The following cell phone accessory glossary should answer a lot
of your questions concerning our part descriptions and other related
terms in the wireless industry. If you are looking for cell phone
accessories or a cell phone, you should know the following terms.
ANT: Antenna, either retractable,
1", 3", 6" rubber flex, stubby. (BEL) Eliminators replace
the battery in the unit; they look like a battery with a cord
attached. Savers also connect to the vehicle's DC power supply
via the cigarette lighter plug. BATTERIES
The most common types of batteries for wireless phones are listed
below, with their various advantages and disadvantages. Regardless
of the technology, most handheld and portable units will accept
a "standard" or "extended" battery, with the
additional output of the latter adding to the length of time the
battery will power the unit. BAT: Battery, Ni-Cad=nickel
cadmium, Ni-mh=nickel metal hydride, Li-lithium, & Lead Acid NiCd - NICKEL CADMIUM
NiCd batteries are known for the "memory effect" that
they develop if repeatedly charged without being fully discharged.
These batteries also self-discharge if left unused, losing 10%
of their power the first 24 hours, then 1% to 2% a day thereafter.
They perform best if used regularly. Chargers for NiCd batteries
should have circuitry that prevents overcharging, which ruins
the battery. These batteries are environmentally harmful, and
should be disposed of as toxic waste. The recommended charging
process is a constant charge, as when sitting in a base unit or
plugged into the lighter socket in a car. NiMH - NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE
This technology can provide as much as 30% more capacity than
a NiCd battery of the same size. These batteries contain no toxins,
and are consequently more environmentally-friendly than NiCd.
Unlike NiCd, deep discharging contributes to a decline in the
life of the battery, as does constant over-charging. In general,
NiMH technology is sensitive to overcharging than and the recommended
charging process is a constant charge. These Batteries should
also always be rapid charged. The charger should be designed to
monitor the charging process, as well as the heat of the battery.
Li-Ion - LITHIUM ION
Lithium batteries deliver greater performance with lighter weight
than the nickel-based batteries listed above. They develop no
memory effect, and are non-toxic; but they are more expensive.
Charging requires a controlled, constant voltage process, and
the useful life of these batteries can be reduced up to 60% if
overcharged. Use only chargers that are recommended or designed
for Li-Ion batteries. Chargers made only for the nickel-based
batteries should never be used to charge lithium batteries. LEAD ACID
Used commonly with transportable cellular phones, the higher power
output of SLA batteries is reflected in their size and weight.
SLA batteries should be stored fully charged; otherwise, the chemical
components will deteriorate rapidly. Slow charging is recommended.
These batteries have the lowest number of charging cycles of all
four types, and hence have a shorter life. CASES
Cases are available for all popular phones. The cases provide
protection for the phone, and typically also feature carrying
straps. The most common material for cases is cowhide genuine
leather. CSE: Leather case, available
with or without plastic faces, gold or black hardware. CHARGERS
It is important to use the correct charger for your battery. Chargers
are usually referred to as "overnight" or "rapid".
Overnight chargers will charge a battery in eight to ten hours.
They provide a low charge rate, and often lack the safety features
of preventing overcharging due to the fact that batteries can
better withstand low charge current on a continuous basis. Rapid
chargers, as the name implies, recharge batteries more quickly.
The charge isn't continuous; rather, it's reduced as the battery
reaches full charge. There are three types of chargers: Vehicle
cigarette lighter plug-ins, desktop chargers made for indoor use,
and small travel chargers that simply plug in to an electrical
outlet.
Vehicle chargers
BEC: Plug-in charger vehicle
charger. Premium intelligent chip controls current and voltage,
3-stage
LED (rapid, slow, trickle),
tough polycarbonate housing, stainless steel tip, extra long,
high quality cord with heavy-duty strain relief, reverse polarity
protection.
(PRO) Promo line has: dual
stage LED (charging, ready), smart chip monitors current and voltage,
premium strain reliefs, reverse polarity protection.
Desktop chargers
This type has a housing into which the battery is inserted; slots
often offer options of inserting the battery or batteries, or
the complete phone unit itself. Visual status displays are provided
to indicate when the battery is completely charged. Desktop rapid
chargers are also used as a battery "conditioner", because
they have the ability to completely discharge a battery before
the charging process begins.
CHG: Flat bed charger/conditioner,
charges one battery at a time, includes AC and DC adapter for
home or vehicle capabilities.
DPC: Dual port charger/conditioner,
charges phone battery and back-up battery at the same time, includes
AC adapter and lighter adapter for mobile use.
TRV: Small, lightweight
and generally lacking in displays and indicators. The charger
directly links the battery to an AC power source.
CLP: Belt clip, swivel,
vibrating, straight, available for specific models or universal.
(CVR) face plate covers.
Protective housing protects your phone and also gives your phone
many fashionable looks. Face Plates come in many different colors.
HANDS-FREE KITS
With a Hands-Free Kit, you can use your cell phone in your car
without holding the handset. An external speaker and microphone
provide you with, in effect, a speakerphone in your vehicle. Hands-Free
Kits are available as mounted units, generally used with mobile
units, and as portable styles that can be used with transportable,
portable, and hand-held units. Mounted kits are connected to the
vehicle's power supply; portable kits generally use a cigarette
lighter adapter.
HFK: Wireless hands-free
kits that allows for the use of the phone without interfering
with one's driving by not having to lift or hold the handset to
one's ear.
Talk Time: The length of
time you can talk on your portable or transportable cellular phone
without recharging the battery. Normally stated in minutes.
VEH: Vehicle holder designed
to fit any size phone.
VMT: Vehicle mount designed
to fit any size phone.
VWM: Vehicle
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