Palm Handheld Modifications
Encyclopedia
Several Palm (PDA)
enthusiasts have successfully documented internal and external Handheld Battery modifications to allow longer charge times for their handheld device. Rapidly advancing battery
technology allows smaller and longer lasting batteries to be placed into the space of the original batteries. Modifications of this type can be technically challenging and will almost certainly void any manufacturer warranty and have the potential to damage the modified device permanently.
The Palm Tungsten T3 comes with a built in 900mAh
rechargeable Lithium ion battery
. The T1
and T2
also used a 900mAh battery, but because of the upgraded Palm Tungsten T3 processor the battery life is significantly reduced. The modest battery life is the largest criticism of the Tungsten T3 compared to other Palm models. One of the most popular handhelds of all time, the Palm Tungsten T3 is a typical candidate for battery modification.
The Tungsten T5 however, includes a much newer battery and is therefore a much less likely candidate for replacement, at least not yet. Much fuss has been made over the issue of the iPod's
built-in li-ion battery and the fact that it is not designed to be replaceable. Some have similar concerns over their handhelds batteries and decide to try and remedy the problem themselves, just as was done on the iPod before apple started offering extended warranties: in fact, Apple
iPod
replacement batteries have become somewhat of a favourite for use as external replacements/additions.
Several people have successfully documented replacing the built in Lithium ion battery
with a higher capacity battery, increasing time the T3 can be used without charging. . Batteries of 1100mAh are available that fit just fine. However, disassembling the case is complicated by 5 small metal tabs, not mentioned by most online instruction pages: 2 on each sides, and one on the back just above the docking connector, which must be released as one of the first disassembly steps (for example, by inserting a very thin shin and pushing it gently down, while pulling the bottom panel down enough to clear it).
The biggest problem when upgrading the T3 battery to even higher capacity, however, is that there is limited space within the handheld shell for a larger battery. Hence, modification typically requires some crushing of the replacement battery to make it fit and/or irreversible modification to the internal components of the shell (for example the stylus holder). Another problem is that Lithium-Ion batteries require a regulator circuit to regulate battery charge preventing damage, and so replacement batteries either require a built in one or a grafted regulator circuit added.
Homemade devices with higher mAh power supplies have been made by some enthusiasts to increase the external charge. These can either plug directly into the Palm Universal Connector
(on older handhelds), the Palm Multi-Connector
or hard-wired directly into the devices power terminals on the motherboard
.
and Wi-Fi
extensively will find that even with underclocking, the battery life is still rather short as wireless usage tends to use up more power.
Palm (PDA)
Palm handhelds were Personal Digital Assistants which ran the Palm OS. Palm devices have evolved from handhelds to smartphones which run Palm OS, WebOS, and Windows Mobile...
enthusiasts have successfully documented internal and external Handheld Battery modifications to allow longer charge times for their handheld device. Rapidly advancing battery
Battery (electricity)
An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Since the invention of the first battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta and especially since the technically improved Daniell cell in 1836, batteries have become a common power...
technology allows smaller and longer lasting batteries to be placed into the space of the original batteries. Modifications of this type can be technically challenging and will almost certainly void any manufacturer warranty and have the potential to damage the modified device permanently.
Popular Modifications
Many PDAs are not suitable for modification or do not require it; the newest devices include advanced high-capacity batteries, whilst some devices cannot be dismantled without permanent damage.The Palm Tungsten T3 comes with a built in 900mAh
Ampere-hour
An ampere-hour or amp-hour is a unit of electric charge, with sub-units milliampere-hour and milliampere second...
rechargeable Lithium ion battery
Lithium ion battery
A lithium-ion battery is a family of rechargeable battery types in which lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge, and back when charging. Chemistry, performance, cost, and safety characteristics vary across LIB types...
. The T1
Tungsten Handheld
The Tungsten series was Palm, Inc.'s line of business-class Palm OS-based PDAs. With the purchase of the Palm name from PalmSource, Palm has dropped the Tungsten name from its newer offerings. , only the Tungsten E2 continues to use the Tungsten name...
and T2
Tungsten Handheld
The Tungsten series was Palm, Inc.'s line of business-class Palm OS-based PDAs. With the purchase of the Palm name from PalmSource, Palm has dropped the Tungsten name from its newer offerings. , only the Tungsten E2 continues to use the Tungsten name...
also used a 900mAh battery, but because of the upgraded Palm Tungsten T3 processor the battery life is significantly reduced. The modest battery life is the largest criticism of the Tungsten T3 compared to other Palm models. One of the most popular handhelds of all time, the Palm Tungsten T3 is a typical candidate for battery modification.
The Tungsten T5 however, includes a much newer battery and is therefore a much less likely candidate for replacement, at least not yet. Much fuss has been made over the issue of the iPod's
IPod
iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
built-in li-ion battery and the fact that it is not designed to be replaceable. Some have similar concerns over their handhelds batteries and decide to try and remedy the problem themselves, just as was done on the iPod before apple started offering extended warranties: in fact, Apple
Apple Computer
Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. The company's best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad...
iPod
IPod
iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
replacement batteries have become somewhat of a favourite for use as external replacements/additions.
Replacing the internal battery
A popular method discussed extensively on the brighthand.com and spug.net for modification have involved opening the case and removing the original 900mAh battery and replacing it with various higher capacity batteries, or simply replacing it because of age (a replacement battery costs a small fraction of the manufacturer's battery-replacement charge).Several people have successfully documented replacing the built in Lithium ion battery
Lithium ion battery
A lithium-ion battery is a family of rechargeable battery types in which lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge, and back when charging. Chemistry, performance, cost, and safety characteristics vary across LIB types...
with a higher capacity battery, increasing time the T3 can be used without charging. . Batteries of 1100mAh are available that fit just fine. However, disassembling the case is complicated by 5 small metal tabs, not mentioned by most online instruction pages: 2 on each sides, and one on the back just above the docking connector, which must be released as one of the first disassembly steps (for example, by inserting a very thin shin and pushing it gently down, while pulling the bottom panel down enough to clear it).
The biggest problem when upgrading the T3 battery to even higher capacity, however, is that there is limited space within the handheld shell for a larger battery. Hence, modification typically requires some crushing of the replacement battery to make it fit and/or irreversible modification to the internal components of the shell (for example the stylus holder). Another problem is that Lithium-Ion batteries require a regulator circuit to regulate battery charge preventing damage, and so replacement batteries either require a built in one or a grafted regulator circuit added.
The battery replacement process
Many guides have been written on the battery replacement process, including many users of popular PDA forums such as brighthand.com and spug.net . Many companies that supply PDA parts also provide their own guides for battery replacement; these are usually less radical and require little or no actual modification. Most guides include a clear disclaimer explaining the dangers involved and the definite loss of warranty from the vendor/manufacturer. Specific examples of step-by-step guides can be found below in the links section.External power modifications
PalmOne released a Power2Go modification which allows the palm device to receive charge from an external battery pack. Many cheap alternatives are available from online electronics stores and auctions such as eBay. These devices usually supply power from four AA size batteries, allowing for more flexibility in storage capacity as exhausted batteries can be replaced as required.Homemade devices with higher mAh power supplies have been made by some enthusiasts to increase the external charge. These can either plug directly into the Palm Universal Connector
Palm Universal Connector
The Universal Connector was a standard port fitted to the bottom of many Palm PDA's from 2001 to 2004 and on units from other manufacturers that licensed Palm technology, including Garmin....
(on older handhelds), the Palm Multi-Connector
Palm Multi-Connector
The Palm Multi-Connector is a power, audio and data interface connector designed by Palm, Inc.-Use:The connector is used by: LifeDrive, Tungsten E2, Tungsten T5, Treo 650, Treo 680, Treo 700p, Treo 750, Palm TX, Palm Centro....
or hard-wired directly into the devices power terminals on the motherboard
Motherboard
In personal computers, a motherboard is the central printed circuit board in many modern computers and holds many of the crucial components of the system, providing connectors for other peripherals. The motherboard is sometimes alternatively known as the mainboard, system board, or, on Apple...
.
Clock speed reduction
As the T3 is using a 400MHz processor, using the same 900mAH battery from T1 and T2 just doesn't cut it. The best way to extend the battery life of a T3 easily, is to use underclocking software like PXA clocker, Lightspeed or Warpspeed. This can give about 5-6 hours of runtime. However users who uses BluetoothBluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
and Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
extensively will find that even with underclocking, the battery life is still rather short as wireless usage tends to use up more power.
Over/Underclockers
- http://www.clievideo.com/default.asp?item=1 - Lightspeed
- http://www.palmpowerups.com - Warpspeed and Dynaclock
- http://www.vistabug.com/pxaclocker/ - PXA Clocker
T3 Battery Replacement
- http://www.pdainternalbattery.com/palm/tungsteninstall.htm
- http://forum.brighthand.com/showthread.php?t=221125
- http://forum.brighthand.com/showthread.php?t=74036&page=3&highlight=battery+mod
- http://www.spug.sg/forums/showthread.php?t=64040 - One method of T3 battery Replacement
- http://www.pspilot.de/ppptun3/ppptun3.html#T2a - Instructions how to open a palm T3
- http://www.Palm.com - Official International Palm site including link to Palm store.
External Battery Packs
- http://www.curriegrad2004.ca/cb_treo_mod/ - Instructions building a battery pack for devices that use the Multi-Connector (Athena) (Archive.org cache)