Hi all,


I hope that you don't mind my jumping in here with my experience with the Tekkeon MP1550 TekCharge. I recently purchased it on January 3 from Maxwho.com for $28.99 delivered. It arrived on January 8.

I decided to use eneloop AA batteries in the unit since I've had good results with them in the past with my digital SLR camera. Their low self-discharge rate makes them a good choice to power the MP1550, in my opinion. So far, what I've seen of the unit seems to make it ideal as a backup power supply. The construction seems solid, and with the included adapters, it can handle a lot more than just the Nokia Internet Tablets. Although I've only tested the hookup with my cell phone, which worked nicely.

Last night I thought that I would test the endurance of the unit while powering my Nokia N800. I've had my N800 for about a month and it is using OS2008.

I topped off the batteries of the N800 using the normal charger, and connected it to my home wifi network. I loaded a web page that would occasionally ask for new data without my intervention (The local Nexrad radar page on weatherunderground.com.) since I would be asleep through much of this. Admittedly this was not working the N800/MP1550 too hard, especially since the screen blanks after 5 minutes. I then removed the N800 from the charger and plugged in the recently fully-charged MP1550. (All three capacity indicators showing green.) Within a minute the N800 indicated that it's battery was once again fully charged. I then went to sleep.

This morning, at the 10 hour mark, when tapping the N800 battery indicator, it continued to read, "Battery full..." and the MP1550 showed three green capacity lights also.

At about 11 hours since the start, I noticed that one of the 3 capacity lights on the MP1550 had started to flicker. And at 11.25 hours, there were two capacity lights showing on the MP1550 and the N800 remained fully charged. Interestingly, it went back up to three lights soon after I stopped checking the N800 status.

At the 11.5 hour, I decided to push it a bit harder by playing a song in a loop in the N800 media player. Output was through a set of small earphones and the volume set on full in the player and half at the N800 main volume control. At 11.75 hours, there were two steady lights and one flickering.

At the 12 hour mark, the N800 showed fully charged and the MP1550 showed two steady green and one flickering capacity light.

As I write this at the 12.25 hour mark, the MP1550 is showing two steady green capacity lights and, of course, the N800 is fully charged.

I'll continue with this test until the N800 goes back to its own battery (the MP1550 is discharged) or 24 hours, whichever comes first and report back. But so far the MP1550 seems to be extending the battery life of the N800 by quite a bit. However, I'm not really pushing it too hard considering the screen dims, then blanks after 5 minutes. But, if the MP1550 were to go dead right now, there would remain the normal full battery time of the N800.

So for my normal usage, this appears to be a nice backup battery solution.


Bill

EDIT: 15 hours since the start... 1 capacity light remains on the MP1550.

15.25 hours: That was quick... from 2 lights to one to none. MP1550 is discharged and the N800 is on its own, with battery showing: When idle 10 days, When in use 7 hours.