Dumb question about battery

akiratheoni · 10-08-2007, 20:07

Okay, so I love my iAudio X5L but I think my battery's going out; when I charge it overnight, it doesn't charge fully. I've had mine for about one year, nine months or so.

Now, the iAudio X5L is awesome and I would recommend it to anyone. However, I do like to venture out and try other products.

But since my iAudio battery, isn't completely dead, and it's compatible with Linux (the OS i use most often), I'm just thinking of using it as an external hard drive for my computer.

So, I was wondering, I will probably keep using it until the battery dies out completely (keep in mind the only time I will be using it is when it is connected to the computer, charing), and when it does or gets really close to dying, will I still be able to keep it connected to the computer and use it?

Ug. I feel extremely stupid for asking this. Sorry.

breakfastchef · 10-08-2007, 22:29

I believe if you keep the X5L connected to the AC adaptor, you should be able to continue using it as an external HD after the battery has died.

GSV3MiaC · 10-09-2007, 05:15

If you leave it disconnected and the battery voltage drops very low (below what the protection circuit needs to work) then it will not work even as a hard drive. However if the battery life is still above zero, and you charge it occasionally (which'll happen whenever it is connected to the PC) it should keep working.

Just don't put anything supercritical on it! Or you could just get Cowon to swap the battery(ies) for you.

breakfastchef · 10-09-2007, 08:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSV3MiaC

If you leave it disconnected and the battery voltage drops very low (below what the protection circuit needs to work) then it will not work even as a hard drive. However if the battery life is still above zero, and you charge it occasionally (which'll happen whenever it is connected to the PC) it should keep working.

Just don't put anything supercritical on it! Or you could just get Cowon to swap the battery(ies) for you.

Good point about a critically low battery level.

Regarding charging while connected to USB...this can be done if the X5 menu item - PC (charge) - is checked and you use the subpack/cradle USB connection. The X5 will not charge while it is operating, though. This would pose a problem if the unit cuts off during a data transfer.

tsayin · 10-09-2007, 08:53

To clarify that last point,

DO NOT LEAVE the X5 ATTACHED TO A COMPUTER WITHOUT THE AC ADAPTOR!

It doesn't charge through usb unless it is connected through the subpack, usb charging is enabled, AND it is powered off (turned off after plugging it in) and not usable as a hard disk. I think the M5 is different.

GSV3MiaC · 10-09-2007, 09:02

Actually it should charge whether it is powered off or on, but you are right you probably need the subpack USB port (USB2) to charge it. The M5 only has one USB port, a much better plan (no USB to go though).

The M5, at least, only REPORTS on charging if you 'safely disconnect drive', but it is actually charging the whole time as far as I can tell.

breakfastchef · 10-09-2007, 20:56

To further clarify the previous two posts...the X5L will charge if connected to the PC as long as the power is turned off on the X5L as tsayin noted. I believe the manual clearly states this. But, if you run the AC adaptor into the X5L, there should be plenty of power to use the unit as an external HD (until the battery drains beyond some critical level).

The best solution is to replace the batteries. Do it yourself for $10 bucks and some solder or send it to Cowon for replacement.

GSV3MiaC · 10-10-2007, 11:27

Are you SURE the X5 needs to be turned off? My M5L charges whenever it is connected to USB (although you don't get either the screen display, nor the little red LED UNLESS you turn the player off), however even in 'USB connect mode' it IS charging.

Of course if you spin the disk up a lot you may be using more power than you are putting in! Anyway - give it a try and see (I can tell fairly easily, since Rockbox gives me the voltage readout .. after 3 hours 'USB attached' (but no indication it was charging) my M5L went from 3.95v to 4.07v.

breakfastchef · 10-10-2007, 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSV3MiaC

Are you SURE the X5 needs to be turned off?...Of course if you spin the disk up a lot you may be using more power than you are putting in!

Yes, the X5 draws more power than the USB can supply if it is turned on and running. The manual states that the unit must be powered down to recharge via USB, which is why I always recommend that everyone also have an AC Adaptor.

GSV3MiaC · 10-11-2007, 03:21

Yes, the M5L manual says the same thing. =Nevertheless= it still charges if plugged in to USB (assuming you are not using more power than the 1/2 amp USB can supply, which on average you won't be). You just don't get any indications that it is happening.

10-08-2007, 20:07	#1
akiratheoni Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 11	Dumb question about battery Okay, so I love my iAudio X5L but I think my battery's going out; when I charge it overnight, it doesn't charge fully. I've had mine for about one year, nine months or so. Now, the iAudio X5L is awesome and I would recommend it to anyone. However, I do like to venture out and try other products. But since my iAudio battery, isn't completely dead, and it's compatible with Linux (the OS i use most often), I'm just thinking of using it as an external hard drive for my computer. So, I was wondering, I will probably keep using it until the battery dies out completely (keep in mind the only time I will be using it is when it is connected to the computer, charing), and when it does or gets really close to dying, will I still be able to keep it connected to the computer and use it? Ug. I feel extremely stupid for asking this. Sorry.

10-09-2007, 05:15	#3
GSV3MiaC Ancient Cranky Technocrat Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Shropshire, England Posts: 1,348	If you leave it disconnected and the battery voltage drops very low (below what the protection circuit needs to work) then it will not work even as a hard drive. However if the battery life is still above zero, and you charge it occasionally (which'll happen whenever it is connected to the PC) it should keep working. Just don't put anything supercritical on it! Or you could just get Cowon to swap the battery(ies) for you. __________________ iAudio G3 (1GB), M5L (20GB), I7 (8GB) Sennheiser PX100, PMX100, HD595

10-09-2007, 09:02	#6
GSV3MiaC Ancient Cranky Technocrat Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Shropshire, England Posts: 1,348	Actually it should charge whether it is powered off or on, but you are right you probably need the subpack USB port (USB2) to charge it. The M5 only has one USB port, a much better plan (no USB to go though). The M5, at least, only REPORTS on charging if you 'safely disconnect drive', but it is actually charging the whole time as far as I can tell. __________________ iAudio G3 (1GB), M5L (20GB), I7 (8GB) Sennheiser PX100, PMX100, HD595

10-10-2007, 11:27	#8
GSV3MiaC Ancient Cranky Technocrat Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Shropshire, England Posts: 1,348	Are you SURE the X5 needs to be turned off? My M5L charges whenever it is connected to USB (although you don't get either the screen display, nor the little red LED UNLESS you turn the player off), however even in 'USB connect mode' it IS charging. Of course if you spin the disk up a lot you may be using more power than you are putting in! Anyway - give it a try and see (I can tell fairly easily, since Rockbox gives me the voltage readout .. after 3 hours 'USB attached' (but no indication it was charging) my M5L went from 3.95v to 4.07v. __________________ iAudio G3 (1GB), M5L (20GB), I7 (8GB) Sennheiser PX100, PMX100, HD595

10-11-2007, 03:21	#10
GSV3MiaC Ancient Cranky Technocrat Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Shropshire, England Posts: 1,348	Yes, the M5L manual says the same thing. =Nevertheless= it still charges if plugged in to USB (assuming you are not using more power than the 1/2 amp USB can supply, which on average you won't be). You just don't get any indications that it is happening. __________________ iAudio G3 (1GB), M5L (20GB), I7 (8GB) Sennheiser PX100, PMX100, HD595

10-08-2007, 22:29	#2
breakfastchef Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 773	I believe if you keep the X5L connected to the AC adaptor, you should be able to continue using it as an external HD after the battery has died.

10-09-2007, 08:53	#5
tsayin Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 459	To clarify that last point, DO NOT LEAVE the X5 ATTACHED TO A COMPUTER WITHOUT THE AC ADAPTOR! It doesn't charge through usb unless it is connected through the subpack, usb charging is enabled, AND it is powered off (turned off after plugging it in) and not usable as a hard disk. I think the M5 is different.

10-09-2007, 20:56	#7
breakfastchef Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 773	To further clarify the previous two posts...the X5L will charge if connected to the PC as long as the power is turned off on the X5L as tsayin noted. I believe the manual clearly states this. But, if you run the AC adaptor into the X5L, there should be plenty of power to use the unit as an external HD (until the battery drains beyond some critical level). The best solution is to replace the batteries. Do it yourself for $10 bucks and some solder or send it to Cowon for replacement.

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