Battery on Neo Geo X Handheld

[Ben Richards]

I am confused about the battery charging recommendations on this. On the website and I think, in the booklet, it states

"How do I charge the battery for the NEOGEO X?
The NEOGEO X must not be charged using a stand alone power supply or USB cable. ALWAYS connect the NEOGEO X to the Docking Station to charge it. How often should I charge my NEOGEO X battery?
As frequently as required – The NEOGEO X uses a Lithium-Ion battery and you will increase the life span of your battery if you wait for the battery to fully deplete before charging.

What I am confused about, is that you must use the docking system to be able to play on a TV or Monitor, and when you do, doesn't it charge the system while you are playing using the dock? So if you play using the dock a good bit, you are diminishing the range of the battery, as you are also charging it when you play it? I agree some of this was not straightened out before it was released. It seems that if you want to preserve the battery, you should only use it to play on TV using the dock when the battery needs recharging. IS that right or AM I confused?

 

[BurntKnucklz]

good point i never thought about this, perhaps the docking station can be used without the ac adaptor and you only plug this in when it needs charging, i haven't actually tried it without the ac adaptor, yet.

 

[yoshi41]

This seems to be contradictionary. Mine (v370) does not work in the docking station without the power adaptor. I assume it always charges while docked (can't really say, since I got it with a UK plug).

However, it works on TV without the power adaptor, when connecting the HDMI cable directly to the handheld (of course no joystick and only one player). Since the picture on TV is not really good and the joystick quality is far away from the original (at least it works on the PC), I will use it only as a handheld. For charging, I just use the Xperia Play cable/adaptor.

 

[BurntKnucklz]

just tested it and yep it has to be hooked up to ac adaptor at least when its in the docking station, now whether the battery is ok to be on constant charge or the circuitry cuts off once its full and kicks back in only when the battery is low i am not sure.

 

[GoosehanX]

Protip: A light comes on the handheld when it is charging. The dock works fine when open.

 

[NEO-GEO man]

"you will increase the life span of your battery if you wait for the battery to fully deplete before charging."

Bullshit you will....

 

[Tehcno]

Protip #2: When system is docked you must turn the dock's power switch to "on".
Protip #3: Forget the stupid dock and use Micro USB to charge system.

What I am confused about, is that you must use the docking system to be able to play on a TV or Monitor, and when you do, doesn't it charge the system while you are playing using the dock? So if you play using the dock a good bit, you are diminishing the range of the battery, as you are also charging it when you play it? I agree some of this was not straightened out before it was released. It seems that if you want to preserve the battery, you should only use it to play on TV using the dock when the battery needs recharging. IS that right or AM I confused?

You know I've been worried about the diminishing of the batteries life by using USB or some other method. Considering the cheapness of the design of this thing, I figured the battery is not very high quality either.

Ever since day one this thing reminded me of a Dingoo (from the insides out).

 

[Lee Gray]

It lasts a decent amount of time before running low and fully charges pretty quick.

 

[yoshi41]

Ever since day one this thing reminded me of a Dingoo (from the insides out).

I wonder why

 

[xarcade]

 

[NEO-GEO man]

What ever that thing is, its got the right aspect screen on it!!

 

[Dr. Jigglin]

Interesting, I always found that whole 'battery conditioning' to be a load of bullshit with lithium ion batteries. Maybe with older type batteries.

 

[pipes]

What ever that thing is, its got the right aspect screen on it!!

Yeah, it's just missing the snk sticker though.

 

[StormShadow]

i think my battery is dead already, or maybe defective. i was wondering if anyone has any ideas for a replacement. i have used my NGX for maybe a total of 7 hours and has been in the dock for most of the time playing it and storing it and now it doesn't seem to want to take a charge any more. bummer, and to think i made a youtube video giving this thing an overall good review even with the video issues. i even tried my galaxy phone cable; i get the charging light but it never charges, even after being on there for hours!

 

[topher]

Are you charging it "properly" through the dock? Handheld powered off, dock powered on? Same with through phone charger, turned off and plugged in? Phone charger meet the voltage specs on Tommo's FAQ page?

Try a soft reset?

From FAQ for soft reset:

"Did you turn off the NEOGEO X from the Station before removing it? Always turn off the NEOGEO X when connecting and disconnecting the Handheld from the Station. Firstly, please press + on the Brightness controllers to ensure that the screen is correctly lit. If there is still no image on screen, a soft re-set of the NEOGEO X may be necessary. To do this connect the NEOGEO X to the Station (in the standard way, with both the NEOGEO X and the Station switched off). Then turn on the Station and the NEOGEO X and please leave alone for 20 minutes for the soft re-set cycle to be completed. You will see NEOGEO X is charging when the light appears on the handheld when you open the Station. After 20 minutes your NEOGEO X should be ready to play!"

 

[StormShadow]

yeah, thanks, but i tried all that. i am thinking about getting another battery from ebay or something and soldering it to the board in place of this one and cross my fingers. this really has me bummed bad too, i just made a modded sd card adapter and cant even test it out.

 

[StormShadow]

i was wondering if anyone may happen to know how many milliamps the battery is. i have found a few that look like they would fit in there, but i want to make sure they have enough milliamps to turn the system on. i suppose i could shoot for the stars on this since it will only take what it needs as long as the voltage doesn't exceed 3.7, but i just want to get as close as original as possible only with a better battery. oh and by the way; is there any "system hard reset"? kind of like when you get an ipod unstuck or something, maybe that might fix my issue. i don't know i am reaching here. i was actually thinking about driving over to Tommo since they are only about a 45 min from my house. i e-mailed them about this with no response. i have monday off so i might just roll on over there and see what i can get done.

 

[digitalkiller]

If you find a replacement (Which all owners will have to do) then I would suggest to cut the wires close to the battery and use connectors like in the old game gear power packs. I don't remember off hand the name but I could crack mine open again and sort it out. If Dean's makes any small enough I'd suggest them over the style used in the power packs. A hobby store likely has them in stock.

 

[Ben Richards]

Interesting, I always found that whole 'battery conditioning' to be a load of bullshit with lithium ion batteries. Maybe with older type batteries.

I don't know crap about these batteries and have always been told to fully deplete them before charging, as it supposedly shortens the life of the battery if you charge it too much. Is this true? My wife always charges her Ipad and cell phone each night and I have told her that she shouldn't, but I may be wrong. I have a PSP, Vita, Ipod/Ipad, Gameboy advance, Neo Geo X, DS/3DS, etc. and have always tried to they are totally dead when charging them. Is this a load of BS or does it really help to wait until they are dead. I still don't understand the Neo Geo X, as every time you use the console, it charges the handheld. Sometimes I wish you could use regular batteries instead of turning to a brick when the battery dies or you have to pay a butt load of money to get it replaced.

 

[Fortune]

If they are using lithium-ion batteries as they claim, then their recommendation runs counter to anything I've ever read about maintaining Li-Ion batteries.

Deep discharge is not good for lithium-ion batteries, and most manufacturers tend to recommend charging them often between uses and not letting them deplete. They do not suffer from memory effect, unlike NiCad batteries which should be fully drained before recharging.

I must be missing something.

 

[PaulBrookfield]

You're not, it's just whoever wrote the FAQ was still using the outdated old folklore about nickel-cadmium batteries. Which was true, for what it's worth.

But Li-Ions are best served by remaining on 50%-40% charges where possible, and avoiding full discharges. This is obviously a pain in the ass and less 'common sense' for people than the old NiCad handling techniques so it goes largely ignored.

 

[Ben Richards]

So what old game devices used NiCad? Did any? Gameboy, DS, PSP? What does Apple use? I have a 3rd Generation touch and it seems to drain pretty fast. Glad for the info as I want to get the most out of my equipment! Do most of the newer machines use the Li-Ions like the Vita, Neo X, and 3ds?

 

[StormShadow]

i just had the strangest thing happen. i was messing with my battery situation and was trying out cell phone batteries and nothing was working then i had an idea since it seemed like my NGX was a paper weight. i soldered the battery directly to a 5v ac adapter to force charge it. i had it on for about a minute and it felt like it was getting warm so i disconnected it then resoldered it back in the NGX and as soon as i did it came back on; i guess i had the power switch on still. i turned it off and put it all back together and threw it in the dock and charged it and it seems all is well. now i don't know if the jump start from the ac adapter got it working again or simply disconnecting it and reconnecting it reset the system, but it is working again and i am good with that.

 

[Gamemaster]

Maybe try a Dingoo replacement sold at DX

http://dx.com/p/3-7v-2300mah-replacement-battery-pack-for-dingoo-a-320-30996

 

[gamesboro]

I'll bet that one will work Gamemaster. The only thing is getting it to fit. I wonder what the dimensions of the battery are compared to the one in your post... I'll take a look at my open NGX I have at work on Monday.