Question about Vox battery

msxman · 12-01-2011, 11:00 AM

Can you use the Vox while plugged in to use wi-fi stuff like Pulse or Facebook, or to watch movies or even read and not have the battery die, or will that harm the battery?

Can the battery be ruined by overcharging?

Hoping someone knows!

mr_nobody · 12-01-2011, 11:08 AM

It shouldn't be a problem assuming the power management stuff has been done properly. That being said I did have an archos 605 wifi where archos botched the power management which caused the batteries to overcharge and burn out early so who knows?

wilbrich · 12-01-2011, 11:39 AM

I've regularly used my Vox while on the charger to browse, watch movies, read, etc. It charges to the max as per usual and I've even continued on the charger after that. I don't know if I've caused any battery damage but I've been thinking that my battery life isn't what it should be. But a lot of people have said that so ??

Also, I have left the Vox to charge overnight. Presumably it reached full charge hours before I took it off the next day. So I don't think overcharging is a big risk.

49Kat · 12-01-2011, 12:13 PM

Actually, the Vox only takes about 2 hours or so to go from nearly zero to full charge, so leaving it charging overnight is more than enough.

I would hope it doesn't "overcharge".

But I honestly don't know. I find the battery probably lasts as long as my laptop's battery if the Vox is in use, and that includes if I have it in sleep mode but with wifi on...and I have to leave the wifi on in sleep mode or it won't come out of sleep mode without a reset. So if I'm at home and I want to have quick access to the Vox, I'm leaving it in sleep mode but plugged into the charger because the wifi drains the battery all the time, even if the Vox is sleeping. I guess then there's no risk of overcharging if there is a constant drain on the battery anyway.

Psyke · 12-01-2011, 12:27 PM

the device will not over charge; the power adapter only provides power; the charging mechanism is on the vox itself, and will cut off power to the battery when it hits a certain voltage, checking the battery every so often to see if it needs to be topped up. you can safely use the device while it is plugged in.

Reader Paradice · 12-01-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psyke

the device will not over charge; the power adapter only provides power; the charging mechanism is on the vox itself, and will cut off power to the battery when it hits a certain voltage, checking the battery every so often to see if it needs to be topped up. you can safely use the device while it is plugged in.

-------------------------------------------------------
Exactly. No different from having your laptop battery in place (I don't know of anybody that removes their battery, unless to replace) as you use your plugged-in laptop. You can get micro-USB extender cables that will allow you to enjoy the Vox whilst plugged into the mains. I think that they put such a short length of mains chord on the Vox charger, so as to not have it hanging down off of a table...where the user could snare it with their hand or knee, and have the Vox come crashing down to the floor. I don't think it was really a move about reducing production costs. No matter though...what a P.I.T.A.! Using a micro-USB extender cable is less weight than using an extension cord to give you some user mobility/comfort.

http://www.infinitecables.com/usb_cbl.html

oldyellr · 12-01-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reader Paradice

You can get micro-USB extender cables that will allow you to enjoy the Vox whilst plugged into the mains.

http://www.infinitecables.com/usb_cbl.html

Could the Kobo USB plug be a proprietary type? It's a little wider and flatter than those on my MP3 player and GPS cables and has two little barbs on the wide side.

wilbrich · 12-01-2011, 03:54 PM

The Kobo is a micro USB Type B. There is a micro USB Type A that won't fit a Kobo. Your MP3 may be Type A (it's a perfect rectangle, not the chopped off corner type B).

TonyToews · 12-01-2011, 06:40 PM

Also note that you may want to purchase a left, right, down or up micro USB adapter depending on your preference from eBay. This way when you are using the Vox and resting the device in portrait mode on your body you aren't putting a twist in the cable and mechanical stress on the internal adapter.

For example I have coming a down adapter, I think, so the cable will go straight back from my body.

As well as the afore mentioned micro USB extension cord.

hary12 · 12-27-2011, 04:56 AM

I also find the battery probably lasts as long as my laptop's battery if the Vox is in use.Then I bought a new battery on the site and it is good.
http://www.scontobatteria.com

Glenn56 · 12-27-2011, 08:02 AM

I know with a laptop battery it is good to let it run right down, initially, before recharging to calibrate the meter - however, haven't heard of this being the case with the Vox.

Although some people do leave their their laptops plugged in all the time, like a desktop, apparently this will shorten the life of the battery.

I think it's best to let your mobile device run off its own power source and only plug it in to recharge.

TonyToews · 12-27-2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn56

Although some people do leave their their laptops plugged in all the time, like a desktop, apparently this will shorten the life of the battery.

I think it's best to let your mobile device run off its own power source and only plug it in to recharge.

I respectfully disagree. My last laptop is over five years old now. I have seldom used it while on battery power only. The battery still lasts for about a half hour compared with the original two hours.

TonyToews · 12-27-2011, 03:27 PM

When used with the Kobo charger the device won't over charge. The charging light turns green once it's full up therefore the charging circuitry is doing it's job.

However with a non Kobo device then it's possible as the light doesn't turn on.

oldyellr · 12-27-2011, 03:38 PM

Just to add. it's a lithium ion battery and does not suffer from the "memory" effect the old nicads did, nor does it self-discharge like the NiMh ones. You can charge it at any time without worries.

lioslaith · 12-27-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyToews

When used with the Kobo charger the device won't over charge. The charging light turns green once it's full up therefore the charging circuitry is doing it's job.

Thanks always good to have confirmed, I hoped (and crossed fingers) ever since the first time I forgot I had put my Vox on to charge, that it would be the same as other rechargeable devices and would stop/switch off charging once the battery is full.

12-01-2011, 11:00 AM	#1
msxman Enthusiast Posts: 49 Karma: 36 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: kobo vox, kindle 2	Question about Vox battery Can you use the Vox while plugged in to use wi-fi stuff like Pulse or Facebook, or to watch movies or even read and not have the battery die, or will that harm the battery? Can the battery be ruined by overcharging? Hoping someone knows!

12-27-2011, 04:56 AM	#10
hary12 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: deviced	laptop batteria I also find the battery probably lasts as long as my laptop's battery if the Vox is in use.Then I bought a new battery on the site and it is good. http://www.scontobatteria.com

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12-01-2011, 11:08 AM	#2
mr_nobody Evangelist Posts: 440 Karma: 26671 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: kobo mini, nexus 7 (2012), kobo vox	It shouldn't be a problem assuming the power management stuff has been done properly. That being said I did have an archos 605 wifi where archos botched the power management which caused the batteries to overcharge and burn out early so who knows?

12-01-2011, 11:39 AM	#3
wilbrich Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 1412 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Vox, Kobo (original), Sony Tablet, Sony PRS505	I've regularly used my Vox while on the charger to browse, watch movies, read, etc. It charges to the max as per usual and I've even continued on the charger after that. I don't know if I've caused any battery damage but I've been thinking that my battery life isn't what it should be. But a lot of people have said that so ?? Also, I have left the Vox to charge overnight. Presumably it reached full charge hours before I took it off the next day. So I don't think overcharging is a big risk.

12-01-2011, 12:13 PM	#4
49Kat Fanatic Posts: 580 Karma: 1309104 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: BC,Canada/NV, USA Device: iPad 9th Gen, iPhone 11, Paperwhite 10th Gen.	Actually, the Vox only takes about 2 hours or so to go from nearly zero to full charge, so leaving it charging overnight is more than enough. I would hope it doesn't "overcharge". But I honestly don't know. I find the battery probably lasts as long as my laptop's battery if the Vox is in use, and that includes if I have it in sleep mode but with wifi on...and I have to leave the wifi on in sleep mode or it won't come out of sleep mode without a reset. So if I'm at home and I want to have quick access to the Vox, I'm leaving it in sleep mode but plugged into the charger because the wifi drains the battery all the time, even if the Vox is sleeping. I guess then there's no risk of overcharging if there is a constant drain on the battery anyway.

12-01-2011, 12:27 PM	#5
Psyke Evangelist Posts: 482 Karma: 534340 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ottawa/Canada Device: Kobo Wi-Fi - Kobo Touch - GNex - N7	the device will not over charge; the power adapter only provides power; the charging mechanism is on the vox itself, and will cut off power to the battery when it hits a certain voltage, checking the battery every so often to see if it needs to be topped up. you can safely use the device while it is plugged in.

12-01-2011, 03:54 PM	#8
wilbrich Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 1412 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Vox, Kobo (original), Sony Tablet, Sony PRS505	The Kobo is a micro USB Type B. There is a micro USB Type A that won't fit a Kobo. Your MP3 may be Type A (it's a perfect rectangle, not the chopped off corner type B).

12-01-2011, 06:40 PM	#9
TonyToews Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 351398 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kobo Vox and Glo	Also note that you may want to purchase a left, right, down or up micro USB adapter depending on your preference from eBay. This way when you are using the Vox and resting the device in portrait mode on your body you aren't putting a twist in the cable and mechanical stress on the internal adapter. For example I have coming a down adapter, I think, so the cable will go straight back from my body. As well as the afore mentioned micro USB extension cord.

12-27-2011, 08:02 AM	#11
Glenn56 Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Grimsby, Ontario Device: Kobo Vox	I know with a laptop battery it is good to let it run right down, initially, before recharging to calibrate the meter - however, haven't heard of this being the case with the Vox. Although some people do leave their their laptops plugged in all the time, like a desktop, apparently this will shorten the life of the battery. I think it's best to let your mobile device run off its own power source and only plug it in to recharge.

12-27-2011, 03:27 PM	#13
TonyToews Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 351398 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kobo Vox and Glo	When used with the Kobo charger the device won't over charge. The charging light turns green once it's full up therefore the charging circuitry is doing it's job. However with a non Kobo device then it's possible as the light doesn't turn on.

12-27-2011, 03:38 PM	#14
oldyellr Evangelist Posts: 484 Karma: 26106 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Vox, Amazon Fire 7	Just to add. it's a lithium ion battery and does not suffer from the "memory" effect the old nicads did, nor does it self-discharge like the NiMh ones. You can charge it at any time without worries.