Category: accessible Devices
A few hours ago, I put my braillenote apex on charge when its battery low warning appeared on the braille display. According to the user guide, the unit should only be charged when it is close to having a dead battery. The braillenote charged until it reached 99%, then it stopped charging. I used the braillenote for a while, figuring that it was still charging. However, after using it for about an hour, I checked the power and saw that it had not reached 100%. As this unit is on loan to me, I'm not sure how old the battery is or how it was used by the last person who had it. Should I buy a replacement battery? Is it normal for the apex to reach 99% and stop charging? If its not normal, how can I fix the issue? I've used several braillenotes in the past, and have not seen them reach 99% and just stop charging like this. The adapter is on, so I know its not an issue with the charger itself.
I can tell you that it has a LiPo battery which I know because I saw the form factor of the
battery at some point. These will trickle charge when almost full and could take a while to
reach 100 percent. If you are really worried you could leave it plugged in for 8 hours or so
to fully charge the battery and then run it down until the unit shuts off to calibrate the
gage. You should note though that this doesn't actually affect the charging; it only helps
the gage better estimate the charge remaining. I am sure its probably fine. As long as you
get a few hours of run time I wouldn't replace the battery.
Yes, calibrating the battery as describe by the poster before me will fix the issue. Its a gauge issue, the battery is probably fine. I did occasionally face the same issue when I used the Apex for school.
Its good to calibrate the gauge once in a while, just charge the Apex fully, use it until the "battery is critical" message is displayed, then charge it fully again.
Ok, my battery is still showing at 99%, should I take it off the charger and run it down as poster two suggestied, even though it hasn't reached 100%? Also, should I really wait until the braillenote says battery low before charging the unit once the gage is fixed?
If its on the charger for more than 4-5 hours, I think you can unplug it and let it run down till its totally flat or when you see the battery is critical message.
I don't think its really necessary to only charge it when you see the "battery is low" message, but I usually do, just because the battery life is just about enough for me to go through my typical day. Sometimes, its just not practical to do that because you need it for the day but the battery might still be at thirty percent or whatever, I'll just charge it up then. I believe recalibrating it once in a while should suffice, maybe once every two to four weeks?
It is said that for phones and such devices it is actually better not to charge them to 100%, but about 85 or 90%. How much time do you really get if a device is at 99% verses 100%?
It is said to allow a device to run down, then charge it, but not fully. This will make your battery last longer.
Thought I'd share that.
Update. After I let the apex charge to 99%, then let it run down until the unit switched off, and recharged it, the battery is at 100%. However, when I plugged it in this morning, I heard what sounded like a double beep, the braillenote reset, then I got the double beep again, followed by another reset. Is this normal for the apex when its battery is ran down to nothing?
Sounds like your unit is pretty old, and it might be time to consider saving for another
device in the near future. Also, it is normal after the battery has completely died for it to
restart.
You can buy a new battery with the Apex-could that be the issue?
Oops, forgot that this is a loaner, ignore previous post.
Yes a loner, so most doesn't matter. If it works okay, it is doing fine.
How far should I let the battery drain in the apex before charging it up after the gauge has been reset?