wrote:
On Feb 22, 8:53 pm, ZZ wrote:
AK wrote:
Can anyone tell me what a typical power consumption for a PDA is? I
got ipaq 3950, but I guess they all must all be close.
Hi AK,

I have carefully measured the current draw of each piece of equipment on
my battery in my ASW20. A few things to keep in mind are...

1. My PDA is a HP iPAQ model 2215 with a standard battery, not the
higher AH battery that is available.
2. The PDA battery is being charged by the 5 VDC tap from my Cambridge 302A
3. I have a Cambridge 303 talking to the 302A.
4. I am using a 14 VDC battery.

The measured current draws are...

Cambridge 302A/303 with PDA disconnected: 80ma.
Cambridge 302A/303 with PDA connected and turned ON: 280ma.

I seems that my 2215 requires about a 200ma charging current.

I hope this helps.

Paul
ZZ

Paul,

What does your PDA draw when the battery is topped off? Have you
compared the draw during charge vs. after charge? Once the charge
circuit is shut down (battery full), the current draw should lessen.

On my Dell Axim, the power button is red when charging, and green when
the battery is topped off. I haven't measured the current during
charge yet, but I bet it'll be a tapered charge, meaning the current
will lessen as the battery gets closer to being topped off. Without a
charge "indicator", it might be hard to tell just what the PDA
requires to run without the extra current required to charge the
battery.

I would imagine that most folks will make sure their PDA is fully
charged before powering it up from the ship's power supply. That's
something I will make sure of since I'm flying with only a 7ah battery
on board.


Dave


Dave

I agree. I usually install my PDA in the glider either fully charged or
nearly so. That's why I said 280ma minus 80ma is ABOUT 200ma.

Knowing this and the approximate draw by other equipment in the glider
should get me close enough to properly match a battery pack to expected
flight time.

Paul
ZZ