Kindle 2 Battery Holds a Charge
Well, it’s been just over two weeks since I received my Kindle 2. I’m happy to say that I’ve been able to read with my new Kindle for those two weeks on just one battery charge. I’m also happy to say that the Kindle gave me plenty of notice before completely running down. I was able to finish up a chapter before plugging up the power adapter for the second time. I was getting sleepy too, so both I and the kindle needed some respite.
To give you an idea of my typical usage, here’s a break-down from the past 2 weeks:
- Average reading time: 1.5 hours per day
- Books Purchased: 2 (delivered wirelessly)
- Books Transferred: 15 (via USB in one session)
- When not in use: Power Off
- Wireless Use: Only when needed: book delivery, light web surfing
- Wireless Status: Off unless required
If your reading habits are similar to mine, one or two hours per day, then you can expect the Kindle 2 to keep you reading without interruption for a good two weeks. Of course, the more you use the wireless connection, the more power you’ll consume, which can shorten the periods between recharges considerably.
Now that I think about it, it would be pretty neat to have a feature on the Kindle that displayed a usage report. Someone send a friendly email to Amazon, please.
Something I’m curious about is the method of charging the Kindle 2. Both times I’ve charged mine up, I used the USB adapter that allows me to plug into the wall outlet. The charge time seems to be pretty brief, maybe three hours or so. I haven’t watched closely enough to say for sure.
If I was to charge my kindle via a USB connection from my computer or laptop, I don’t know if the charge time would be more or less. I’m not an electrician, but I would think that the USB cable itself would be a bit of a bottleneck, which would mean that the charge time is more or less the same regardless of the method. I’ll try to pay much closer attention the next two times I charge up the Kindle. If I remember, I’ll compare the charge times between plugging into the wall and plugging into the computer. It’s scientific!
While I’m on the subject, I think I’m going to pick up an extra power adapter to keep by my bed. I typically read in bed and it would be really nice to let it charge on my nightstand, and have an extra charger to use with my laptop. Last time I looked, you can buy an extra Kindle 2 power adapter for just $15.
For you guys who are rocking the Kindle 1, you can still purchase a replacement power adapter for the Kindle 1 as well as the Kindle 1 USB cable.
More Amazon.com links: Kindle 2 | Kindle DX
Plugging into the wall should charge faster, the USB port can only support .5 Amps of current, if normal charging uses less than .5 Amps then the charge time will be equai.
Am i supposed to leave my kindle on till it dies???
Has anyone had a problem with their Kindle 2 losing battery charge while the Kindle is not in use? A couple of times I have the Kindle put away (I know…how could I!) while I read a paperback and when I go to use the device again I have to recharge it. Wireless is off and the Kindle is shut down, so I don’t understand how it could lose battery. It’s happened twice now.
Does Amazon turn wireless on remotely to do updates and such? Could that be why I am losing battery charge when not in use?
Thanks.
Cheryl –
Any battery, even though it’s not being used, has a varying amount of discharge. I can attest that the battery in the Kindle 2 last incredibly long when not being used (and wireless is left off). However, the battery will still slowly discharge over time.
When you’re resting your Kindle to read a paperback, how long are you talking about? A few days or a few weeks? Also, I’m fairly certain that Amazon has no way of operating your Kindle if the wireless connection is turned off.
Thanks for posting!
Emily –
No, you don’t have to let the battery completely discharge. In fact, newer batteries work best when you don’t let them completely run down. My advise is to wait until you’ve got about a bar or two left, and then plug it up. I keep an extra kindle charger by the bed for uninterrupted reading and browsing.
I have left my Kindle off for a couple of weeks. So maybe it’s just discharging naturally. I won’t worry about it then.
As far as Amazon operating remotely, I wonder about that. During the time I had the Kindle turned off, my software was updated. I’m fairly certain it was during this time, anyway. I suppose they could have snuck the update in when I had it on for downloading.
Thanks for your quick response.
Recharging is an issue. I plug into my computer port, computer is on, go to bed and I still do not have a green light. I am sooo hooked on my Kindle I tried ready a book the regular way and got board with it. My cousin wants a Kindle but she and I would like to share our purchases, how can we do that?
Some USB ports don’t supply enough power to recharge devices. I’ve got a few ports at home that won’t charge up my phone… I’m not exactly sure why (maybe I have too many other things plugged in), but this could be the same issue with your Kindle.
Try plugging it into the wall to make sure it’s not an issue with your kindle’s battery.
How long does it take to recharge my Kindle with the supplied recharging cord?
I’ve never timed it, but from a wall outlet it takes just a few hours. If you charge it from a USB port on your computer, it may take a little longer.