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Satmap battery indicator & operating durations v 1.400

 
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ElCapitan
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Joined: Mar 20, 2009
Posts: 22
Location: North Yorkshire

PostPosted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:41 pm    Post subject: Satmap battery indicator & operating durations v 1.400 Reply with quote

One of the changes listed on Satmap’s software Version 1.400 update page concerns the battery indicator which “has been improved to show more accurate power metering for Lithium batteries as well as showing when it is fully charged.”

I have been conducting some battery indicator trials with my Active A10 in the house to make the results comparable. Figures quoted below are averages over several tests for each of the 2 battery types.

Hopefully the results will help prevent people from getting caught out by an unexpected shortage of power. In terms of hours of use in the field rather than percentages, please refer to my posting on this Forum "Satmap power options review – July 2009" which gives examples of how long users have managed to get from different types of fully charged batteries.

Settings used during the tests:
Screen off after 30 seconds.
Energy saving – GPS screen updates every 4 seconds.
Backlight – 70%.
I checked the unit hourly, then every 15 minutes towards the end of each test.

Key points:
Using Energizer 2500 mAh NiMH AA cells, when 3 bars appear the unit only has about 35% of its operating time left before it automatically shuts down, assuming that the user continues to use it in the same way since first switched on.
When 2 bars appear, about 28% of its operating time remains.
When 1 bar appears, about 13% of its operating time remains.

Using the Satmap Li-Pol battery (high capacity, not the new slim one), when 3 bars appear the unit merely has about 6% of its operating time left.
When 2 bars appear, about 3% of its operating time remains.
When 1 bar appears, about 2% of its operating time remains.
When recharging from the mains, turn the Satmap off and leave it on charge for 9 to 10 hours to get a slightly higher charge.
The lightning flash does not disappear when the battery is fully charged.

With regards,
Tim
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4ndynorfolk
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Joined: Jul 02, 2008
Posts: 237
Location: Norfolk

PostPosted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for your hard work Tim.

Just goes to show how ueless the current indicator is.

As I suggested in the wishlist thread, a simple percentage figure would be much more useful. That system works very well on my PDA, though that only has one battery option.
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rothers
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Joined: Mar 28, 2007
Posts: 134

PostPosted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I find the same thing, new battery level indicator is useless with the LiPol battery. Stays for ages on 4 bars but once on 3 bars it's minutes before completely flat. Also lightning indicator never goes out even when fully charged.
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themib
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Joined: Jul 13, 2008
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 11:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Li-Poly discharge curve is very flat, so the indcators are a result of the technology, not the Satmap
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satmapian
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Joined: Jan 14, 2009
Posts: 59

PostPosted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cheers Tim - very useful to know.
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djhpk
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Joined: Jan 14, 2008
Posts: 28
Location: High Peak

PostPosted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 9:44 pm    Post subject: Satmap battery indicator & operating durations v 1.400 Reply with quote

rothers said

Quote:
Also lightning indicator never goes out even when fully charged


However, when charging my LiPol battery overnight on the mains, I have found that the lightning indicator does go out!

Both with the 1.4 software and with its predecessor.
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RavingDave
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Joined: Oct 14, 2006
Posts: 111

PostPosted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 12:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Had the same issue with disposable Energizer Lithium AA batteries. Set off with indicator showing fully charge, then an hour later went directly to 1 red bar before switching off a couple of minutes later.

Think I'll stick with my Ni-MH re-chargeables which at least count down the battery indicator bars over a reasonable timescale. I'll also remember to take a spare set!
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