The PowerPlant

The PowerPlant w/iPaq

One company has made sure that you don't need to worry, at least for the time being. InnergyPower has created a portable charger, in the guise of a leather case for the iPaq.

We received the #1208 model, which can supply 4V @ 2Ah. Yes, the voltage is under the needed specs of the iPaq, but the battery within the iPaq is only 3.7V. As this extra voltage is used to be able to run the unit while charging, it is best to keep the iPaq off while charging with the PowerPlant.

Close up of one battery cell within the case

The construction of the case was unexpected. They used the readily available Targus iPaq case for the iPaq and the iPaq keyboard. Where the keyboard should go is now a battery pack. Two leads protrude from the battery pack, one for charging the battery pack itself, and the other that connects to the iPaq.

Originally, we received a unit that came with a universal charger from RadioShack, but when we exchanged the unit, we received an InnergyPower branded 5V charger. The charger can be used to charge and run the iPaq when you are near an outlet. With this setup from InnergyPower, you receive the best of both worlds – power at home, or power on the go.

The iPaq in the case, and attached (sorry about the white cord)

We depleted the iPaq completely, well, to the 10% mark, and prior to using the InnergyPower charger, made sure that it was fully charged. While the iPaq was off, we monitored the time it took to completely charge the iPaq.

Power Method	Time to Charge
AC Adapter, 5V @ 2A	1hr, 30 min
PowerPlant, 4V @ 2A	Just under 2hr

This is COMPLETELY ACCEPTABLE. The PowerPlant offers a portable solution which will charge the iPaq almost as fast at plugging it into the wall. The only issue, however, was that turning the iPaq on while charging would lead to a longer charge time of approximately 2 and a half hours.

Bear in mind that the ideal use of the PowerPlant is not as a portable charger, but as a battery extender. On average use, which doesn't mean watching a DVD movie you put on your 128MB Compact Flash card, the battery life can be extended about 2 to 3 times. This means that instead of 8 hours of average use life, you're going on 16 to 24 hours. That is of USE TIME! Not idle time while the unit is off, which of course will be extended greatly.

Carrying this case around is fairly simple; however, it won't fit in most pockets. It isn't the fact that the battery is large; it is only 1/3" thick. The case is where the problem lies. After all, it was designed to hold the folded iPaq Stowaway keyboard.

The case in all it's glory (we just unzipped the divider)

InnergyPower offers a different model of the iPaq PowerPlant Battery, the #2208, rated at 4V @ 2.5Ah. This will allow for a shorter charge period, or a longer battery extension lifecycle, but, again, the 4V rating will not truly allow you to run and charge at the same time. This battery is primarily for the newer model iPaqs that have a larger battery capacity than the original iPaq models.

At $98.00 for the #1208, and $102.00 for the #2208, they are both well worth the price. For upgradeability sake, and the $4.00 difference, the best buy would come from the #2208 model. For field work, or even during an energy crisis, both batteries allow for a run time of at least 2 times the internal battery of the iPaq. If you constantly forget to charge the iPaq, or leave it in the car overnight, this is definitely worth more than its weight in gold.