[bookport] Re: Opinion
- From: "ptorpey" <ptorpey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bookport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2005 09:18:42 -0500
I think the note below is one of the most compelling reasons for using
springs - i.e., as the clips age and many batteries are taken in and
out, the clips tend to not hold the batteries in as tightly. Then,
either the unit stops working because the batteries aren't making good
contact, or the operation is more susceptible to being jostled around
and the batteries will make intermittent contact as the unit is bumped.
Then, the user is tempted to start bending the clips, with not too
surprising results. I've seen this issue myself on other units with
clips.
------- original note ---
From: "Jerry Neufeld" <jerry.neufeld@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [bookport] Re: Clips or Springs
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2005 11:28:57 -0500
Good morning folks.
I purchased my first BookPort unit just over one year ago. As I replaced
batteries, long-life alkaline in this case, the snug fit I originally
had
gradually changed, sufficiently so that I lost connectivity, both during
installation of new batteries and during actual reading. Although
concerned
about the fragility of the clips, I bent one slightly to provide a
better
connection. Again, with time, that clip returned to its old position,
requiring another adjustment. The clip, as I feared, broke off at its
base.
We had to perform some rather difficult surgery in our lab to rebuild
the
connector.
While springs do have their problems, I would strongly suggest that they
be
used in future releases of the hardware to avoid the problem that I had.
As
a poor work around solution, I have begun to use lithium batteries
because
of their very long life, thus requiring fewer replacements and less
stress
on the clips.
If others are experiencing the loose battery problem that I had, I would
suggest making a small square, about a centimeter in width and 3
millimeters
thick, made from aluminum foil, to be inserted between the negative pole
of
the loose battery and the clip. Although a nuisance, this solution will
be
better than trying to work with a broken clip.
Jerry
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