Power Supply back to topics
Can the chumby run on a battery?
Because it's always on, the chumby must be plugged in to an AC outlet. Unlike phones or other portable devices, the chumby does not spend any time in "sleep" mode, so a battery would not be able to power the 3.5" color touchscreen for very long. The chumby takes less than 30 seconds to power up so you can still move it from room to room with little downtime.
How much energy does the chumby use?
On average the chumby will draw 3.2 watts (a little more if it's doing something power-intensive like playing a video). In comparison, a microwave oven on standby (where just the clock is illuminated) draws 3.0 watts.
Data source: http://standby.lbl.gov/Data/SummaryChart.html
Why doesn't the chumby have a rechargable battery so it can be portable?
Unlike portable items like cell phones, which spend a lot of time in stand-by mode, the chumby is meant to be on 24/7. Powering the 3.5" color touchscreen and wi-fi adapter just for several hours would require a beefy battery — something that could radically increase the cost of a chumby. This doesn't mean the chumby will never have a rechargable battery; it just means it's not feasible at this point in time. However, we're monitoring advances in rechargable battery technology and keeping that option open.
I located a plug for a 9 volt battery in my chumby — can I use it?
No. The chumby has not been thoroughly tested with a 9 volt battery. Unpredictable behavior or damage may results if you connect a battery. The 9 volt battery connector has been built into the chumby for possible future use; however, it is not currently supported and using it may void the warranty.
Which power cord works on my chumby?
A list of chumby power cords and the chumby models they work on are listed on the Power Cords page.
Can I replace the power cord with one from any electronics store?
Yes. Input: AC 100-240V, 50-60Hz, 0.5A. Output: DC 12V, 1.0A. DC barrel jack: 2.1mm inner diameter x 5.5mm outer diameter x 9.5mm female (P-5) plug, positive center.
Does my iPod recharge when it's plugged in?
Yes, it will charge if it's plugged into the chumby through the USB port.
The chumby will not charge iPods that are 3rd generation and older — these iPods require a firewire connection to charge.
Check out Apple's web site to determine which iPod you have.
