HC2 recharging questions

[zr1rob]

if the unit is off, then plug in recharger USB cable to the unit, it doesn't always recharge. If I plug charger cable in, press the black button, the charging screen will come up on the HC2 and eventually says "CHARGING". But if I don't press the button so the screen doesn't come up, it doesn't always recharge. So I'm wondering, is that the protocol: unit off, connect charge cable, press black button so charging screen comes up and we get to charging?

[nodcc4me]

Do you plug the charger into the outlet before connecting the HC? If I don't do that it will not charge.

[zr1rob]

Do you plug the charger into the outlet before connecting the HC? If I don't do that it will not charge.

I gotta ask - if you are the HC2, what difference does it make if the cable is plugged into the AC adapter before connection or after?

[nodcc4me]

I can't explain why it works that way, but it does. Both of mine work that way.

[William Brillinger]

From Page 26 of the HC-2 Manual:

____________________

Charging
Your HC has built in rechargeable batteries. To charge your HC:
1. Turn your HC off by pressing the “Power Off” button on the Main Page.
2. Place your HC on a flat surface with the screen pointing up. Be sure your HC is
not in direct sunlight or any cooling or heating vent is blowing directly on your
HC while it is charging.

For HC-2b only
3. Plug the PA-3 power adapter into a wall outlet. Plug the supplied USB cable
into the PA-3 and then into the HC. If your HC is charging properly, you should
see “Charging” on the screen. When your HC is done charging the display will
show “Done.”

For HC-2 and HC-1 only
3. Plug your PA-1 power adapter into the left side of your HC. If your HC is
charging properly, you should see “Charging” on the screen. When your HC
is done charging the display will show “Done
4. Unplug the power adapter after the screen displays “Done.” The HC will
automatically turn off shortly after displaying “Done.”
____________________

I expect the HC-2B only checks for charging operations at the moment it detects the plug is inserted, if there is no power there, then it's not time to charge.

[G8B4Life]

Almost right Bill, it's not the presence of power but the absence of data that allows the HC-2b to charge when the cable is inserted, that's why to charge the HC-2b from the PC I had to blank out the data pins on the USB cable with kapton tape.

- Tim