they have any left. The store in San Carlos (California) had 2 more in the closeout bins.

The chargers are for Motorola phones, but I don't think it matters what phone, because they appear to all have the same charging unit, only different cables. The chargers all output 5VDC (I believe). In any case, Motorola phones charge at 5V.

More information about the Energizer chargers here. I'll try to post instructions on how to modify the cell charger tomorrow or the day after.

04-04-2010, 07:38 PM	#1
BBRags Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 12 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: None	505 died - should I fix or replace it? I can't believe it. One day it was working fine. Then a few weeks of no use. Now nothing. I tried recharging via the USB cable for 12 hours straight. Nothing. I paid almost $400 for it and accessories over a year ago, so the warranty has expired. The new readers are cheaper. Even the Apple iPad, which I originally deemed not worthy as an upgrade from my 505, is looking more appealing. What to do? I was considering an upgrade anyway, and the demise of my 550 only makes the purchase more urgent. Last edited by BBRags; 04-04-2010 at 09:30 PM.

04-06-2010, 04:03 PM	#14
BBRags Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 12 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: None	"I finally treated myself to the Sony charger for Christmas because my 505 wants more current than the usual el-cheapo charger can supply" Cellphone AC adapters are small and lightweight, but they can output almost an amp of current. If the phone actually draws that much current, the cell charger has to provide it. I put up a post on how to mod the charger later today or tomorrow. I have to take some pics. Last edited by BBRags; 04-06-2010 at 04:11 PM.

04-08-2010, 02:46 AM	#15
BBRags Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 12 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: None	Before preparing a write-up about how to convert the cellphone charger for use with a 505 reader, I stopped by an Office Depot store to see if they had any more chargers in stock. I got one several months ago from them on closeout for $15 ($20 retail). Well, I went in, found them and immediately bought TWO MORE Energizer chargers because they were $1 EACH!!!!!!!!!!!! It's worth $1 for the two lithium AA cells that are included. I'm attaching a picture as proof. If you're near an Office Depot, it might be worth a trip to see if they have any left. The store in San Carlos (California) had 2 more in the closeout bins. The chargers are for Motorola phones, but I don't think it matters what phone, because they appear to all have the same charging unit, only different cables. The chargers all output 5VDC (I believe). In any case, Motorola phones charge at 5V. More information about the Energizer chargers here. I'll try to post instructions on how to modify the cell charger tomorrow or the day after. Attached Thumbnails

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04-04-2010, 07:48 PM	#2
dreams It's about the umbrella Posts: 25,112 Karma: 56250158 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony 505\| K Fire \| KK 3G+Wi-Fi \| iPhone 3Gs \|Vista 32-bit Hm Prem w/FF	From various other member posts, it sounds like the battery completely died. You need to do a full charge with an AC wall charger (through the yellow round hole on the 505). You can purchase a cheap PSP charger that will work. Let us know how this works.

04-04-2010, 08:44 PM	#3
GraceKrispy It's Dr. Penguin now! Posts: 3,909 Karma: 4705733 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: (USA) Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)	My first thought was the same as dreams (sheʻs so smart!)- if itʻs fully depleted, youʻll need to charge through the wall charger. The USB wonʻt always work to charge fully discharged batteries. Hope it still works!

04-04-2010, 08:49 PM	#4
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	What's a 550? Is that a new model? BOb

04-04-2010, 10:00 PM	#6
rcuadro Wizard Posts: 1,686 Karma: 874275 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Device: Kindle DX	Dont junk it! I may be able to put it to use. how much do you want for it? Send me a PM

04-05-2010, 06:14 AM	#7
Mike_73 Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 1323 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-505, PRS-600, iPad 16GB Wifi, Kindle Voyage, Nexus 6, Razr HD	I wouldn't junk it either. At least it's good for spare parts. If you are considering a new Sony reader, I would probably go for a PSP charger anyway just to see if it does the trick.

04-05-2010, 08:18 AM	#8
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	PSP chargers are around $10, and it'll likely bring your Sony back to life.

04-05-2010, 10:58 AM	#9
Barthelemy Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: PRS-505	Does the picture above show your actual device? Because I see red LED light which indicates that the device is charging. If that's the case, wait for few hours and it should work again. I had my screen stuck once, but resetting the device helped so I would try that as well, don't give up so easily.

04-05-2010, 04:21 PM	#10
BBRags Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 12 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: None	Update: reader is running!!!! I fully recharged the 505 and tried turning it on. Didn't work. Then I pressed the reset button and flicked the on switch several times, and then the 505's LED flashed yellow and the screen came up. I didn't think it had frozen earlier because the USB recharge wasn't working and because the screen was totally blank (it didn't freeze during the start up cycle). Thanks everyone for the help!!!!

04-05-2010, 04:53 PM	#11
Mike_73 Guru Posts: 750 Karma: 1323 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-505, PRS-600, iPad 16GB Wifi, Kindle Voyage, Nexus 6, Razr HD	I'm happy for you

04-06-2010, 06:30 AM	#12
BBRags Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 12 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: None	Thanks Mike. I wasn't ready to dip into my piggy bank for a new reader. Should I post any info about my Energizer cellphone charger mod? Is it obvious what I did? The charger has been discontinued; some dealers may have it in stock. It makes nifty pocket charger for the 505 (and the newer models if they use 5V).

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04-06-2010, 12:24 PM	#13
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	I'm interested in information on that charger of yours. I finally treated myself to the Sony charger for Christmas because my 505 wants more current than the usual el-cheapo charger can supply. As we're now a two-Reader family, a second (and more affordable) charger would be good.