Will DR1000 be hurt if I always connect the USB charger?

[alxwang]

I use my laptop like this. As long as the battery fully charged the laptop will run on AC and battery will not charged at all.
Because I always use DR1000 in my reading corner in home so I always connect the USB charger to the DR1000.
It looks alright. DR1000 never show charge icon and the battery bar never goes down.

But I just want make sure: To use DR1000 like this way DR1000 will not be hurt, right?

Thanks

[wallcraft]

The USB connector is not designed to allow the Reader to be used while charging. If the connector breaks, iRex will bill you for the repair (300Euro) - see Don't buy this device.

[Shaggy]

wallcraft, you're talking about the physical location of the USB port making it susceptible to breakage while reading, not an actual electrical/charging problem that prevents the DR from working correctly while plugged in? Just want to clarify what you meant.

[Grimulkan]

I also wonder if the battery would like that - you're not really letting it go through its charge cycles this way.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

wallcraft, you're talking about the physical location of the USB port making it susceptible to breakage while reading, not an actual electrical/charging problem that prevents the DR from working correctly while plugged in?

Yes. The hardware isn't designed for this mode of operation, and the USB socket can physically break away from the motherboard.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Grimulkan

I also wonder if the battery would like that - you're not really letting it go through its charge cycles this way.

How is that a bad thing? Charge cycles are what reduces the life expectancy of the battery. I would think using it plugged in and by-passing the charge/discharge cycles whenever possible would be GOOD for it.

[alxwang]

hmm. Wallcraft, you are right. It does not worth to do that at all. Even replace a battery later will be better choice.
Thanks all.

[ghostwheel]

Originally Posted by alxwang

I use my laptop like this. As long as the battery fully charged the laptop will run on AC and battery will not charged at all.
Because I always use DR1000 in my reading corner in home so I always connect the USB charger to the DR1000.
It looks alright. DR1000 never show charge icon and the battery bar never goes down.

But I just want make sure: To use DR1000 like this way DR1000 will not be hurt, right?

Thanks

This is usually not good for your laptop, either....
Panasonic laptops have this special program keeping the charge at 60%. I'm not totally sure what's best in other cases.
Supposedly, charging and discharging, but not very full, and not very empty.

[Gem]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

How is that a bad thing? Charge cycles are what reduces the life expectancy of the battery. I would think using it plugged in and by-passing the charge/discharge cycles whenever possible would be GOOD for it.

This depends on the type of battery. Some battery designs hate being fully discharged, others need it on a regular basis.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Gem

Some battery designs hate being fully discharged, others need it on a regular basis.

My understanding is that the batteries in the iRex devices are of the former type, IE full charge/discharge cycles reduce their lifespan.

[myprecious]

It seems that the battery in DR is lithium-ion polymer (varta polifelx).

From Wikipedia:
When compared to the lithium-ion battery, Li-poly has a greater life cycle degradation rate. However, in recent years, manufacturers have been declaring upwards of 500 charge-discharge cycles before the capacity drops to 80% (see Sanyo).

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by myprecious

When compared to the lithium-ion battery, Li-poly has a greater life cycle degradation rate. However, in recent years, manufacturers have been declaring upwards of 500 charge-discharge cycles before the capacity drops to 80% (see Sanyo).

My understanding is also that full cycles are worse than partial ones. In other words, frequent "top offs" of the charge (or keeping it charged by using it while plugged in) are better for the life expectancy of the battery than fully discharging/recharging. What I usually do with mine is to recharge it when I've hit 50% instead of waiting until it runs all the way down, at least whenever possible.