Battery Indicator Question

Brianrh · 03-01-2012, 07:51 AM

I was surprised last night when I went to use my Kobo Touch to find that it informed me that it needed charging. I am convinced that the previous night the battery indicator was showing about 25%. I have had the KT since Christmas and only part charged twice but never had it go so low for this warning screen to appear.

I have been told that the battery use is supposed to improve for cycling discharge and charge a few times but does the hardware auto-calibrate? Are these indicators very accurate anyway.

What have you other Kobo Touch users found?

Thanks.

Brian

danskmacabre · 03-01-2012, 08:06 AM

I seem to remember when it hits about 25% the charge drops pretty fast.
But until (around) then, it holds its charge for ages.

Brianrh · 03-01-2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danskmacabre

I seem to remember when it hits about 25% the charge drops pretty fast.
But until (around) then, it holds its charge for ages.

That would fit in with what I've found. It's a pity there isn't an earlier warning that the battery is getting low. Still I know now and will keep it topped up.

Thanks.

Brian

FJames · 03-01-2012, 10:50 AM

That's pretty common. Most people report that the KT can shut down without warning any time when the battery meter gets down to what looks like about 25%, and that's certainly what I have seen over 8 months of use. I have seen a low-battery warning exactly once, but it's unreliable. Usually the KT just won't turn on.

Since it's apparently not a good idea to fully discharge these batteries, you should probably charge it anyway when you see it that low. Another tip: Leave it on the charger an extra half hour after the check mark appears on the battery icon if you don't want the battery meter to drop immediately to 90% when you turn it on.

Brianrh · 03-01-2012, 03:39 PM

I left my KT on charge using a mains USB charger overnight. I read for about 10 minutes tonight and the battery indicator was showing about 60%. I wish I had thought to check what the indicator was showing after taking it off charge and before reading tonight.

I think I need to get a handle on the charging and discharging characteristics of my KT.

Brian

tsb1 · 03-02-2012, 05:05 AM

Despite fully charging and discharging mine a few times, the battery indicator was always at a quarter when the charge ran out. Apparently, it's best to keep the battery sitting around 40% to prolong its life and to have a short charge/discharge cycle. (http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/a...ased_batteries).

Quelch · 03-02-2012, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsb1

Despite fully charging and discharging mine a few times, the battery indicator was always at a quarter when the charge ran out. Apparently, it's best to keep the battery sitting around 40% to prolong its life and to have a short charge/discharge cycle. (http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/a...ased_batteries).

Thanks for the link

Computer forums have had this sort of advice from time to time but it's nice to have it confirmed

It looks as though our Kobo Touch batteries will last three to five years, that's if we haven't lost or damaged the eReaders before then

Apparently the battery is not replaceable by the user but there may be some specialist battery companies that will have a go !

TonyToews · 03-03-2012, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quelch

Apparently the battery is not replaceable by the user but there may be some specialist battery companies that will have a go !

I strongly suspect Kobo batteries will appear for sale on eBay in a year or two. Batteries are still available for my Palm TX which hasn't been made for five or seven years.

03-01-2012, 07:51 AM	#1
Brianrh Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 571204 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Purton, Wiltshire, UK Device: Kobo Touch, Kobo Auro Edition 2	Battery Indicator Question I was surprised last night when I went to use my Kobo Touch to find that it informed me that it needed charging. I am convinced that the previous night the battery indicator was showing about 25%. I have had the KT since Christmas and only part charged twice but never had it go so low for this warning screen to appear. I have been told that the battery use is supposed to improve for cycling discharge and charge a few times but does the hardware auto-calibrate? Are these indicators very accurate anyway. What have you other Kobo Touch users found? Thanks. Brian

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03-01-2012, 08:06 AM	#2
danskmacabre Guru Posts: 733 Karma: 3593438 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Glo. Galaxy Tab S 8.4	I seem to remember when it hits about 25% the charge drops pretty fast. But until (around) then, it holds its charge for ages.

03-01-2012, 10:50 AM	#4
FJames Addict Posts: 320 Karma: 320941 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Touch & Aura	That's pretty common. Most people report that the KT can shut down without warning any time when the battery meter gets down to what looks like about 25%, and that's certainly what I have seen over 8 months of use. I have seen a low-battery warning exactly once, but it's unreliable. Usually the KT just won't turn on. Since it's apparently not a good idea to fully discharge these batteries, you should probably charge it anyway when you see it that low. Another tip: Leave it on the charger an extra half hour after the check mark appears on the battery icon if you don't want the battery meter to drop immediately to 90% when you turn it on.

03-01-2012, 03:39 PM	#5
Brianrh Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 571204 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Purton, Wiltshire, UK Device: Kobo Touch, Kobo Auro Edition 2	I left my KT on charge using a mains USB charger overnight. I read for about 10 minutes tonight and the battery indicator was showing about 60%. I wish I had thought to check what the indicator was showing after taking it off charge and before reading tonight. I think I need to get a handle on the charging and discharging characteristics of my KT. Brian

03-02-2012, 05:05 AM	#6
tsb1 Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 37564 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Edinburgh, UK Device: Kobo Touch	Despite fully charging and discharging mine a few times, the battery indicator was always at a quarter when the charge ran out. Apparently, it's best to keep the battery sitting around 40% to prolong its life and to have a short charge/discharge cycle. (http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/a...ased_batteries).