Palm Computer battery change?

[Lurker]

I will need to upgrade my Palm IIIxe computer at some point but I read that all of the current Palm OS computers have built-in batteries that cannot be easily changed. Lithium Ion, I would guess. I hesitate to buy something that will become useless in a couple of years when the battery finally dies. I am sure a talented modder could change out the battery, but I was wondering how practical it would be for someone with limited skill in this area. Does anyone have any experience trying to change a battery in any of the current popular Palm OS computers? I'm thinking about something like a Zire 31, but haven't really settled on one yet.

I have no problem opening the case and poking around a bit, but if it requires soldering, especially directly to the battery, then it may well be more than I want to mess with.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[sotyakr]

There's a company called PDAParts.com (also known as GetHighTech.com) that stocks a variety of PDA batteries and parts. That'll probably be the route I go when the battery in my Zire 71 takes a dump.

EDIT - Wouldn't ya know it. For now, they list batteries for neither the Zire 31 or 71.

 

[LEDmodMan]

sotyakr,
Thanks for the link. The Li-ion battery on my Palm M505 took a crap literally days after the extended 2 year warranty expired. Basically, both Palm and Worst Buy semi-politely told me that's too bad, go screw yourself. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rant.gif

Anyway, I haven't used it for awhile, and hadn't had the chance to look for a new battery. The good news is that the site you linked does at least carry a 30% increased capacity battery. It's $30 though. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif

 

[rayearth]

There are a few surplus deals for this battery ... let me check ...

www.GOLDMINE-ELEC.COM

Ultralight Powerful 3.7V 650mAh Lithium Ion Battery

Compact lithium ion battery is the solution when you need a very light, small but powerful battery. Originally made for use in Palm M500, M505 and M515, this battery features a 650mAh rating yet it weighs only 15.25 grams. Perfect for park flyer RC planes as it is only 2.4”L x 1.38”W x 0.13”Thick and is so lightweight! Made by Sony, type UP383562A, these are brand new and feature foil tabs (if you are going to replace the battery in your PDA you will need to solder your old PDA battery connector to this battery). These are worth about $49.00 each.

G14082 $14.95 ea. SALE! $6.95 ea.

How's that?

Thinking about replacing my Tungsten T battery as well vs. upgrading ...
Hope this helps.

 

[LEDmodMan]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

rayearth, you're awesome!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif I may have to get a couple. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

***edit***
I just looked it up here and it is only $5.99. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif Shipping is $6 however... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif Still MUCH cheaper though. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif

 

[rayearth]

If I had the money, I'd probably buy a cartful of assorted goods from them. As it is, digikey has wiped me out right now.

 

[Lurker]

Thanks for the great information and that looks like a great deal on a battery, but if I can just rant for a minute: What kind of a company sells a computer that is designed to become useless when the battery reaches the end of it's lifetime in only about 2 years??? This is just ridiculous to me. I realize it is good for profits, but the loss in value to the consumer is inexcusable.

 

[rayearth]

Well, look for any consumer electronic that has a rechargeable but non-removable battery. The iPod is a infamous example. All of these items will end up with the same problem due to the nature of li-ion and li-po batteries. These batteries will only last about 500 (usual)-1000 (optimistic) full-depth cycles. More cycles if not cycled to full depth. If you use these items everyday, the batteries will become useless in about 2 years. My Palm Tungsten T is getting that way. A easily replaceable battery would be great, but it adds complexity and increases costs in an often tight-margin market. Best thing to do is be informed and vote with your wallet.

 

[Blackbeagle]

I thought the fed gov was trying to force through a regulation stating that there had to be an ability to change out batteries in all devices? Something to do with increasing the recyclability of all new consumer devices and reducing hazmat landfill problems?

 

[Saaby]

I personally don't find it all that offensive. The Palms and the iPod don't have *easily* user accessible batteries, but by the time the battery is no good and your warranty has expired it's easy enough to crack the thing open and swap out the battery. I'll trade that for the convenience and frugality of rechargeable batteries.

Li-Ion batteries love shallow discharge cycles, so they're great in a device like a Palm that can go maybe 7 days of light usage between charges, when you charge every day. Even when the battery has become spent it's not like it usually just quits working overnight, no it just starts to hold less and less and less until eventually it won't take a charge.

I use the Li-Ion maintenance tips suggested by Apple for all my Li-Ion products, in short:
As stated above, Li-Ion batteries like shallow discharge, so don't be afraid to charge every day.
It's good to keep things moving though, so about once a month do a complete discharge/recharge.

My iPod and Power Book seem to be doing just fine but they're fairly new. My Cell Phone, which is considerably older, seems to be doing fine too. I charge every night, but when it comes right down to it I can still get 3-4 days out of the battery if I need to, same as when I first got it.

I think we are all guilty of worrying about this far more than is necessary. ~26 months of usage out of a Palm battery that costs $30 to replace? That's a dollar and change per month. Turn some lights off in your house, skip the cheese once at Wendy's, and you're there.

 

[Lurker]

Well, I didn't think it would happen this fast when I started this thread last week, but my 4 year old Palm IIIxe suddenly crapped out yesterday (screen went black) and I ran out and bought a PalmOne Tungsten E to replace it. I guess I can't live without a Palm.

I see that in addition to soldering the batteries inside, PalmOne also sealed the case with the smallest torx screws I have ever seen. My old Palm had common Phillips screws. I have a good set of the smallest torx drivers I could get, but these screws are even smaller than what I have. PalmOne just had to go out of their way to make this as difficult as possible. I see the first link above carries the battery for $40, plus a set of 2 correct torx keys for another $10. Add shipping and the hassle of the job and you have a good portion of the cost of a new unit right there.

I was extremely satisfied with my first Palm purchase, but this one is starting out very bumpy. I hope this battery lasts longer than I think it will. Meanwhile, if another company comes up with a more sensible design, they have a good chance of getting me as a customer.

 

[Frangible]

Sadly, almost everything is going proprietary lithium-ion these days. Lithium ion batteries are good stuff, but I wish they'd come up with standard sizes and user replacements.

In my backpack I carry around a spare cell phone battery, spare digital camera battery, spare Pila 168S lithium ion battery, etc. My MP3 player's lithium ion battery is internal, and my laptop's lithium battery is proprietary as well. The only devices I have that still use standard batteries are my GPS and Sangean radio.

 

[rayearth]

I can think of several reasons for the lack of standards:

1) miniaturization - as things get smaller, batteries need to be shoehorned into smaller areas - hard to do with standard size batteries.

2) built in obsolescence - they can sell you another thingamajig in 2-3 years.

3) locked in accessory market - for a while, at least, the company has a monopoly on the accessory market and can make a tidy profit on extra batteries.

I think that there was a battery manufacturer that tried to standardize laptop batteries. Reason #3 was why it never happened.