PRS-600 Battery troubles

zielperson · 12-09-2009, 04:49 AM

OK.. new here.

Hi all

Just bought a PRS-600 on Saturday, the 5th and I seem to be having extreme battery problems.

Now, I am aware that the 7'500 page views is a theoretical number, but right now I seem to get about 200-300 page views per charge (lasting me 1-2 days)

Here is my history:
Episode 1 - Rise

Got the reader
Initial charge
Put some PDFs on it
Reading: "Blindsight", on original size or 1 zoom level (text based PDF)
After playing a bit (look at settings, etc), I turned back to reading
on page 154, the screen turns BLACK
no response, nothing
I reset the device and it boots up again, tells me "battery is low" and dies.
So I hang it on the USB for another night

Episode 2 - Fall

Started reading again
at 20 pages in, battery is down to 3 bars
I turn the unit on standby for the night (Yes, I know, but energy management is on, so it should turn off at 60 minutes)
Started reading again next day, battery is still at 3 bars.
At breakfast, I decide to add a small note
I bring up the notes screen and type about 30 words.
I close the notes and see that battery is down to 1 bar (from 3)

Episode 3 - Support? what's that?

I call SONY Switzerland
The guy is in a hurry and just tells me to turn the device off completely instead of standby
I try telling him that I did not have an issue of the device discharging over night, but while in use
He did not listen and got confused about which device I have (505, right?)

Episode 4 - Open questions
Is this a battery issue?

Have I done something wrong?

Is this normal when viewing PDFs? Is battery life dependent on filetype?

Should I just return this unit?

Thank you for your patience and help,

::zielperson::

poshm · 12-09-2009, 05:00 AM

Welcome to mobileread.

Doesn't sound normal to me but I'm not much of a techie.

What I can tell you is that my battery will last a good 1000 - 1500 page turns before the device needs to be charged again. In terms of time that is about 1-2 weeks of reading for me.

I have also never experienced the battery going from 3 bars down to 1 like that which sounds very odd.

Hopefully other people here can confirm whether this is a battery problem.

grooks · 12-09-2009, 09:57 AM

PRS600 Battery Life

Read through the above thread. It gives some tips to initially condition the battery so you can get a normal battery life between charges.

Personally, I find that powering down the device completely each night before bed gets very good results. I average about 11-12 days between charges.

zielperson · 12-09-2009, 12:46 PM

OK.
Actually, I read that thread before even registering here.

Bad thing is, I am NOT getting about 1000 pages worth or 1-2 weeks as people do in that thread.

Without notes, using the page turn button, I get about 200 pages or about 1-2 days

Also the battery literally jumps from 3 bars to 1.

Today I did a full charge, turned on the device and it jumped from full to 3 bars in 20 seconds.

I guess I will be returning it tomorrow.

::zielperson::

grooks · 12-09-2009, 12:52 PM

You may have a bad battery.

I would also try to run the batter down until you get the warning message, then do a full charge. This may need to be done twice before you see actual results.

zielperson · 12-09-2009, 12:56 PM

OK.. how should I do the charge?

Keep it turned off and connect it, or turn it on and connect it?

::zielperson::

HarryT · 12-09-2009, 01:02 PM

Do you have a mains adapter? That's the best way to charge a Reader.

zielperson · 12-09-2009, 01:12 PM

Nope. Although according to the other thread an Apple iPhone charger might do the trick?
(According to grooks in his cited thread, USB charge holds better)

To say I am at a slight loss right now might be an understatement.

::zielperson::

grooks · 12-09-2009, 01:15 PM

I usually use a mains/wall charger.

If you use a usb connected to a computer, make sure the usb port is providing power at all times and the computer does not go into hibernate mode.

Harry001 · 12-09-2009, 01:55 PM

when using a computer with win 7 it shuts down automatically the usb-ports to save energy. that's standart in the system-device-settings. you can deactivate that in unchecking, but it does not save this setting.you have to do that again.

from my experience, the extern charger charges better than the usb-charger.

happy reading

harry

EQ2 · 12-09-2009, 03:45 PM

I had this exact same problem, went through the thread where everyone else was having problems and tried the solutions listed there to no avail.

Eventually, I charged the reader fully using a mains adaptor and then opened it up and physically disconnected the battery. After about 2mins I reconnected it, at which point the little light on the top went orange. So I hit the reset button, closed the reader up again and then started it.

Its been going about three days without a single bar drop so far(~2-3hrs usage a day with about 300 pages in total)...I'm hoping this has fixed it and it was just a weird calibration error. Will post here again if this has fixed it completely(so another 6-7 days hopefully).

AndreiC · 12-09-2009, 05:43 PM

Do you have an SD Card?

Can you try to see how it works without it inserted?

AndreiC · 12-09-2009, 09:43 PM

More info:

I've been using a 16 GB Class-4 Kingston SD Card; only recently I realized this was slowing down the reader to a crawl in most operations while also draining the battery very fast. Just an example: after removing the SD Card from the device, saving a note (highlighted text) is almost instantaneous now, wehereas before it took like 9 seconds.

I'll soon try a Memory Stick Pro Duo or a Class-6 SD Card.

JSWolf · 12-09-2009, 11:04 PM

When you have the 600 charging via the USB, you will be wasting battery because when you unplug the USB cable, the 600 is going to spend time scanning the content. If you use an AC adapter, it won't scan the content when you unplug the 600.

HarryT · 12-10-2009, 03:18 AM

Please note, by the way, that when we talk about wall chargers, we are talking about chargers which connect to the circular "charger" socket on the base of the Reader, NOT to chargers which connect to the USB socket. Any PSP charger will work just fine on the Reader, and these can be picked up cheaply at game stores.

12-09-2009, 04:49 AM	#1
zielperson Member Posts: 15 Karma: 16 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-600	Battery troubles OK.. new here. Hi all Just bought a PRS-600 on Saturday, the 5th and I seem to be having extreme battery problems. Now, I am aware that the 7'500 page views is a theoretical number, but right now I seem to get about 200-300 page views per charge (lasting me 1-2 days) Here is my history: Episode 1 - Rise Got the reader Initial charge Put some PDFs on it Reading: "Blindsight", on original size or 1 zoom level (text based PDF) After playing a bit (look at settings, etc), I turned back to reading on page 154, the screen turns BLACK no response, nothing I reset the device and it boots up again, tells me "battery is low" and dies. So I hang it on the USB for another night Episode 2 - Fall Started reading again at 20 pages in, battery is down to 3 bars I turn the unit on standby for the night (Yes, I know, but energy management is on, so it should turn off at 60 minutes) Started reading again next day, battery is still at 3 bars. At breakfast, I decide to add a small note I bring up the notes screen and type about 30 words. I close the notes and see that battery is down to 1 bar (from 3) Episode 3 - Support? what's that? I call SONY Switzerland The guy is in a hurry and just tells me to turn the device off completely instead of standby I try telling him that I did not have an issue of the device discharging over night, but while in use He did not listen and got confused about which device I have (505, right?) Episode 4 - Open questions Is this a battery issue? Have I done something wrong? Is this normal when viewing PDFs? Is battery life dependent on filetype? Should I just return this unit? Thank you for your patience and help, ::zielperson::

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12-09-2009, 05:00 AM	#2
poshm Fanatic Posts: 581 Karma: 1003580 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cambs, UK Device: PocketBook 360, Sony Reader Touch, Ipod touch & Kindle 2	Welcome to mobileread. Doesn't sound normal to me but I'm not much of a techie. What I can tell you is that my battery will last a good 1000 - 1500 page turns before the device needs to be charged again. In terms of time that is about 1-2 weeks of reading for me. I have also never experienced the battery going from 3 bars down to 1 like that which sounds very odd. Hopefully other people here can confirm whether this is a battery problem.

12-09-2009, 09:57 AM	#3
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	PRS600 Battery Life Read through the above thread. It gives some tips to initially condition the battery so you can get a normal battery life between charges. Personally, I find that powering down the device completely each night before bed gets very good results. I average about 11-12 days between charges.

12-09-2009, 12:46 PM	#4
zielperson Member Posts: 15 Karma: 16 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-600	OK. Actually, I read that thread before even registering here. Bad thing is, I am NOT getting about 1000 pages worth or 1-2 weeks as people do in that thread. Without notes, using the page turn button, I get about 200 pages or about 1-2 days Also the battery literally jumps from 3 bars to 1. Today I did a full charge, turned on the device and it jumped from full to 3 bars in 20 seconds. I guess I will be returning it tomorrow. ::zielperson::

12-09-2009, 12:52 PM	#5
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	You may have a bad battery. I would also try to run the batter down until you get the warning message, then do a full charge. This may need to be done twice before you see actual results.

12-09-2009, 12:56 PM	#6
zielperson Member Posts: 15 Karma: 16 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-600	OK.. how should I do the charge? Keep it turned off and connect it, or turn it on and connect it? ::zielperson::

12-09-2009, 01:02 PM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Do you have a mains adapter? That's the best way to charge a Reader.

12-09-2009, 01:12 PM	#8
zielperson Member Posts: 15 Karma: 16 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-600	Nope. Although according to the other thread an Apple iPhone charger might do the trick? (According to grooks in his cited thread, USB charge holds better) To say I am at a slight loss right now might be an understatement. ::zielperson::

12-09-2009, 01:15 PM	#9
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	I usually use a mains/wall charger. If you use a usb connected to a computer, make sure the usb port is providing power at all times and the computer does not go into hibernate mode.

12-09-2009, 01:55 PM	#10
Harry001 Addict Posts: 208 Karma: 729 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York City, USA Device: palmone lifedrive+sonyreader 505+NookColor+HPTouchpad \32GB+NookSimple	when using a computer with win 7 it shuts down automatically the usb-ports to save energy. that's standart in the system-device-settings. you can deactivate that in unchecking, but it does not save this setting.you have to do that again. from my experience, the extern charger charges better than the usb-charger. happy reading harry

12-09-2009, 03:45 PM	#11
EQ2 Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 28 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Sony PRS-600, Onyx Boox M92	I had this exact same problem, went through the thread where everyone else was having problems and tried the solutions listed there to no avail. Eventually, I charged the reader fully using a mains adaptor and then opened it up and physically disconnected the battery. After about 2mins I reconnected it, at which point the little light on the top went orange. So I hit the reset button, closed the reader up again and then started it. Its been going about three days without a single bar drop so far(~2-3hrs usage a day with about 300 pages in total)...I'm hoping this has fixed it and it was just a weird calibration error. Will post here again if this has fixed it completely(so another 6-7 days hopefully).

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12-09-2009, 05:43 PM	#12
AndreiC Enthusiast Posts: 38 Karma: 12 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bucharest, Romania Device: PRS-600, Kindle 2 International	Do you have an SD Card? Can you try to see how it works without it inserted?

12-09-2009, 09:43 PM	#13
AndreiC Enthusiast Posts: 38 Karma: 12 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bucharest, Romania Device: PRS-600, Kindle 2 International	More info: I've been using a 16 GB Class-4 Kingston SD Card; only recently I realized this was slowing down the reader to a crawl in most operations while also draining the battery very fast. Just an example: after removing the SD Card from the device, saving a note (highlighted text) is almost instantaneous now, wehereas before it took like 9 seconds. I'll soon try a Memory Stick Pro Duo or a Class-6 SD Card.

12-09-2009, 11:04 PM	#14
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,866 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	When you have the 600 charging via the USB, you will be wasting battery because when you unplug the USB cable, the 600 is going to spend time scanning the content. If you use an AC adapter, it won't scan the content when you unplug the 600.

12-10-2009, 03:18 AM	#15
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Please note, by the way, that when we talk about wall chargers, we are talking about chargers which connect to the circular "charger" socket on the base of the Reader, NOT to chargers which connect to the USB socket. Any PSP charger will work just fine on the Reader, and these can be picked up cheaply at game stores.