Why Does My TI-30Xa Solar Calculator Keep Failing?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the reliability issues of the TI-30Xa solar calculator, with participants sharing their experiences and troubleshooting steps. The scope includes user experiences, potential causes for malfunction, and suggestions for maintenance or alternatives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their frustration with the calculator failing to work intermittently, questioning whether it is a defect or an inherent issue with solar calculators.
  • Another suggests removing the batteries when not in use to prevent potential damage.
  • A participant reports finding white powder on a battery, indicating possible leakage, and wonders if this is the cause of the malfunction.
  • Concerns are raised about batteries going bad if left unused for extended periods, potentially damaging the calculator.
  • One participant expresses sympathy for the original poster's situation, implying that replacing the batteries might resolve the issue.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the reliability of solar calculators and the impact of battery maintenance, with no consensus on whether the TI-30Xa is inherently flawed or if the issues are due to user handling and battery care.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the potential for battery leakage and its effects, but do not provide specific solutions or confirm the effectiveness of suggested actions. The discussion remains focused on personal experiences and observations without definitive conclusions.

Who May Find This Useful

Users of solar calculators, particularly those experiencing similar reliability issues, and individuals interested in battery maintenance and troubleshooting electronic devices.

leroyjenkens
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I have this TI-30Xa calculator that is one of the most unreliable things I own.

When I first got it, I took it out of the package and turned it on and messed with it and then put it down. I show up to school to use it on a test and it's not working.

When I get home I had figured out that maybe the battery needed to be charged, since it's a solar calculator. So I leave it on my desk for a while and later in the day, it works. It's worked ever since. I've used it off and on, but I've made sure to keep it in the light so that the battery stays charged.
Well today I tried to turn it on to do some homework and it's not working again. I haven't used it much at all, so there's no way the battery is drained from usage. What's going on with this thing? Is Texas Instruments just a bad brand, do I have a defective calculator, or do solar powered calculators just suck in general? Should I just buy a battery powered one? And what brand?


Oh and the chair that I'm sitting in sucks too. I have nunchucks wrapped around the bottom of this chair to prevent it from sinking because there's a leak in the air chamber. God, nothing in my life works.
 
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Maybe remove the batteries when you do not use the calculator for a while. Or buy better batteries :-p
 


I just opened my calculator and took out one of the batteries and the battery had white powder on it, and some was in the hole where I took it out of. I blew on it and it all came out of the calculator itself, and I rubbed off the white powder from the battery itself, but the calculator still won't work. So I just have a bad battery? The other one was fine, but I'll just replace both of them.
 


If you do not use the batteries for a long time, they may go bad and damage your device. Watch out with those evil chemicals !
 


The battery is leaking powder,maybe a new pair work well.Smypathy you.
 

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