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[hignaki]

***For those who don't read through all of the previous posts and are new to this thread, this is a C&P from my previous post on page 3 ***

Okay, I've done some "tests" with the controller. Damn, it's finally done; it took about a month to do.

The test was done twice, with one 4-hour play session per day with the controller not being used in-between. On the weekends, the controllers got much more playtime, but it varied a little (4-12 hours). Even with variations, all times were recorded so I could take the measurements. I played mainly Geometry Wars, Marble Blast Ultra, and let my mother play Bejeweled and Hexic, so there was little to no rumble used. The hour mark was an average between the two tests for each controller.

For normal play on the "non-defective" (no green light when off) controller with AA batteries, I got about 35 hours of play.

With rechargeable batteries on the same controller (doesn't have the light problem), I get about 28 hours.

With rechargeable batteries on the controller WITH the light problem, I get 15 hours of playtime.

**For the record, I own four wireless controllers. Two that I bought recently that are "fine" (no light problem), and two that have the problem. One of the controllers WITH the problem has quadrant 1 stay dimly lit, and the other has quadrant 2 stay dimly lit AND has quadrant 4 stay somewhat lit (brighter than Q2). I used the controller that only has Q1 stay lit, so the other one may be even worse. I may do another test on the second problem controller if people want me to*****

[tbone6]

I always thought the lights indicated how much power was left in the rechargable batteries.  Because when mine have just been charged the lights are bright in the dark when the controller is off, but when there is very little battery life left the glow is barely noticeable.

[hignaki]

QUOTE(tbone6 @ May 18 2006, 11:45 PM)

I always thought the lights indicated how much power was left in the rechargable batteries.  Because when mine have just been charged the lights are bright in the dark when the controller is off, but when there is very little battery life left the glow is barely noticeable.

The glow is only a little noticeable because the battery is low; that is [for the most part] correct.  They actually drain the battery faster than it would normally.  But as reps from MS have said: "It is not supposed to do that at all; it's a known problem."

[mike_mgoblue]

This has happened to me, too. The problem I experienced relates to the MS Wireless Controller I purchased, not the one that was included with my Premium system. The controller that was included with my Premium system works fine with AA batteries and the Rechargeable Battery Pack. The controller I purchased seperately works fine with AA batteries, but I have a similar problem to what you are experiencing when I use the Rechareable Battery Pack. Most of the time, when I Turn the System Off with this wiress controller, the #1 area will be dim green. However, there have been several times when both #1 and #2 would be dim green, which mean the entire upper half was dimly lit. MS told me the exact same thing; they said that this would not perfect game performance in any way. MS said that if I had a problem with this, then I could take the controller back to the store if it was still under warranty.

Here is one thing that MS did let me know: If you push the Start button while the light is dimly lit green, then the light will go out the way it is supposed to. I pushed the Start button, but the light only stayed out for about 5 minutes. However, I let the light stay on for a few hours, and then I pushed start, and it didn't come back on. I currently theorize that if you turn the system off, and then wait 5 seconds to push Start, then in 5 seconds, the green light will come back on. If you wait 10 seconds to push Start, then the light will go out, but only for 10 seconds. And if you wait 3 hours, then it will take the light at least 3 hours to come back on. However, I also theorize that there may be a certain time lengh border, such as maybe 30 minutes, where if you press the Start button, then the light will stay out for good. I haven't done all of the detailed testing that you have...but here are some theories for you to work with. Anyways, the Start button is a factor you might want to consider.

[hignaki]

I press the start button, and no matter what, the light comes back on in 10 minutes.  Whether its been off for hours or days.

[leftkidney]

having the same problem what I think it is is that since they are wireless and we all know wireless can cause interfierance   I think it is picking up some other wireless signal close to the frequency so it lights up

also even with all the lights on it would never drain the batery as fast as pressing buttins   the leds dont use much juice

[hignaki]

QUOTE(leftkidney @ Jun 6 2006, 12:18 PM)

having the same problem what I think it is is that since they are wireless and we all know wireless can cause interfierance   I think it is picking up some other wireless signal close to the frequency so it lights up

also even with all the lights on it would never drain the batery as fast as pressing buttins   the leds dont use much juice

No, it's not from some other frequency.  If it was, the lights would change or turn off as I moved into another room, etc.  But, they don't.  The big thing is that MS has stated that is IS a problem, and simply cannot be fixed.  The battery drain is quite noticeable, too.  A wireless controller I've had sitting for three weeks with the light barely on has now gone dead, and it had a full charge three weeks ago.  

I've just gotten into the habit of popping the battery pack, but if it really bothers you, I think the only solution is to trade it in and get a new one.

[acex008]

if this only happens with the P&C kit, who gives a rats A$$!?!  Just friggin' charge your damn batteries!

 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/muhaha.gif)  (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grr.gif)  (IMG:style_emoticons/default/muhaha.gif)  (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grr.gif)  (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

This post has been edited by acex008: Aug 29 2006, 09:53 PM

[hignaki]

QUOTE(acex008 @ Aug 29 2006, 09:24 PM)

if this only happens with the P&C kit, who gives a rats A$$!?!  Just friggin' charge your damn batteries!

         

It happens with the Play and Charge kit, and with the Quick Charger.  Basically, it happens with the rechargeable batteries, period.  How the hell are we going to charge our batteries without using those?!  

Addendum: when did you fall on the tree?!

[THEsirloin]

I too have got this problem! my original wireless controller (premium silver shiny one) has a glowing guide button with the battery pack inserted whilst having another wireless controller (free of MS hehe they are so thick) that dosent have this problem.
 
I believe that this is due to certain components in the controllers being made with different tollerents (when you buy a component the rating of that component is never a 100% accurate and if you buy from different manufacturers these values can change quite drastically for example a 10uf capcitor can range from 9uf to 11uf or even more) and with the controller being designed for optimum battery life there might be a fine line for these values to fall in.

I am some how interested in knowing if everyone can look in battery compartments of there controllers at the circuit board at the bottom near the battery terminals to see if the circuit boards on the glowing controllers are darker or lighter than the circuit boards on the good controllers? I believe the controllers with the darker circuit boards are the ones that tend to glow???

ALso you can charge your controller with the xbox360 turned off (well in what MS call standby mode) but i personally can't stand hearing fans unless i have to so i plug mine into my powered usb hub and it works fine charging it up.

[twistedsymphony]

QUOTE(acex008 @ Aug 29 2006, 04:24 PM)

if this only happens with the P&C kit, who gives a rats A$$!?!  Just friggin' charge your damn batteries!

         

Actually it happens with normal batteries too. the Saturn adatper i built uses a wirless controller and whenever I plug the batteries in before it powers up the LEDs all start to glow dimly. it might not be apparent when the controller shell is on but it's clear as day when you're looking at the LEDs on the PCB.

I've got 6 Wireless controllers and all 6 of them do this... and NONE of them used the Play and Charge kit  

[RhiN0911]

can anybody tell me why it is that after i hold the guide button and select turn off controller, the controller doesnt shut off and remains on, functional and everything... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/uhh.gif)

This post has been edited by RhiN0911: Sep 12 2006, 07:41 PM

[twistedsymphony]

QUOTE(RhiN0911 @ Sep 12 2006, 02:11 PM)

can anybody tell me why it is that after i hold the guide button and select turn off controller, the controller doesnt shut off and remains on, functional and everything...

...because your controller is broken  

[hignaki]

QUOTE(RhiN0911 @ Sep 12 2006, 10:11 AM)

can anybody tell me why it is that after i hold the guide button and select turn off controller, the controller doesnt shut off and remains on, functional and everything...

I'd have to agree with twistedsymphony on this.

[jphni12]

Me and a friend also have this.  I think it is a way of showing how full the battery is without having to turn the console on. when my batt is full all four lights are dim but as the battery drains the lights go off in the correct order 4,3,2,1.  I havent noticed any effect on the length of time the battery lasts, still lasts same length it says in manual.