[NTLK] eMate power up issues

[Doctor Clu]

Thank you Frank for the following comments.

The below talking about the power button on the eMate keyboard:

On 4/2/25 10:02 AM, NewtonTalk via NewtonTalk wrote:
>> Why would the power button on the keyboard, or the lid power button, not
>> work when the rest of the keyboard is working AND the power button works for powering down the Newton?
>
> Unless Apple's latest operating version is installed, eMates have a tendency
> to do weird things power-wise. Especially when trying to power them up after
> they have been stored without or with a fully discharged battery. In these
> cases they often won't power up unless the reset button is pressed.

 > I have the latest I believe 732000 edition where it updates the eMate 
to operate beyond 2024 and still use the clock.  I have two eMates with 
this upgrade, one the power button on the keyboard works and the other 
it does not.

It is a valid speculation, but with the above I doubt the upgrade is 
what is causing the issue.

> I haven't been following this discussion closely, but if you are trying to
> use a third party battery holder in the eMate, you might want to reconsider.
> I've never found a manufacturer willing to guarantee in writing that their
> battery holders will withstand the 1,5 Amps that the original power supply
> charges the batteries with. I've tried many holders over the last couple of
> years, and some of them started melting in no time because the contacts were
> very poor and hence getting very hot. In the Newtons this only works because
> they are using very strong springs that press the contacts on the board to
> those of the battery pack.
>
> Frank

Thanks for the warning, I will keep an eye out for that.

The original battery holder I saw where this was done was a all metal 
battery tray.

The tray I used was found on this ebay auction:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/404687023197?var=674685232369

It so far wired up fine, and worked on both eMates I have. Currently in 
the eMate where the power button on the keyboard is working.

Used 1.5 v "Bump" rechargable batteries which held a charge for quite a 
while, but all the while the voltage indicator showed 100% till the very 
end, the indicator showed about 91% and then the batteries collectively 
were too low and the eMate was unable to power up till I recharged the 
batteries.

Have since heard the Bump batteries will drop in power and then return 
with power.   Inconsistent.  Recently heard EBL 1.5V batteries are quite 
consistent, so I will try those next.

While the indicator in Avi's backdrop shows the batteries to be 
"charging" while under a power adaptor, not sure I trust that.  So far 
have been charging the batteries outside of the eMate.

Thanks for the input Frank!

Greg / Doc Clu