PRS-650 Charging issue - battery down to zero

Alexander Turcic · 10-31-2010, 07:37 AM

This has happened for the second time within a week. The battery gauge of my Reader 650 is down by one bar when I stop reading a book. I make sure it's turned off. The next day I am trying to turn it on again - but the scree remains blank. Nothing works, not even a reset. I plug into a USB port. The red charging light illuminates. After a while the device comes back to life, reboots and shows the charging symbol. The battery was completely discharged!

Does anyone else have similar problems with the battery charge suddenly dropping from three bars to zero overnight?

gardenstate · 10-31-2010, 08:02 AM

As a former 505 owner (and hopefully 950 user this winter), I never had that problem. However, I have read in this forum that where the Sony readers get their "charge" can be a big issue. For quick partial recharges, using the USB to pc connection is OK. For the best charge, overnight using an AC wall connection is best. There are some big amperage differences in the power sources and it seems to make a difference even though the voltage is 5VDC. The new touch readers use a Sony charger at 1500 mah which is well beyond the typical 500-1000 in most cell phone devices. good luck!

Alexander Turcic · 10-31-2010, 08:12 AM

Thanks for the info. Well, my old 505 doesn't exhibit this problem either. But with the 650 (for which I don't have a charger yet), this is quite frustrating. I'd be surprised if it's related to USB charging alone, considering that this is the only option Sony offers in the original package.

grooks · 10-31-2010, 12:27 PM

When charging via the computer, does the computer go to sleep or hibernation at any time?

The usb needs to be powering the Reader continuously to charge. Otherwise the usb will completely drain the battery.

grooks · 10-31-2010, 12:28 PM

BTW Alex, change your info to read PRS-650 and NOT PRS-605

Alexander Turcic · 10-31-2010, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grooks

BTW Alex, change your info to read PRS-650 and NOT PRS-605

Heh, thanks for the pointer. Fixed!

I am fairly certain the computer stayed on (in fact, I believe it's one of those always-powered USB ports). On the Reader's display it said that the battery was fully charged and the red light was off before I unplugged it.

It charged again 100% - will keep an eye on things and report back.

neilmarr · 10-31-2010, 02:12 PM

You DO need a full mains charge, Alex. Never rely with a Sony on a USB charge through the PC or laptop, and likewise don't rely on the over-optimistic battery level meter on the device. I had all the problems your facing a couple of years ago before I picked up an AC charger and haven't had the slightest hitch since. Good luck and best wishes. Neil

Alexander Turcic · 10-31-2010, 02:42 PM

Alrighty, thanks for the heads-up! I am going to order a charger as we speak!

EDIT: I believe my wife's Blackberry has a micro-USB charger (5V, 700mA). Will try that one, too.

grooks · 10-31-2010, 02:59 PM

Others have tried the blackberry charger and reported that they work.

JSWolf · 10-31-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilmarr

You DO need a full mains charge, Alex. Never rely with a Sony on a USB charge through the PC or laptop, and likewise don't rely on the over-optimistic battery level meter on the device. I had all the problems your facing a couple of years ago before I picked up an AC charger and haven't had the slightest hitch since. Good luck and best wishes. Neil

I have a 650 and I charged it via the USB port as I didn't have a separate charger. The 650 is fine. It's not discharging any sooner then it should. I have an iGo outlet charger with an a97 tip. It seems most cell phone chargers that use the same USB plug may work fine.

FizzyWater · 10-31-2010, 10:53 PM

Do you use a memory card? I had constant problems with the charge holding on my 600 (which I used with a 4GB memory stick). When I upgraded to the 650, for one reason or another, I didn't use the memory stick right away. I was so happy to see it hold its charge as long as I remembered the 505 doing (which I used SD cards with, by the way).

Then in the last week or so, I inserted my memory stick (cleaned out, but otherwise the same one) and loaded it up with books. And my reader's going from 4 bars to 1 over night. And charging (where the red light turns off and the display shows fully charged) seems to happen too quickly.

Maybe I have a bad card? Or maybe the reader eats energy with a card? I'll probably try swapping a new memory stick to see if there's any possibility I just have a bad card...

Alexander Turcic · 11-01-2010, 03:19 AM

Good idea, but no, no card. Even in my old Readers (505 and 500) I never used a card to save battery.

Well, after charging my new 650 through USB and then discovering that my wife's charger would fit, I charged it too with the charger, and within 30 minutes the red light switched off. I will now test how long it lasts.

Donnageddon · 11-01-2010, 04:08 AM

Let us know how it works out, Alex. I am having no problems with battery life on my 650.

Nikko73 · 11-01-2010, 06:02 AM

I have had the 650 for about 6 weeks now and have had an issue with the battery. About 2 weeks ago it went from 4 bars to 2 in a day (when ordinarily it would have stayed on 4 or dropped to 3). I recharged via a plug charger and the same thing happened. I was a bit perplexed and decided to power the device on and off again (I usually just go into sleep mode). And this has fixed the problem, it now works as it did before. I can only presume that the processor was working while in the sleep mode and this was causing the battery drain. By shutting down and 'rebooting' the device it was no longer having to process the errant thread. Its all guesswork though.

Sweetpea · 11-01-2010, 08:05 AM

Nope, never had my Sony drop below 3 bars (yet

) Connecting to the PC too often I think!

I did do the first charge with a charger, not by the PC...

10-31-2010, 07:37 AM	#1
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,171 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Charging issue - battery down to zero This has happened for the second time within a week. The battery gauge of my Reader 650 is down by one bar when I stop reading a book. I make sure it's turned off. The next day I am trying to turn it on again - but the scree remains blank. Nothing works, not even a reset. I plug into a USB port. The red charging light illuminates. After a while the device comes back to life, reboots and shows the charging symbol. The battery was completely discharged! Does anyone else have similar problems with the battery charge suddenly dropping from three bars to zero overnight?

10-31-2010, 02:42 PM	#8
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,171 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Alrighty, thanks for the heads-up! I am going to order a charger as we speak! EDIT: I believe my wife's Blackberry has a micro-USB charger (5V, 700mA). Will try that one, too. Last edited by Alexander Turcic; 10-31-2010 at 02:50 PM.

10-31-2010, 10:53 PM	#11
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	Do you use a memory card? I had constant problems with the charge holding on my 600 (which I used with a 4GB memory stick). When I upgraded to the 650, for one reason or another, I didn't use the memory stick right away. I was so happy to see it hold its charge as long as I remembered the 505 doing (which I used SD cards with, by the way). Then in the last week or so, I inserted my memory stick (cleaned out, but otherwise the same one) and loaded it up with books. And my reader's going from 4 bars to 1 over night. And charging (where the red light turns off and the display shows fully charged) seems to happen too quickly. Maybe I have a bad card? Or maybe the reader eats energy with a card? I'll probably try swapping a new memory stick to see if there's any possibility I just have a bad card... Last edited by FizzyWater; 11-01-2010 at 08:52 PM. Reason: its vs. it's

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10-31-2010, 08:02 AM	#2
gardenstate Groupie Posts: 195 Karma: 1069472 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago,IL USA suburb Device: Sony PRS-T1 and PRS-950	As a former 505 owner (and hopefully 950 user this winter), I never had that problem. However, I have read in this forum that where the Sony readers get their "charge" can be a big issue. For quick partial recharges, using the USB to pc connection is OK. For the best charge, overnight using an AC wall connection is best. There are some big amperage differences in the power sources and it seems to make a difference even though the voltage is 5VDC. The new touch readers use a Sony charger at 1500 mah which is well beyond the typical 500-1000 in most cell phone devices. good luck!

10-31-2010, 08:12 AM	#3
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,171 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Thanks for the info. Well, my old 505 doesn't exhibit this problem either. But with the 650 (for which I don't have a charger yet), this is quite frustrating. I'd be surprised if it's related to USB charging alone, considering that this is the only option Sony offers in the original package.

10-31-2010, 12:27 PM	#4
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	When charging via the computer, does the computer go to sleep or hibernation at any time? The usb needs to be powering the Reader continuously to charge. Otherwise the usb will completely drain the battery.

10-31-2010, 12:28 PM	#5
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	BTW Alex, change your info to read PRS-650 and *NOT* PRS-605

10-31-2010, 02:12 PM	#7
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	You DO need a full mains charge, Alex. Never rely with a Sony on a USB charge through the PC or laptop, and likewise don't rely on the over-optimistic battery level meter on the device. I had all the problems your facing a couple of years ago before I picked up an AC charger and haven't had the slightest hitch since. Good luck and best wishes. Neil

10-31-2010, 02:59 PM	#9
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	Others have tried the blackberry charger and reported that they work.

11-01-2010, 03:19 AM	#12
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,171 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Good idea, but no, no card. Even in my old Readers (505 and 500) I never used a card to save battery. Well, after charging my new 650 through USB and then discovering that my wife's charger would fit, I charged it too with the charger, and within 30 minutes the red light switched off. I will now test how long it lasts.

11-01-2010, 04:08 AM	#13
Donnageddon Now you lishen here... Posts: 2,494 Karma: 479498 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire	Let us know how it works out, Alex. I am having no problems with battery life on my 650.

11-01-2010, 06:02 AM	#14
Nikko73 Enthusiast Posts: 34 Karma: 62 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Device: Kobo Aura One (after Hanlin, Sony and other Kobo devices)	I have had the 650 for about 6 weeks now and have had an issue with the battery. About 2 weeks ago it went from 4 bars to 2 in a day (when ordinarily it would have stayed on 4 or dropped to 3). I recharged via a plug charger and the same thing happened. I was a bit perplexed and decided to power the device on and off again (I usually just go into sleep mode). And this has fixed the problem, it now works as it did before. I can only presume that the processor was working while in the sleep mode and this was causing the battery drain. By shutting down and 'rebooting' the device it was no longer having to process the errant thread. Its all guesswork though.

11-01-2010, 08:05 AM	#15
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	Nope, never had my Sony drop below 3 bars (yet ) Connecting to the PC too often I think! I did do the first charge with a charger, not by the PC...

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