Topic: Wireless Controller - Rechargable Batteries ? (Read 59 times)

BassKozz · « **on:** July 07, 2006, 10:12:00 AM »

What type of battery are the rechargable batteries for the wireless controller?

The main reason I'd like to know is, I want to find out how to best extend the life of the battery pack(s). If they are Li-Ion (Litium-ion - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-ion_battery), then it is better to charge them often (or keep them in the quick charger). But if they are another type it might be better to use them until they are fully discharged and then re-charge them.

Anyone know what type of batteries these are?

Thanks,
-BassKozz

This post has been edited by BassKozz: Jul 7 2006, 05:13 PM

xboxexpert · « **Reply #1 on:** July 07, 2006, 10:25:00 AM »

This might sound completely retarded but I find that if I hook up the play'n'charge kit to my USB's of my PC the controllers charge super fast. Yet if I connected the play'n'charges to the Xbox while playing with the controller while its charging it takes forever. Moral of the story is charge the controllers while the controllers are off.

BassKozz · « **Reply #2 on:** July 07, 2006, 10:34:00 AM »

QUOTE(xboxexpert @ Jul 7 2006, 11:56 AM)

This might sound completely retarded but I find that if I hook up the play'n'charge kit to my USB's of my PC the controllers charge super fast. Yet if I connected the play'n'charges to the Xbox while playing with the controller while its charging it takes forever. Moral of the story is charge the controllers while the controllers are off.

Thanks for chiming in xboxexpert...
But that wasn't the question.

I have the Quick Charger (that comes with an extra battery pack and slots for 2 battery packs.

But I need to find out what type of battery these packs are... like I said in the original post if they are Li-Ion I (you) should charge these packs often (or leave them on the charger when not used). If they are NOT Li-Ion then you should let them fully discharge (run out of charge) and then re-charge them.

I am trying to get the most life out of my wireless controllers battery packs, they deteriorate over time if not taken care of properly.

Thanks,
-BassKozz

KaRiL · « **Reply #3 on:** July 07, 2006, 03:47:00 PM »

I was curious about this too

from wired Magazine"

"The standard controller is wireless, running on two AA batteries out of the box. An optional $20 accessory kit includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack and a USB cable that lets the controller charge while you play."

Linky

BassKozz · « **Reply #4 on:** July 08, 2006, 01:02:00 PM »

QUOTE(KaRiL @ Jul 7 2006, 05:18 PM)

I was curious about this too

from wired Magazine"

"The standard controller is wireless, running on two AA batteries out of the box. An optional $20 accessory kit includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack and a USB cable that lets the controller charge while you play."

Linky

I think this is wrong, thanks to this thread i read thru the manual that came with my quick charger and it said:

QUOTE

The Quick Charge Kit contains a charger, a power cord, and a NiMH rechargeable battery pack.

So according to the manual the battery pack's are NiMH. But this only pertains to the battery that came with the Quick Charge Kit, could the batteries that come with the plug-n-play be different? (I doubt it)

So this would mean that these batteries should be fully discharged (use them untill the controller won't work) before they are re-attached to the quick charge base unit. For maximum life...

Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia's NiMH (Nickel metal hydride) page:

QUOTE

Brand new batteries, or batteries which have been unused for some time, need "reforming" to reach their full capacity. For this reason new batteries may need several charge/discharge cycles before they operate to their advertised capacity.

Battery Care Tips:

QUOTE

NiMH batteries provide the same voltage as NiCd batteries. However, they have at least 30% more talk time than NiCd batteries and take approximately 20% longer to charge. First several times that you charge your new Nickel Metal Hydride battery, trickle charge (slow charge) it, this will condition the battery. Unlike Nickel Cadmium, the Nickel Metal Hydride battery can withstand random charging. The Nickel Metal battery seems to have a shorter life cycle than the Nickel Cadmium (most common type) battery. These batteries are sometimes twice as expensive as their Nickel Cadmium counterparts. Avoid overheating, heat is a Nickel Metal Hydride battery's worst enemy.

I wounder if the quick charge kit knows to "trickle charge" them or not?

KaRiL · « **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2006, 01:20:00 PM »

good to know
sorry for the false info (IMG:style_emoticons/default/uhh.gif)

BassKozz · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2006, 06:18:00 PM »

It's not your fault KaRiL,
It's wired's fault for putting the wrong information out there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Now to find out how the quick charger works (does it have "trickle charge" ability) ?

G0t M4xx 21 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 09, 2006, 01:03:00 AM »

Heh if I ever need a REALLY quick charge i just hook it up to my Uber Battery Charger for my RC cars:

(IMG:http://www.overrc.com/courses/courses2005/swisshpicup06022005/swisshpicup06022005ice.jpg)

CerealKiller741 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 09, 2006, 11:14:00 AM »

I would have thought they would be lithium ions...I prefer them to Nickel based batteries because they aren't as finicky with charging and what not.

Author Topic: Wireless Controller - Rechargable Batteries ? (Read 59 times)