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HP Forum Archive 18

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41c* card reader use more power when just plugged in?
Message #1 Posted by pespen on 24 July 2008, 4:00 p.m.

Does the 82104A card reader use power when plugged into a 41cx when even when the reader's not being used?

      
Re: 41c* card reader use more power when just plugged in?
Message #2 Posted by Dan Grelinger on 24 July 2008, 5:32 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by pespen

Every plug-in uses some power when plugged in. Most of the time it is a very, very, small amount. The card reader is standing by, ready and willing to pull a card through its slot, even when the HP-41 is turned off. From estimates I've seen of what other modules consume when the HP-41 is turned off, it is very likely some fraction (20%-50%?) of what the HP-41 uses (when it is turned off).

If you're asking the question because your batteries are going dead noticabley faster just because the Card Reader is plugged in, and unused, then something is likely wrong with your card reader.

if you're asking to figure out if it is OK to store you HP-41 with the card reader attached without running the batteries down faster, I'd recommend leaving the card reader attached. If the HP-41 is going to be stored long enough for the card reader battery drain to be significant, then it is likely being stored long enough to remove the batteries to prevent other bad things from happening.

            
Re: 41c* card reader use more power when just plugged in?
Message #3 Posted by pespen on 24 July 2008, 6:29 p.m.,
in response to message #2 by Dan Grelinger

Thanks, I was asking because I was wondering if there was a significant battery drain issue if I leave the card reader attached when my hp41cx is not being used. I've noticed no problem with unusually high battery consumption (yet).

Quote:
Every plug-in uses some power when plugged in. Most of the time it is a very, very, small amount. The card reader is standing by, ready and willing to pull a card through its slot, even when the HP-41 is turned off. From estimates I've seen of what other modules consume when the HP-41 is turned off, it is very likely some fraction (20%-50%?) of what the HP-41 uses (when it is turned off).

If you're asking the question because your batteries are going dead noticabley faster just because the Card Reader is plugged in, and unused, then something is likely wrong with your card reader.

if you're asking to figure out if it is OK to store you HP-41 with the card reader attached without running the batteries down faster, I'd recommend leaving the card reader attached. If the HP-41 is going to be stored long enough for the card reader battery drain to be significant, then it is likely being stored long enough to remove the batteries to prevent other bad things from happening.

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