Dead Play & Charge Battery after 6 Months? [Mobile/Archive]

Gentlegamer

11-03-2009, 11:16 AM

I joined the current gen with an Xbox 360 Elite earlier this year, and purchased a black play & charge kit with it. After about 6 months, it appears the rechargeable battery doesn't hold a charge anymore! 6 months!

Is this normal for the Microsoft rechargeable batteries?

bigdaddybruce44

11-03-2009, 12:18 PM

Mine lasted longer than that, but I do see a lot of people posting about battery packs that died after only a few months. In the long run, we're all better off investing in some quality rechargeable batteries.

mtxbass1

11-03-2009, 12:34 PM

Some people have luck with them. My launch ones are still going strong. It's really hit or miss.

SpazX

11-03-2009, 12:34 PM

Mine have all lasted longer than that. I mainly switch between 2 of mine, one of which is probably about 2 years old, and one that's about a year old.

VipFREAK

11-03-2009, 12:36 PM

I believe that. It's even worse if it's 3rd party. This IS M$ we're talking about you know. They don't do quality.

nightmare452

11-03-2009, 12:37 PM

My original day one Xbox/battery pack still works well. One I bought about 6 months ago stated giving me trouble so its kinda hit or miss, but usually they last a lot longer and its rare they short out so fast.

Gentlegamer

11-03-2009, 01:11 PM

So what do you guys think? Should I get regular AA rechargeable batteries instead of replacing this piece of junk?

strikeratt

11-03-2009, 01:20 PM

I believe a few of mine are dead, one probably died really quick if I remember another took a year, and the last one that's having problems charges sometimes but not others

VipFREAK

11-03-2009, 01:22 PM

If you play a lot the AA batts might not last all that long but at least you know what you're getting for the price. I'd look at the mAh rating too that might help out you're life span too.

I just said screw it all and used a wired controller. Problem Solved.

SpazX

11-03-2009, 01:34 PM

I can't seem to find the mAh rating for the MS battery packs, but you can easily get 2 rechargeable AAs with 4800 to 5200 mAh total. Unless they've upgraded the batteries over time, that probably comes close to what they are. Those should last a good while if you want to go that route. I would suggest that really, since buying some rechargeable AAs and a charger would also work for a lot more applications and over time would be cheaper than buying AAs over and over.

EDIT: I just looked at a controller and it's rated at 450mA (which should be the maximum), so 2 2400mAh AAs should last at least 10 hours, and 2 2600mAh AAs would give you at least ~12. Since MS says their rechargeables can last "up to" 25 hours they probably hold more power than that, but I dunno what numbers they're using for that estimate.

Ronin317

11-03-2009, 01:41 PM

Eneloops or Rayovac hybrid rechargeables FTW!

By the way, I've had my MS rechargeable packs for 2 years at this point, and they're still about 85% as effective as they were brand new. I use the charging station, not the USB cable from the system (effectively a trickle charge). So perhaps that is one route to go.

For those having battery issues - are you using the charging station or the USB cable?

VipFREAK

11-03-2009, 01:49 PM

I wouldn't recommend the USB charge cables because they are M$ quality ($hitty). The one we used the most while I was at my friends house has a short because the connection at the controller is already warn out. You have to get it EXACTLY in the right place because it won't charge otherwise. The indicator light will let you know when you're close to it charging or whether it's ready to break instead. Granted this is third party but the M$ one can't be that much different or better.

At this point we might as well have a wired one since the minute you put it out (that's what she said) it will die.

Gentlegamer

11-03-2009, 01:57 PM

My battery back came from the play and charge kit, so it charges with the USB cable.

Multicron

11-03-2009, 02:08 PM

As a couple people have mentioned, Sanyo Eneloop rechargeables (http://www.amazon.com/SANYO-eneloop-Pre-Charged-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B000IV2WAW) are definitely the way to go. Unlike most rechargeables, they retain their charge (when unused) for seemingly months at a time, and have excellent battery life. I use them for my Wiimotes, and I'm getting some more to use for my 360 controllers. I have 2 black play and charge kits, and they usually last about 5 minutes after they're "charged".

As far as chargers go: I recommend La Crosse - http://www.amazon.com/Crosse-Technology-BC-9009-AlphaPower-Battery/dp/B00077AA5Q/

Gentlegamer

11-03-2009, 02:31 PM

I'll probably get the batteries and charger suggested by Multicron. Since I have the play and charge kit and I can at least plug the sucker in while I play and use it as a corded controller in the meantime.

SpazX

11-03-2009, 02:36 PM

I have that charger as well, it's excellent.

flameofdoom666

11-03-2009, 02:42 PM

I have been through two pairs of batterys from the play & charge kit. It is awful. I even called Microsoft to get a replacement and they said I broke it. Wtf?

Gourd

11-03-2009, 02:57 PM

Eneloops! Just buy them. Stop buying battery packs dedicated to just one device.

*walks off, quietly sobbing* ... Why won't they listen...

QiG

11-03-2009, 08:05 PM

Good information in this thread since I was thinking of going with a play and charge kit soon. I bought the energizer 15 minute charger (and corresponding batteries) when I got my Wii at the end of 2006 and they don't really hold a charge anymore. I always figured that they'd burn out through charging cycles and not so much just over time.

mitch079

11-03-2009, 10:53 PM

buy a duel charge kit instead. i've had 2 batteries stop charging with the play & charge kit but they charge fine in the duel charger.

flameofdoom666

11-04-2009, 03:07 PM

buy a duel charge kit instead. i've had 2 batteries stop charging with the play & charge kit but they charge fine in the duel charger.

So you think it is the wire/mechanism of it charging through the controller? Interesting. I may have to look into that.

62t

12-12-2009, 09:56 PM

Looks like my play and charge is dead. Got it back on Oct 2007

mick16

12-12-2009, 10:56 PM

Another vote for eneloops. I bought mine in a kit at Costco for the charger, 8 AA's and 2 AA's, and some C & D adapters for a little less than $30. The MS batteries died on me after a year and I've never looked back since going with the eneloops.

Shadows916

12-12-2009, 11:03 PM

mine worked for about a month and then gave up the ghost- amongst the worst 15 bucks i've spent on soemthing

limelight022

12-13-2009, 11:40 PM

4 pack Energizer rechargeable AA's=8 hour of playtime, no cords, always a fully charged set ready to go.

crzyjoeguy

12-15-2009, 12:11 AM

porieux

12-15-2009, 12:34 AM

Mine are like three years old and still work OK, but I use the dual charger. I also alternate with using Eneloops, which are great.

crzyjoeguy

12-15-2009, 02:28 PM

BoneMonkey80

12-15-2009, 04:21 PM

when ever I plug in my plug and charge kit it takes a slap to the back of the controller to get the red light even on

Gourd

12-17-2009, 04:53 AM

I bought those eneloops and just got em today. They fit in the controller, barely, and are very difficult to get out (I need to use the back end of a hole punch to grip the battery)

Anyone know where I can get a battery cover that will fit them a little better? Or am I stuck with it this way.

Weird. I have four wireless controllers, and 36 Eneloops. I have never had a problem with them fitting in the controllers, in my thermostat, in flashlights, or in /anything./ They are precisely the same size as standard alkaline batteries.

Gentlegamer

12-17-2009, 10:23 AM

So my charge and play battery started working for a brief time, long enough for me to finish Mass Effect. Now, it's back to not holding a charge. This leads me to believe it is the cable, not the battery: the cable isn't charging the battery consistently but it can hold a charge.