Will 6 volts via USB hurt my Q?

[DeWat]

Hello all,

I've been following the thread (http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=36158) about the external battery power supply sold by GPS City for the Q. The thing that's bothering me is this... USB voltage is 5 volts and 4 standard AA cells are 6 volts. Will supplying 6 volts over the 5 volt USB circuitry eventually do damage to my Q? I know I can use rechargable batteries at 1.2-1.25 volts each, and come up with the 5 volts that the USB jack cable supplies, but I may be in a pinch one day, and want to buy regular alkalines.

Thanks to all,
DeWat

[kenspice]

I modified a 12v cable to work from a Milwaukee 12v cordless drill battery. It works great and will run the IQue for about 14 hrs. I put the battery in my hiking backpack and go on my merry way. Recharge at night in the camper.

[kenspice]

Forgot to mention--it works great in zip lock bag when fishing. Just put battery cable and you Ique all in the bag, zip it shut. Waterproof AND it floats. I think....

[kenspice]

Forgot to mention--When fishing I just use the battery that comes with the IQue and charge it with the Milwaukee battery. I can keep the iQue with me (in a ziplock bag). It's waterproof And floats....I think

[Nipperhead]

For what it's worth, I just purchased a "Power Runner" external Li-ion battery pack. I bought it mainly for my RCA Lyra Audio/Video "Jukebox" (now THERE'S a hellish story about firmware upgrades I won't bore you with, but 25% of the product's advertised features are not yet implemented in the firmware!).

It uses interchangable adapter tips and comes with 8, and that includes tips that fit both the Palm Universal connector, as well as the iQue's power port. It is output-voltage adjustable (5V is one of the options), and at 6.3Ahr, it would probably power/recharge the 'Q for days! (I got about 12 hours in a full-screen-brightness test with the RCA Lyra, and that has a internal hard drive to power as well). It comes with a case that can be (somewhat awkwardly) clipped to your belt, and a 3' cord to reach the 'Q while in use.

I'll be using it to try and track my air progress on an upcoming coast-to-coast flight (while watching movies on the Lyra!).

-Peter

[serpa4]

I'd like to know also.

[Robertp366]

Back to the original question:

I, and several others here have been using 4 by AA battery packs for some time with no ill effects on the Que. The actual battery voltage of the Que's Li-Ion is 4.20 Volts, and the higher USB voltage (5 to 5.4) provides just barely enough charge current to charge the Que while its on. 6 volts from the 4 AA is OK and provides many hours of operation, recharging the que while running it. I actually think the 6 V charges better than the USB voltage in the cradle.

Others have also used 4 rechargable AA's, which typically are 1.2 to 1.25 volts, or just under 5 volts, also with no reported problems.

Robert

[DeWat]

Thanks Robert!

I know the others are helping, but I've already identified the power source that I would like to use. 12v through the USB connector.... that's scary!!! Maybe to a cigarette light jack that will mate with the nav kit, but I didn't know the palm connector had 12v contacts (maybe it does). Anyway, I'm leaning very strongly towards the GPS City power source, and just using some high capacity rechargables.

Thanks again,
DeWat

[Robertp366]

I actually prefer alkilines to rechargables. The alkalines do a great job at powering and charging the que. My battery case has an on-off switch, and I turn it off after about 45 minutes to an hour - and the que is almost fully recharged and can run on its own again. The alk's last a long time this way and I get hours and hours of operation on one set. I do think the higher voltage actually helps. I've managed an entire weekend hike with just one set of alk's.

I tried some 2100 mAH rechargables, but I did not get nearly as much from them. I'd get a day, but not a weekend.

Robert

[DeWat]

Ok, thanks again Robert. My order has been placed, so I'm just waiting now.

DeWat

[anniek]

Ken, are you saying that you're putting 12 volts into the iQue through a USB to Palm connector cable and not having any problems? (it's not clear what "modified" means)

I haven't had any problem with aUSB to Palm connector with 4 nicads or alkilines--but 12 volts sounds like a lot to ask of an internal regulator...

If 12 volts hasn't hurt your iQue, it makes me more comfortable about what I've been doing.