PopupsAccessories > 900-accessories > Ectaco 900-series Translator Battery

Note: this battery does not have a cradle charger. It charges inside the unit. Don't buy this if you intend to use one battery while the other charges, because that functionality isn't there. It is great as a spare and if you charge both batteries prior to a trip.

You may want a spare battery, if you are going to be outside the USA for an extended period or if we are shipping this to you with those international shipping charges. Otherwise, buying one just to have a spare is probably not the best use of your money.

There is no cradle charger for this battery. It charges inside the device. Therefore, you can't charge one battery while using the other battery.

You could charge one battery in the unit before a trip and insert the other one fully charged. But that really isn't necessary. The battery is sized for a full day of use. It should last you about three years (similar to a laptop or cell phone battery).

Mobile devices and battery drain

Mobile devices are always on. Nobody wants to reboot a smart phone just to make a phone call. Thus, a mobile device constantly drains its battery even if the screen is turned off or it goes into standby mode. After a few days, that drain can be significant. For most reliability, don't go more than a couple of days without charging for an hour or two.

How to have healthy batteries

When using any USB charging source, follow the charging limits of the li-polymer battery device you are using. Note that, typically, the manufacturer does not provide the correct information. So, we'll do that here for you.

Most mobile devices do not have robust charging circuitry, to save weight and space. Thus, the only way to prevent overcharging (and thus destroying) the battery is to avoid overcharging. Typically, this means to stop charging after 8 to 12 hours maximum.

The actual permissible time under charge is a function of the battery capacity in mAH and the charging rate of the adapter/charger. But it's not simple division to know that time. The output number on a charger is its initial rate. That rate slows dramatically as the battery charges--think of back pressure when you are trying to blow up a ballon and how it gets harder as the balloon fills with air. Same thing in a battery.

Li-poly batteries accept partial charges and do not develop memory. Charge them frequently for a couple of hours and they'll last a very long time.

Translator Tips

These tips apply to pocket translators, in general. Some may not apply to your particular pocket translator. Some apply to any mobile device, even if it's not a pocket translator.

Accessories

• Keep your accessories in a zippered pouch. You can find a suitable one at any office supply store.
• If you have SD cards or MMCs, keep them in a special case made for these cards. Put it inside your zippered pouch.
• Generally, new accessories do not come out after the device has been on the market. But sometimes, they do. We carry the current offerings of accessories, so check this site to see what's available.

Batteries/charging

• If your translator has an li-poly rechargeable battery, don't charge it for more than 6 to 12 hours.
• If your batteries are alkaline, consider replacing them with rechargeable ones (pick up a charger and batteries at your local office store).

Translating

• If your translator has multiple translation tools, use the simplest one for the task. For example, if you need to get a central idea across and it's really one word then use the translation dictionary.
• If your translator has the full text translation feature, stick with simple noun-verb or verb-noun constructions. Reason: The device can't interpret idiomatic expressions. If you need to make an idiomatic expression, use the phrasebook (pretranslated sentences).

Non-translation programs

• If your translator has a language teacher program, use this prior to taking a trip. It isn't necessary to complete the whole program, but if you learn some basics before taking your trip you can communicate much more effectively.
• Most of the non-translation programs won't be useful to a particular person. What usually happens is different people like different things and so you're likely to find one or two of these programs exceptionally useful. Play around with the device a bit to see which of these best suit you.

Device problems

• As with most gadgets today, if it malfunctions reboot it. The button that turns the screen on and off does not turn the device on and off. The device has a reset button. This doesn't completely clear the memory, though. If a reset doesn't fix your problem, remove the battery(ies) and after waiting about 15 minutes put the battery(ies) back in and restart the device.
• If the device has an SD card or MMC, pop it out, pop it back in, and reset the device.

Speaking with foreign language speakers.

• Speak slowly and annunciate clearly. Americans tend to speak fast and run their words together, frustrating people whose first language isn't English. Leave a distinct pause between each word. Even if this seems idiotic to you, the other person will appreciate it.
• Try to use correct grammar. Sadly, most Americans cannot pass a test of Standard Written English. Yet, this is the language that non-English speakers are taught. Mangled syntax and misplaced modifiers are especially confusing. When you use a word such as "only" use it immediately preceding the word it applies to. You don't have to be an English major to be understood, but you will be understood better if you brush up on your basic grammar.
• Thank the other person. If the other person has learned enough English that you can communicate in English, say that you appreciate this. And do allow for the fact the other person's English vocabulary is nowhere near as large as yours.

Safe traveling

• While it might be exciting to go off the beaten tourist path, doing so increases your potential for trouble. If you have arranged for a guide ahead of time, this might not be a problem. But don't "hook up" with a friendly stranger who wants to help you see the sights.
• Stay alert. If you like to go to bars or pubs, limit your consumption to just enough to be social. You can get snickered back at home much more safely than you can in a foreign country.