11-19-2011, 04:13 AM | #1 |
Evangelist
Posts: 490
Karma: 351398
Join Date: Oct 2010
Device: Kobo Vox and Glo
|
Extending the life of your battery aka angle connectors
My last five year old laptop battery still runs for 30 minutes. I seldom used it while on the battery. I would drag the AC adapter everywhere reasonably possible. Much better than my previous laptop.
So what does this have to do with the Vox? I poke about on eBay and I see various micro USB right angle adapter cables. Thus greatly increasing it's battery life. However not all of the relevant items for sale use the word 'right'. So when searching I'd suggest using 'angle micro usb -"usb a" ' without the single quotes but with the double quotes. This will allow you to more comfortably, in my opinion, hold the Vox while it's plugged in. You will want to carefully scrutinize the bottom of the Vox and, for the $2 or $6, purchase one of each direction. Depending on where your AC adapter is currently located and who knows for the future. For example this particular item has really nice photos of the end so you can easily see if it will suit your current configuration. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/USB-2-0-Right...-/290634701891 However you don't want to purchase that particular item as it has the "standard" USB A connector at the other end. You might also want to purchase an micro USB extension cable of 3' or so as this is a common complaint. A complaint of mine too. HOWEVER, it is possible that the angle adapters and/or micro USB extension cables might drop the 5 VDC enough that the Vox will no longer see a charger. Unlikely but possible. Low voltages are surprisingly tricky in this area compared to the 120/240 VAC we're used to. So instead of a micro USB extension cable you might want to pick up an el cheapo 120 VAC 2 prong extension cord for the other side of the Vox charger. Later: The best I could find that had one of each direction were the following $6 adapters. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/short-micro-u...-/320793428350 and http://www.ebay.ca/itm/short-micro-u...-/320793428348 If you can see others then please post. There were also some up and down adapters at various sites that might suit your particular circumstance better. Last edited by TonyToews; 11-19-2011 at 04:33 AM. |
11-19-2011, 11:48 AM | #2 |
Junior Member
Posts: 5
Karma: 10
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Winnipeg
Device: Kobo Vox
|
Thanks, useful stuff indeed. I'll be making a 'multi-use' cable with right-angle micro usb on one end and some sort of 2 prong connector on the other end(have all kinds in my stash) that can be fitted to any 5v 2a charger(any will work). The aim would be to use with a car charger or longer cord wall charger
[IMG][http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...b_new.svg/IMG] Pin Name Cable color Description 1 VBUS Red +5 V 2 D− White Data − 3 D+ Green Data + 4 ID None Permits distinction of A plug from B plug * A plug: connected to Signal ground * B plug: not connected 5 GND Black Signal ground |
Advert | |
|
11-19-2011, 02:56 PM | #3 |
Connoisseur
Posts: 57
Karma: 1412
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Toronto
Device: Kobo Vox, Kobo (original), Sony Tablet, Sony PRS505
|
That's a great idea. I've been reading in landscape with the Vox plugged in but prefer portrait. Just didn't like that annoying connection in my groin. But isn't the Vox a micro USB B, not A or do I have them mixed up?
|
11-19-2011, 03:16 PM | #4 | |
Evangelist
Posts: 490
Karma: 351398
Join Date: Oct 2010
Device: Kobo Vox and Glo
|
Quote:
And now that I closely look at the links I posted I do see they mention micro B. It looks like the Vox is a Micro B if you look at the diagram down a ways. Note to lurkers. Make up your own mind. And don't blame me if it doesn't work. Later: The official spec page http://www.kobobooks.com/kobovox_tech only states "Micro USB" with no A or B. Last edited by TonyToews; 11-19-2011 at 04:21 PM. |
|
11-19-2011, 03:19 PM | #5 |
Evangelist
Posts: 490
Karma: 351398
Join Date: Oct 2010
Device: Kobo Vox and Glo
|
In thinking about my particular situation I frequently switch between landscape and portrait depending on the web site(s). I'm a bit of a news junkie and will read various websites starting with Google news and then visiting others later such as the National Post or BBC.
Also my AC adapter is about 6" forward of the natural position of the Vox when I use it. So I'm thinking I'm going to get the micro USB connector that is the up/down that goes straight back when I hold the Vox. |
Advert | |
|
11-19-2011, 04:08 PM | #6 |
Connoisseur
Posts: 57
Karma: 1412
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Toronto
Device: Kobo Vox, Kobo (original), Sony Tablet, Sony PRS505
|
And wouldn't you know it? My Sony Tablet has a micro USB A!!
|
11-19-2011, 05:02 PM | #7 |
You kids get off my lawn!
Posts: 4,220
Karma: 73492664
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of
|
|
11-19-2011, 06:41 PM | #8 | |
Evangelist
Posts: 490
Karma: 351398
Join Date: Oct 2010
Device: Kobo Vox and Glo
|
Quote:
|
|
11-20-2011, 04:11 AM | #9 |
Evangelist
Posts: 490
Karma: 351398
Join Date: Oct 2010
Device: Kobo Vox and Glo
|
I suddenly thought of swivel connectors which I thought was a brilliant idea. (I'm modest too.) However the only Micro USB B swivel connectors have a full sized USB connector at the other side. Oh well.
|
11-20-2011, 04:49 AM | #10 |
Groupie
Posts: 190
Karma: 157090
Join Date: Nov 2011
Device: Kobo, Kobo Vox
|
Why does it have to be an angle connector? I'm super confused.
|
11-20-2011, 02:48 PM | #11 |
Evangelist
Posts: 490
Karma: 351398
Join Date: Oct 2010
Device: Kobo Vox and Glo
|
If you are resting the Vox on your body and you have the Vox plugged in, then, when held vertical, the power cable has a twist in it and there is sideways stress on the connector within the Vox. But using some kind of angled connector any stress is straight up and down and it's somewhat more comfortable resting it on your body.
I've seen enough things over the decades that I prefer to minimize any such twisting stresses especially for the few dollars these cost on eBay or similar. Especially compared to retail at $30 or $40 which means I'd never buy such. Last edited by TonyToews; 11-20-2011 at 09:50 PM. |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
iLiad iLiad Battery Hacks: Part 2 -- 35 hours of battery life! A how-to guide. | jharker | iRex Developer's Corner | 107 | 11-15-2013 08:15 AM |
O Battery life, battery, wherefore art thou, battery life? | DeusExMe | Amazon Kindle | 30 | 02-21-2012 06:28 PM |
battery life (not charge life) | soondai | Amazon Kindle | 12 | 09-11-2010 06:37 AM |
Best firmware for Hanlin V5 aka Bebook Mini aka Papyre 5.1? | javimm | HanLin eBook | 1 | 01-11-2010 05:37 PM |