MiFi 2200 Battery life and charging
Jaypse
Newbie

I've had my MiFi for about 3 weeks.  Here is what I am seeing:

 

- about 3.5 hours wireless with light usage (some surfing, email)

- The Power button light is never Amber, only solid green or flashing red (when battery is critically low and beginning to recharge)

 

 

The reason I ask is that I hear tech luminaries like Andy Ihnatko contnue to talk about 6-7 hour battery life.  Do i have a bad unit or what?

 

Any info is appreciated?

 

 

Thanks

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Re: MiFi 2200 Battery life and charging
PDCLarry
Contributor - Level 1

I get 3-4 hours, which is the claimed life for light usage (2 hours for heavy). Today's (6/10) Wall Street Journal had an article on the MiFi that also confirmed 4 hours in their tests. It is a little annoying that it doesn't warn you of low battery until it's too late, and also doesn't tell you when it is fully charged.

 

You can get intermediate state of charge by logging on the the MiFi itself via a wireless connection. Just point a browser to http://192.168.1.1. If you have never done this before the password is "admin". You should change it immediately, of course. 

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Re: MiFi 2200 Battery life and charging
Jaypse
Newbie

Thanks.  I do use the admin page to manage security etc. and yes that is the only battery indicator, such as it is, that I've seen anywhere.  

 

A couple more questions:

 

-  Does your device charge via USB?  Is there any trick to this?  I use both a Mac and PC with it and I heard that you muct be using the admin software (presumably the VZAccess) to charge via USB.  I don't have VZAccess on the MAC because it wasn't required but regardless, neither seems to put much of a charge into the device, though it does work indefinitely when tethered.

 

-  Also, how's the heat coming off that thing?  I don't think it can stay packed away in a bag while in use. 

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Re: MiFi 2200 Battery life and charging
PDCLarry
Contributor - Level 1

My MiFi charges via USB. However, USB ports are only required to supply 1/2 amp, while the MiFi charger supplies 1 amp. So it may take longer using a computer port. Many newer computers also supply 1 amp, so this is not a hard and fast rule. If you are using a hub that does not have its own power that 1/2 (or 1) amp is divided among the ports, so if you use a hub only use one that has its own power supply.

 

On a Mac the keyboard USB port cannot supply power, so don't use that one (unless it is the newer aluminum keyboard). On a PC desktop if there are ports on the front they are most likely an unpowered hub under the covers, so only use ports on the back. 

 

On a laptop all ports are usually separate.

 

You don't have to use VZaccess to get it to charge.

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Re: MiFi 2200 Battery life and charging
dave1812
Contributor - Level 1

Charging thru the included charger/cable should take up to 2.5 hours.  Charging via USB may take as long as 8 hours.

 

I complained to Verizon today about the lack of a charging indicator and they are escalating the issue to Novatel.  I expect to hear back from Verizon by early next week.  I have had 2 units and neither EVER shows an amber light for charging--just green.  The first unit sporadically flashed red even with a fully charged battery.  I've had the second unit less than 24 hours so it's too soon to know if it will also begin flashing red when it shouldn't.  Apparently Novatel rushed these units to market, not fully tested.

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Re: MiFi 2200 Battery life and charging
dave1812
Contributor - Level 1
UPDATE:  I finally got a call from Novatel and they are researching the problem with the status light.  I should know more tomorrow (the 12th)
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Re: MiFi 2200 Battery life and charging
Jaypse
Newbie
I'll be interested to hear.  I'm an early adopter to be sure but I didn't expect this sort of stuff.  I wonder if it can be firmware fixed?  Also, I hit my 30 days next week so I'm wondering if I should try another unit.  I let it charge via AC last night for at least 2.5 hours and it still only gave me about 2 hours today before flashing red.  :- /
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Re: MiFi 2200 Battery life and charging
dave1812
Contributor - Level 1

2 hours is quite short.  even after 2.5 hours of continuous usage, mine is still in the green.  it's rated at 4 hours of average usage, with 2 hours being heavy usage, IIRC, or what you'd expect with several clients.  I would at least try another unit.  Be aware, that when I had a problem with mine, they sent me ONLY the MiFi unit!  No battery or any other items.  Just a bare MiFi wrapped in bubble wrap and tossed into a large box for Fed Ex delivery.

 

I've got until the 28th, but my patience is wearing thin with the status light issue.  If, by next week it isn't resolved, I'm getting a refund.  Too much hassle trying to keep track of the charging the way it is now.

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Re: MiFi 2200 Battery life and charging
Jaypse
Newbie
Always good to compare notes so I really appreciate your feedback.  I bought mine at a Verizon Store while traveling so I was thinking of going to another store locally.  Did you get yours replaced over the phone? 
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Re: MiFi 2200 Battery life and charging
dave1812
Contributor - Level 1

Yes, I was on vacation in LA, and called the Verizon support number.  They offered to send one to my hotel the next day.  It arrived by 10AM the next day and I picked it up in the evening (I was out all day) and placed it into service.  The new unit SEEMS to have resolved the intermittent flashing red light, but I still don't get an amber light when charging, so I've escalated the issue and am now dealing with Novatel directly.  Verizon will not want to contact Novatel on your behalf unless you make a huge stink.  I ended up emailing Novatel twice, AND left them a detailed message at their corporate headquarters in San Diego.  I suggest you might want to start with a replacement unit first, then see what happens.  But, like I said, I didn't get a new battery, so be sure to let them know you suspect the battery itself may be the culprit.

 

FYI: you will need to activate a new unit, but of course if all you get is a battery, you won't have to go through that routine.  My replacement MiFi hadn't been registered with Verizon before it was shipped, so I had to call tech support in order to activate it--another small hassle.

Message Edited by dave1812 on 06-11-2009 04:23 PM
Message Edited by dave1812 on 06-11-2009 04:24 PM
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