Charging

[Sandpiper]

So I saw the instructions on the screen.  Plug it in to charge it.  I did.  Later started reading instruction book.  Green light when it's charging.  So I looked some time after I had plugged it in.  No light?  Wiggled stuff a little.  Now the charging / power light is yellow.  What's happening?

[Leslie]

I think the light goes out when it's charged. I'd say the difference between green/yellow might just be the angle that you are looking at it. I've noticed my light looks different colors. Sometimes it looks orange!

I read somewhere that once it is charged (light out) you should unplug it because it will start de-charging.

L

[Sandpiper]

Light is out again.  I'll unplug it.  It has been plugged in for about 1.75 hours.  Thought I read some place takes 2 hours to fully charge?

[Leslie]

Light is out again.  I'll unplug it.  It has been plugged in for about 1.75 hours.  Thought I read some place takes 2 hours to fully charge?

Yes. But I think many of them are shipped with a partial charge. I know mine turned on before I plugged it in (I was too excited to get the plug out of the box!).

L

[Ann in Arlington]

I read somewhere that once it is charged (light out) you should unplug it because it will start de-charging.

L

My understanding is that the light is on while charging and goes off when full.  But it doesn't d-charge if you fail to unplug it right away.  In fact it will keep it topped up if, say, you have whispernet on and stuff comes down while the rest of the machine is sleeping.

I have, however, heard bad things about leaving it plugged into a computer. . .that will apparently use it up pretty fast as well or else the computer will try to recharge it but will die trying  :-)  I forget what the issue was exactly but the moral of the story was:  you can't charge a Kindle via the USB on a computer, because the mini USB in the Kindle is not set up for it.

Ann

[Leslie]

While we are on the topic of charging....

An area of debate amongst the world of passionate Kindle owners is, Will the USB cable charge your Kindle?

I am firmly in the camp that believes no it will not. I have heard of two people who went on trips with only the USB, their Kindle, and laptop, thinking the USB would charge their Kindle, like it does for the iPhone. Within 24 hours in both cases the Kindle was dead as a doornail.

Some people have tried to convince me that the USB does, in fact, provide a trickle charge. They tell me that: 1) computer needs to be on; 2) Kindle needs to be off; and 3) it must be allowed to charge for 20 hours. (Do they really expect me to be Kindle-less for 20 hours? LOL). I actually haven't tried this scenario to see if it is true. I sort of wonder what does computer "on" mean? Are sleep mode or hibernate okay?

Moral of the story: if you go on a trip, take the charger. Do not rely on the USB! That would be my advice.

Leslie

[Leslie]

Great minds, Ann, great minds!!

L

[Susan B]

They actually survived 20 hours without a Kindle fix?

[Leslie]

They actually survived 20 hours without a Kindle fix?

That's what this person said. Hard to believe, isn't it? 

[Sandpiper]

I like to keep it simple.  Regular charge for me -- no USB.  I love it.  I've just been reading the User's Guide.  Guess it's about time to get my first book.

[Tris]

I never really charge anything with my computer, but what I'm wondering if I can charge my Kindle with my iPod's recharging adapter.  I mean it works directly from my iPod's USB cable and it is written that it could recharge other electronics as well...hmmm.  I really want to try it but alas, my dad has the adapter/charger with him (he's on an international trip, so I let him borrow it).

On this whole computer USB recharging though, I personally think it does 'recharge' but it's such a trickle that it probably doesn't do much of anything.  I remember when I hooked my Kindle to my computer to download some free classics, the recharge light did come on, but not enough to even move the little battery bar...and I kept it on for at least 2 hours (I was watching a fun tv show at the same time).

But perhaps I'm wrong.  I mean I'm still trying to get used to this whole Kindle recharging thing.  Having to recharge the Kindle when it's not empty is wierd...

Tris

[Ann in Arlington]

I think. . . . . .that the difference is the little round plug is designed to have power go in the Kindle.  The mini USB is just designed for data.  Some devices, like my phone, use the same for both.  But even my phone won't charge if ONLY plugged into the computer, I have to plug it into the wall, or use the special cradle that, itself, connects to both the computer and house current.

Ann

[Sandpiper]

Right, Tris.  Most other "devices" are supposed to be charged only when they have (nearly) run down.  But the Kindle is supposed to be charged often?  Yes?

[Leslie]

Yes. They recommend that the Kindle be charged regularly. I don't think mine has ever gone below half a bar, actually. I keep the charger plugged in near to the table where I always am with my laptop (aka, the kitchen table) so I usually just plug WSB in when I am sitting here.

L

[Tris]

I have to say that I was thinking the same thing as you, Ann.  However I haven't tried it out yet...still in theory.

See it's wierd because now the whole battery life issue is changing for each electronic gadget that I have.  Like my phone that has to be recharged when the little 'beep' noise signaling 'low battery'...basically dead battery.  Then there is my iPod which you should charge for only an hour for a 90-95% charge because if you consistantly charge it 100% full, it ticks down the battery (apparently the battery can only sustain a certain number of full battery charges...very sneaky Apple).  My laptop is pretty much the same thing as the iPod but just suggest to leave it connected to the power supply at all times when not traveling. 

Tris

[Leslie]

Because of all the old laptops I had with crappy batteries, I only use the laptop battery in extreme emergencies. At airports, I am that person with the backpack, skulking around looking for a plug.

The battery on my iPhone sucks and if someone could tell me what I am doing wrong, I'd appreciate it.

Then...my Kindle. Battery heaven...I plug it in because I want to plug it in, not because it tells me it needs it.

L

[happypuppy007]

Because of all the old laptops I had with crappy batteries, I only use the laptop battery in extreme emergencies. At airports, I am that person with the backpack, skulking around looking for a plug.

The battery on my iPhone sucks and if someone could tell me what I am doing wrong, I'd appreciate it.

Then...my Kindle. Battery heaven...I plug it in because I want to plug it in, not because it tells me it needs it.

L

Which Iphone do you have?  The first gen's battery life was better then the 3G.  The 3G has a lot more functions and this is why the battery seems so bad.  If you have the 'push' service on for email and such (Fetch New Data in settings), along with 3G, and bluetooth it really drains the battery fast.  For me it seems that bluetooth really drains it the fastest ( i have the 16gig 3G).  If you need to conserve battery life, turn off bluetooth and push and that should help a bit.  I use the wireless at home and that helps as well.
I plug mine in every night before bed.  Have you done all the updates?  After the last update my battery seems a little bit better.

[Leslie]

Which Iphone do you have?  The first gen's battery life was better then the 3G.  The 3G has a lot more functions and this is why the battery seems so bad.  If you have the 'push' service on for email and such (Fetch New Data in settings), along with 3G, and bluetooth it really drains the battery fast.  For me it seems that bluetooth really drains it the fastest ( i have the 16gig 3G).  If you need to conserve battery life, turn off bluetooth and push and that should help a bit.  I use the wireless at home and that helps as well.
I plug mine in every night before bed.  Have you done all the updates?  After the last update my battery seems a little bit better.

I am actually one of 499 people (along with my husband, he has one too) who happen to own the 4 MB 1st gen iPhone. Yeah, 4 MB. It works fine for me but the battery is lousy and seems worse than my husband's, which makes me wonder what is going on with mine.

He wants to upgrade to a new 3G and is trying to persuade me to take HIS old 4 MB phone...on the entire argument that the battery is better! LOL...he hasn't convinced me yet!

L

[happypuppy007]

Which Iphone do you have?  The first gen's battery life was better then the 3G.  The 3G has a lot more functions and this is why the battery seems so bad.  If you have the 'push' service on for email and such (Fetch New Data in settings), along with 3G, and bluetooth it really drains the battery fast.  For me it seems that bluetooth really drains it the fastest ( i have the 16gig 3G).  If you need to conserve battery life, turn off bluetooth and push and that should help a bit.  I use the wireless at home and that helps as well.
I plug mine in every night before bed.  Have you done all the updates?  After the last update my battery seems a little bit better.

I am actually one of 499 people (along with my husband, he has one too) who happen to own the 4 MB 1st gen iPhone. Yeah, 4 MB. It works fine for me but the battery is lousy and seems worse than my husband's, which makes me wonder what is going on with mine.

He wants to upgrade to a new 3G and is trying to persuade me to take HIS old 4 MB phone...on the entire argument that the battery is better! LOL...he hasn't convinced me yet!

L

Hmmm odd.  My first gen iphone's battery was fine and well the 3G is going to be worse as far as battery power goes but I love mine to bits!  Even if the push service for the instant messaging we were promised by September hasn't ever materialized.   So far this is my biggest gripe and it's not that big of a deal but I do use the IM services a lot in business and for my personal life. 
I big puffy heart my Iphone.  I'm a huge gadget freak.

[Kirstin]

  I went on an overnight trip and and did not have time to charge it before I left.  Even though I still had half a charge and knew I'd probably be OK, I took the charger with me - just in case!!   I can't be w/o my Kindle (which I have not named yet and it is starting to bother me).

[Betsy the Quilter]

  I can't be w/o my Kindle (which I have not named yet and it is starting to bother me).

Don't worry, the right name will come to you!  I've heard of people taking their newborn babies home from the hospital without names, for as much as a week!!!!

Betsy

[Avalon]

  I can't be w/o my Kindle (which I have not named yet and it is starting to bother me).

Don't worry, the right name will come to you!  I've heard of people taking their newborn babies home from the hospital without names, for as much as a week!!!!

Betsy

Betsy, I am one of those people!  Twice we've left the hospital without a birth certificate, had to go back later to fill in the blank.  Our youngest was named on the way to the Baptism

[Betsy the Quilter]

Betsy, I am one of those people!  Twice we've left the hospital without a birth certificate, had to go back later to fill in the blank.  Our youngest was named on the way to the Baptism

LOL!  Nothing like a little pressure!

[Betsy the Quilter]

Betsy, I am one of those people!  Twice we've left the hospital without a birth certificate, had to go back later to fill in the blank.  Our youngest was named on the way to the Baptism

I'm assuming it was an infant baptism!

[jmiked]

(apparently the battery can only sustain a certain number of full battery charges...very sneaky Apple). 

This is not unusual. And it’s not Apple’s fault (since they don’t manufacture the battery), they just inform their users up front. Different battery types require different charging procedures and have different cycle lives. The best advice on battery treatment I got from an engineer was “charge it whenever you like, and when the battery goes bad, then replace it.”

There may be more battery charging myths around than any other type. I keep my laptop, cell phone and Palm devices plugged into the charger all the time. Everything else is as whim dictates, and that is not consistent.

Mike