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Topic: Cell phone charging problem (Read 3 times) previous topic - next topic
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Cell phone charging problem
Yahoo Message Number: 86063
We have two LG cell phones. One with a virtually new battery. When we are hooked to shore power and using an AC charger both phones will lose power while on standby within 12 hours.

When you use that same charger at the house the phones will retain power in standby for days. Also we have two AC charges and the problem happens with either one.

I also have a DC charger which I haven't tried yet.
 I should add that we had the same problem in the small folding camper we had previously.

Any ideas as to what is causing this?

Jim
Re: Cell phone charging problem
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86068
Hey Jim, If you are in a roaming area or cycling between roaming and regular service your battery will drain much faster. That's all I can think of that might be causing the problem. Good luck.
Cheers..................mike
Re: Cell phone charging problem
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86069
Jim,

While on "standby" your cell phone has to periodically communicate with the nearest cell phone tower.  When it gets a strong signal, it assumes the tower is near by and responds with a weak signal.  When it receives a small signal, it responds with a strong signal knowing the tower must be far away.  When your cell phone is putting out a strong signal it depletes the battery much quicker.  Look at how many "bars" you are getting on the cell phone.  Few bars means your battery will not last as long.  It's that simple.

Alex Rutchka
'05 MB, SE #4
Re: Cell phone charging problem
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86076
If you are inside an aluminum structure (A LD unit) with your cell phone on and no exxternal antenna connection, the aluminum skin will reduce the signal strength.  I would expect that keeping a phone on, inside the rig, with no signal reflector setup or external antenna, would result in the phone constantly using a greater amount of power.
'08 MB
Re: Cell phone charging problem
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86098
Quote
If you are inside an aluminum structure (A LD unit) with your cell phone on and no exxternal antenna connection, the aluminum skin will reduce the signal strength.  I would expect that keeping a phone on,
inside the
 
Quote
rig, with no signal reflector setup or external antenna, would
result in

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the phone constantly using a greater amount of power.
So, Ken, does this mean that Jim (and others) should charge cell phones with them turned off so the cells won't be using power trying to find a signal?  And does it mean keeping the phone turned off til you stop and can step outside the coach to escape the interference of the aluminum skin?  And (I plead ignorance!)where do I find an external antenna for my cell phone, and is it complicated to set up?  Would this be a proprietary accessory that I need to get from the manufacturer of my particular phone, or are there generic atennas available from Car Toys, Radio Shack, etc.?
Re: Cell phone charging problem
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86110
I don't think turning it off is going to change anything as far as charging it goes.  It's just going to use more power while it's trying to find a signal out of the aluminum box.  You're just going to have to charge them more often.  I use my cell phone all the time while in the motorhome and I had never noticed that it burned the battery faster, but it makes sense that it would.  I just keep my car charger plugged into the wall outlet and keep it plugged
Re: Cell phone charging problem
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86117
Dan, beats the heck out of me.  I was taking the comment by another that poor signal strength equals greater power consumption.  I then thought about the effect on signal strength of being inside an aluminum box (in essence a partial Faraday cage, which blocks radio wave propagation).  I do know that others have mounted signal amplifiers and external antennas on their rigs.  I know that equipment exists that takes a signal, inbound or outbound, and boosts that signal.  I think these are called repeaters, and I know nothing about then other than that they exist.
'08 MB
Re: Cell phone charging problem
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86120
I know you can get external antennae that you mount of the top of the motor home, and plug a cord into your phone.  At least I'm assuming you can get them for most phones.  But I've never had a huge problem.
Besides, sometimes when you're going on a Motor home trip, you don't want to get a good cell signal.  Let the boss call someone else for a while.
Re: Cell phone charging problem
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86125
And (I plead ignorance!)where do
 
Quote
I find an external antenna for my cell phone, and is it complicated to set up?

 A Wilson trucker's antenna will work along with the proper adapter cable for your phone.
 Before you run out and buy a Wilson antenna, though, make sure your phone has an adapter cable available for it...not all cell phones do.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Baja Travel
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86157
Hello all - had sent the following to Tessa in TX this am and just got a reply from her suggesting posting this to the group for general interest and incorporating into a link on Mexican travel she's working on, so here 'tis:
 Wow, you're sure an "on top of it" involved lady - where do you find the time to do all you do/have done on your rig and respond to all the posts?  I enjoyed your recent "digest" type response to several posts all in one - good idea.  It's nice that you (as well as most everyone at this site) make everyone feel welcomed.

Anyway, think you were asking about traveling with kids in Baja.
I've never had any, but since the late 50's, have been camping in the Baja with friends and their kids, then eventually the grandkids.  Everything was upper Baja for us till road opened in the mid-70's, when I moved up north and spent long weekends and vacations diving for abalone in northern California.  Anyway, friends then took their vacations further south starting at Mulege and down and around La Paz to the Cape and up to Todos Santos, often camping on beaches between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas that are now resorts and/or golf courses.
There are still wonderful places to camp and visit.

I've always belonged to a Baja travel club, first Mexico West which became Discover Baja, but many friends joined Vagabundos del Mar.
Check them out on the web.  DB has a great on-line newsletter and this month a great article on turtles and a well-known Baja lady, Mama Espinoza, and I'm pleased to be the member profile.

The recent bad news Baja stories aren't new news, but seems surfers and fishermen put themselves in harms way, traveling in the wee hours, alone, camping in remote areas, etc...I caravaned with another couple the first time driving down (in VW campers), then spent several weeks on my own exploring, but always traveling in daylight and camping within shouting distance of others who I'd introduced myself to before (in fact, I did a year around Australia/Tasmania on my own doing the same).

My cousins lead motor tours all over and have done a few month long Baja tours and have mentioned disappointment in the RV parks overbooking, so that might be a consideration to nail down those beforehand.  However, I always enjoyed checking everything out and one trip was just poking into and overnighting in every place I could find in Bahia Conception.

Anyway, checkout the websites and get excited.  Good luck.

Barbara

'93 TK Gray Gypsy
Re: Cell phone charging problem
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86168
Or, you can get a Digital Antenna wireless amp (has an antenna outside and a small one inside. Acts like a repeater, so phone stays on low power but transmits up to 3 watts outside plus has more sensitive reception to. The 30 db version is best for the LD and, like other phone amps with outside antennas, will change a 1-bar signal into a 5-bar signal.

bumper
bumper
"Yonder" '05 MB
"WLDBLU" glider trailer