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Gadget power
November 2, 2006

So now that I have my new PDA and cell phone, each of which comes with a battery charger. But, I don't want to carry two chargers on every trip, but I like to have a spare charger for the road and leave the original charger at home. With a little thought and a browser, I found several options that make using one charger for both possible.

There's more to the problem. The PDA uses a combination power/sync cable. To use the charger, you plug it into a socket at the PDA end of the cable. That leaves the USB end of cable is left dangling where it can get damaged. HP offer a solution in the form of a charger adapter connector for $12.99. that's a lot for a connector.

Fortunately, the PDA and cell phone both use 5V chargers. The battery chargers have different current ratings--2000 mA for the PDA and 350 mA for the phone--and have different connectors. Here are some options I've explored for using one charger for either the PDA or the phone.

Option 1: Buy the chargers from their sources. I know that I'm getting the right chargers and they'll work properly, but I end up with two chargers. There has to be a better way to use one charger for both.

Option 2: Make an adapter so I can use the PDA charger for both. I started at a local school flea market where I found a 5 V, 400 mA charger. I went to You-Do-It Electronics and found the round plug I needed for the phone, a 1.0 mm x 3.0 mm plug. I also found a 1.7 mm x 4.0 mm plug and a receptable for the PDA charger. I connected the phone plug to the charger's wire and tried to charge the phone. The voltage output was 4.75 V, not enough to suffieiently charge the phone. Replacing the phone plug with the PDAQ plug, I connected the the charger to the PDA. The display flickered. Not a good option. I'd have to bouy a charger.

Option 3: A universal charger. You-Do-it has a universal charger for $19.90 that comes with both plugs. It has 4.5 V aand 6 V settings. I'd just have to make sure I always use the 6 V setting. Ungotunately, I could easily move the output selector switch to the wrong position.

Option 4: A 5-V charger with adapter tips. I found a third-party charger for the PDA that comes with removable tips. The tip plugs into the PDA, but I can remove it to charge the phone. But, the company doesn't yet offer an adapter for my phone. I called and spoke with a knowledgeable sales person who gave me an option not shown online: Use the charger with a short adapter cable that connects to a mini-USB connector. I could cut off the mini-USB connector and attach a plug from You-Do-It to the cell phone. It might work.

Option 5: Charge the devices through USB. The same company makes a combination USB-sync cable and I can use the PDA adapter and make my own adapter for the phone. That's great for business trips where I always have my notebook PC. But I don't carry the PC on vacation.

Right now, I'm leaning towrd Option 4 but I'd like your suggestions on other options.

Posted by Martin Rowe on November 2, 2006 | Comments (0)