iPaq Auto adapter == Aero Auto adapter??

[StuartV]

Compaq lists the iPaq auto adapter at $60. They list auto adapters for the Aero 1500 and 2100 at $18. A friend of mine who's had his iPaq since last Summer told me today that he heard a rumor a while back that the Aero auto adapter would work with the iPaq.

Does anybody know whether this is true?

Why would the adapter for an iPaq be so much more expensive than the same kind of thing for the Aero (other than Compaq charging what the market will bear)?

If the Aero adapter won't work, what about a universal CD player auto adapter set at either 4.5V or 6V? Is 4.5V enough to charge the iPaq? Is 6V too much?

Needless to say, $60 (or more) for a cigarette lighter adapter seems like usury to me.

- Stu

[ZuberB]

I've had no problems with mine. I'm not sure if they are exactly the same, but it does do the job.

Zuber

[not the same]

The Aero adapter is only rated at 1A, and you're taking a chance it won't short out and fry your iPAQ. The iPAQ auto adapter is rated at 2A.

[SolarCurt]

It will not short out and fry your iPAQ. It just may not charge your iPAQ as fast. Search the posts here, there are dozens of posts about this already with countless people using the $18 Aero adapter just fine with the iPAQ.

[sclui56]

As indicated above, the Aero adapter WILL NOT short out your iPAQ since the amp it's producing (allowed 4) is 1/2 of what's required.

However, it will most certainly blow the fuse inside the adapter if the iPAQ is plugged in & turned ON cause the iPAQ is drawing more than what's supplied, so just keep some spare fuses. This hasn't been a problem for me since I only use it to charge the iPAQ.

Steve

[ZuberB]

I'm not an expert on any of this, but all I will say is this.

I have used the IPaq, whilst in the car and on Charge at the same time with the Backlight on and using a CF Sleeve. It seemed to work fine for me (it didn't blow up and the charger is fine)
Perhaps, the IPaq continues to operate via the battery, whilst charging it at the same time. This would simply mean that if there is not enough power (whilst using IPaq and charging at same time) being provided from the Charger then the Battery will still dischare but at much much slower rate.

I am about to go for a 2 hour drive, so I will make a note of the level of Charge on my IPaq before plugging it into the Car Charger and leave it running with the Backlight on and running a game or something.

That should give a good indicator of what is what. I suspect that the IPaq charger would only be needed for when you wanted to perhaps use the IPaq whilst operating some real heavy duty sleeves/cards.

Zuber

[Icdedppl]

Well, I think we've heard the debate on the different car charges for the iPaq just one too many times.

My only question about this is: The Compaq Aero and the Compaq iPaq both use the exact same A/C charger, but the car charges are different for both.

Is the reason they are different because the Aero version only outputs 1A and the iPaq version outputs 2A? I think I am correct in saying that. What are the true harms of using the Aero version over the iPaq version?

[Rickster]

Well, lets break down the components in the system to see who is doing what.

First, you have a simple Constant-Voltage battery charger, such as the case for these car DC adapters. Constant Voltage (or Potential) means exactly that, the charger will maintain (to the best of it's ability) a specified voltage (potential) level to the load (battery). The load (battery) will dictate how much current it requires in order to try and match it's voltage (potential) level to that of the source (charger). So a weaker battery (with a lower voltage) will try to consume more current until it's voltage level begins rising, slowly tapering it's current draw until it reaches that of the source, which at that point then becomes a state of potential equilibrium (Battery voltage = Charger voltage). A good example is the case of a car battery/alternator. A typical car battery is around 12~12.5VDC, whereas an alternator has a typical output of 14~14.5VDC, thus always providing a charge to the battery. (For those EE's and other informed readers out there, sorry if this is boring you)

Now let's look at the iPaq, and we'll separate it into two pieces, the power supply (battery) and the rest of it's power consuming components. The "brains" of the iPaq is well aware of the state of battery charge, and will shut itself down if the battery can no longer keep up with it's demand. When the iPaq is plugged in to the charger, the battery will demand current from the charger in order match potentials, whilst providing power to the it's other components.

And last, if the battery is providing more power than it can makeup (demand) from the charger (because it is limited to 1A), then all it's doing (the charger) is slowing the rate of battery discharge until eventually the "brains" step in and say "that's it, I'm shutting down." At that point the battery will begin to recharge itself (not as fast as it would at 2A), and then you can start the process all over again.

Whew... Hope this makes some sense to those who we're unsure in this matter.

[ZuberB]

Rickster,
So what do you mean exactly, could you explain it more detail ?

Zuber

[Rickster]

Ok, let's start by following the electron flow through this wire....

Could you tell that things are a little slow at work?

-Rickster-