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Author Topic: Battery life? issue with wiimote  (Read 6056 times)

Offline curtland

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on: April 08, 2009, 06:24:24 PM
I have been using the smoothboard (v0.2)  starting with one class as a pilot, but I am trying to expand.  I seem to have a problem with battery life.

It seems to turn off after about 4 hours and will make the lights flash when the buttons are pushed to sync.  The battery life meter states that it is 55.73%.  Due to the location, batteries are the best option.  (Wiimote is on the ceiling and the projector is on a table as it is portable).  It has great tracking.

I am not sure what I am missing here.

Batteries:  Energizer NiMH 1.2V AA
OS:  Windows Vista
Bluetooth:  Kensington V2.0 + EDR (the Bluesoleil was defective from factory)



Additional info, not sure if it is relevant.

These batteries are charged on a 15 min charger, when full the meter says they are about 60% (only 5% above when it shuts off).

I really
It seems that maybe it turns off when not being used?

IR Pen was made from an old electric toothbrush housing (only needed to swap out the switch from an old telephone).

Is there a better battery setup?  Disposable batteries each day seems a bit expensive.

Thanks for any help,

Steve


Offline boonjin

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Reply #1 on: April 08, 2009, 07:19:10 PM
Quote from: curtland on April 08, 2009, 06:24:24 PM
I have been using the smoothboard (v0.2)  starting with one class as a pilot, but I am trying to expand.  I seem to have a problem with battery life.

It seems to turn off after about 4 hours and will make the lights flash when the buttons are pushed to sync.  The battery life meter states that it is 55.73%.  Due to the location, batteries are the best option.  (Wiimote is on the ceiling and the projector is on a table as it is portable).  It has great tracking.

I am not sure what I am missing here.

Batteries:  Energizer NiMH 1.2V AA
OS:  Windows Vista
Bluetooth:  Kensington V2.0 + EDR (the Bluesoleil was defective from factory)



Additional info, not sure if it is relevant.

These batteries are charged on a 15 min charger, when full the meter says they are about 60% (only 5% above when it shuts off).

I really
It seems that maybe it turns off when not being used?

IR Pen was made from an old electric toothbrush housing (only needed to swap out the switch from an old telephone).

Is there a better battery setup?  Disposable batteries each day seems a bit expensive.

Thanks for any help,

Steve


Hi Steve,

The Brian Peek's library that I am using does not update the battery status in real time.

What is the capacity of your rechargeable batteries?
You should charge the batteries fully instead of using the quick charger.

Btw, I have already released Smoothboard 1.0 at http://www.smoothboard.net

Regards,
Boon Jin

Smoothboard
Wii Whiteboard/Wiimote Whiteboard with annotation features and collaborate with multiple iPads and Android Tablets!

Smoothboard for Mac
Using a Mac? Now you can annotate on PowerPoint or Keynote slideshows!

BoonJin[/url

Offline curtland

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Reply #2 on: April 08, 2009, 08:20:07 PM
Boon Jin,

I am slow charging now, I will see if that works.  I just noticed the new version today.  It looks very good.   If I overcome this problem, I will probably upgrade.

Thanks for the help.  What type of battery life should I expect from rechargeable batteries?

Steve


Offline hagoh88

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Reply #3 on: April 09, 2009, 02:33:39 AM
Hi Steve

You should use a AC-DC convertor similar to the setup by Bubka

http://www.wiimoteproject.com/general-hardware-talk/wiimote-wii-remote-ad-to-dc-powered/

Just make sure your voltage at the wiimote is between 2.5 - 3 V DC - please measure using multimeter as the voltage indicated by the AC-DC convertor might not be correct. Too high a Voltage would fry the wiimote.

With such a setup you will never need to take down the wiimote at all

Hope that helps

Regards

hagoh


Offline boonjin

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Reply #4 on: April 09, 2009, 03:03:16 AM
Quote from: curtland on April 08, 2009, 08:20:07 PM
Boon Jin,

I am slow charging now, I will see if that works.  I just noticed the new version today.  It looks very good.   If I overcome this problem, I will probably upgrade.

Thanks for the help.  What type of battery life should I expect from rechargeable batteries?

Steve

Hi Steve,

From my own usage, as I develop the software while the Wiimotes are connected, I am able to get the Wiimotes running from Morning till night without disconnecting. Then, at night I charge the batteries again and reuse for the next day.

The batteries I am using now are 2700mAh GP batteries.

Regards,
Boon Jin

Smoothboard
Wii Whiteboard/Wiimote Whiteboard with annotation features and collaborate with multiple iPads and Android Tablets!

Smoothboard for Mac
Using a Mac? Now you can annotate on PowerPoint or Keynote slideshows!

BoonJin[/url

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