Saving Battery Power - Treo Forum

cartogary · 03-04-2008, 08:12 AM

On Sunday, my 680 went from 94% power to Low Battery warning by just sitting on my desktop doing nothing, no email, no calls, Phone & Bluetooth on. I'd done the battery reset/conditioning the night before so I was surprised at this behavior, tstl

So I got out the OEM Palm wall charger pulled it in and started cruising forums regarding rapid discharging on the 680. I'd seen threads regarding this phenom but always assumed it was an app or carrier issue, and had commented accordingly.

I found a thread that mentioned that by disabling the Automatically Set Time and setting time Manually, significantly saved battery life. Having done untolled numbers of soft resets and battery resets over the life of my 680, I'd always Ok'd the Automatic Time setting after the reset.

Ok, so I've set Time manually and used the 680 normally starting with my usual 94% "full" charge followed by email at 30 intervals, RSS, 30 calls, Bluetooth on (24/7), etc. and by 11pm when the phone goes off for the night I still had 58%. This morning I wake to 54%. Not bad. I usually charge with a USB sync/charge cable overnight, but wanted see what the overnight drawn down was.

Bottom line, I'd like others to test out this Manual Time/Date Prefs and verify the power saving I'm experiencing. Maybe it's just a one time glitch but I'll take any improvement to the OEM 680 battery life I can get.

tegdc4 · 03-04-2008, 10:54 AM

I have had my 680 for about a week now. Before purchasing a Treo I browsed this website for about a week bookmarking all of the important fixes for the 680. When I received my 680 I immediately did the battery conditioning, right out of the box. The phone was charged to 96% "fully charged". I then went through the set up process disabling the automatic time update, and other things that I wouldn't be using. At the end of the day I charged for about an Hour to get it fully charged, it had only been unplugged for about 2 hours and then after it was fully charged i unplugged it (wall charger) and went to sleep with 94%. When I woke up it was at 93% so i was happy to see it was doing good.

I have since used my palm very heavily and have yet to go below 45%. On most days I will end with about 75% or so.

I would definitely recommend turning off the auto update if you are having battery trouble. Before purchasing the 680 I was scared of what the battery would be like but i haven't been disappointed yet. The battery lasts alot longer that my previous phone and I am completely happy with my 680.

Hope this helps.

-Phil

cjhappenings · 03-17-2008, 12:07 AM

Hi,

I just got an unlocked 680 a few weeks ago and immediately noted the battery went down without being used. So, shall try the turning off the auto clock feature and report back. I also found an update that had a fix on the camera that was supposed to help the battery. Had to go to the europe palm support to get one that worked well for unlocked version whereas the US update caused a constant message that I had updated with the wrong installer. it was tricky to figure out how to delete, finally got it to work. If anyone cares, shall desribe how to do it, the instructions were obtuse to me. But then, I am in the puppy training stage of this new toy!

Best wishes, cj

Treo Musketeers · 03-17-2008, 05:24 AM

I would point out that the 680 has a unique rapid battery loss problem, called the Glenn Phenomenon. Although, it may not be what any of you are experiencing, Dan the author of Power Hero has been trying to find 680 users who are having this problem so he can work on some resolutions with Power Hero. Regardless, of whether it is Glen P. related, I would recommend posting at the Hobbyist Software forum site on MTDN.

cjhappenings · 03-17-2008, 07:57 PM

Hello again!

I am pleased to report that my batter lasted all night and all day and is still half there! So, the update for camera and general unlocked GSM update was helpful. It was rather complex because I got the wrong installer first so figuring out how to delete was tricky. But now I know how so if anyone wants to know, give me a buzz. Best wishes, cj

comiken205 · 03-17-2008, 08:19 PM

Thank you for updating us. Some people will now go to you for help. lol

Psycmeistr · 03-18-2008, 12:25 PM

I have experienced sudden battery loss of 20 or more percent in a matter of moments. In fact, I've gotten a "low battery" warning when the guage stated that I have 70% left. After I reset the unit, the battery power was normal, without further charging...

I should say that I have an after-market extended battery (the kind you need a new backdoor for)

03-04-2008, 08:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
cartogary Senior Treonaut Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: California My Treo: Treo 680 My Carrier: Cingular/AT&T My OS: XP Posts: 396 Thanks: 13 Thanked 153 Times in 107 Posts	Saving Battery Power On Sunday, my 680 went from 94% power to Low Battery warning by just sitting on my desktop doing nothing, no email, no calls, Phone & Bluetooth on. I'd done the battery reset/conditioning the night before so I was surprised at this behavior, tstl So I got out the OEM Palm wall charger pulled it in and started cruising forums regarding rapid discharging on the 680. I'd seen threads regarding this phenom but always assumed it was an app or carrier issue, and had commented accordingly. I found a thread that mentioned that by disabling the Automatically Set Time and setting time Manually, significantly saved battery life. Having done untolled numbers of soft resets and battery resets over the life of my 680, I'd always Ok'd the Automatic Time setting after the reset. Ok, so I've set Time manually and used the 680 normally starting with my usual 94% "full" charge followed by email at 30 intervals, RSS, 30 calls, Bluetooth on (24/7), etc. and by 11pm when the phone goes off for the night I still had 58%. This morning I wake to 54%. Not bad. I usually charge with a USB sync/charge cable overnight, but wanted see what the overnight drawn down was. Bottom line, I'd like others to test out this Manual Time/Date Prefs and verify the power saving I'm experiencing. Maybe it's just a one time glitch but I'll take any improvement to the OEM 680 battery life I can get. __________________ ___________________________ 180 > 270 > 600 > 650 > 680

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Palm Treo 680 battery instructions	Wanderer	Treo 680	107	09-10-2008 11:19 PM
New Battery	bgattis	Treo 680	6	07-16-2007 10:35 AM
Treo Power Guide \| Charger, Cradle and Battery	andrew	Blog Posts	0	06-04-2007 11:11 AM
Battery drain question	Island Girl	Treo 680	3	02-26-2007 06:33 AM
Treo Battery Power: The Next Generation	andrew	Blog Posts	0	09-21-2006 02:43 PM

	Bestselling Treo Cases	[ Browse All Treo cases \| All Case Reviews ]

03-04-2008, 10:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
tegdc4 A Few Questions.... Join Date: Mar 2008 My Treo: Treo 680 My Carrier: Cingular/AT&T My OS: Vista Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have had my 680 for about a week now. Before purchasing a Treo I browsed this website for about a week bookmarking all of the important fixes for the 680. When I received my 680 I immediately did the battery conditioning, right out of the box. The phone was charged to 96% "fully charged". I then went through the set up process disabling the automatic time update, and other things that I wouldn't be using. At the end of the day I charged for about an Hour to get it fully charged, it had only been unplugged for about 2 hours and then after it was fully charged i unplugged it (wall charger) and went to sleep with 94%. When I woke up it was at 93% so i was happy to see it was doing good. I have since used my palm very heavily and have yet to go below 45%. On most days I will end with about 75% or so. I would definitely recommend turning off the auto update if you are having battery trouble. Before purchasing the 680 I was scared of what the battery would be like but i haven't been disappointed yet. The battery lasts alot longer that my previous phone and I am completely happy with my 680. Hope this helps. -Phil

03-17-2008, 12:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
cjhappenings A Few Questions.... Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pullman, WA My Treo: Treo 680 My Carrier: T-Mobile My OS: OSX Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hi, I just got an unlocked 680 a few weeks ago and immediately noted the battery went down without being used. So, shall try the turning off the auto clock feature and report back. I also found an update that had a fix on the camera that was supposed to help the battery. Had to go to the europe palm support to get one that worked well for unlocked version whereas the US update caused a constant message that I had updated with the wrong installer. it was tricky to figure out how to delete, finally got it to work. If anyone cares, shall desribe how to do it, the instructions were obtuse to me. But then, I am in the puppy training stage of this new toy! Best wishes, cj

03-17-2008, 05:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
Treo Musketeers Moderator At Your Service Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cincinnati, OH My Treo: Treo 755p My Carrier: Sprint My OS: Vista Posts: 1,579 Thanks: 302 Thanked 605 Times in 404 Posts	I would point out that the 680 has a unique rapid battery loss problem, called the Glenn Phenomenon. Although, it may not be what any of you are experiencing, Dan the author of Power Hero has been trying to find 680 users who are having this problem so he can work on some resolutions with Power Hero. Regardless, of whether it is Glen P. related, I would recommend posting at the Hobbyist Software forum site on MTDN.

03-17-2008, 07:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
cjhappenings A Few Questions.... Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pullman, WA My Treo: Treo 680 My Carrier: T-Mobile My OS: OSX Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hello again! I am pleased to report that my batter lasted all night and all day and is still half there! So, the update for camera and general unlocked GSM update was helpful. It was rather complex because I got the wrong installer first so figuring out how to delete was tricky. But now I know how so if anyone wants to know, give me a buzz. Best wishes, cj

03-17-2008, 08:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
comiken205 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maricopa, AZ My Treo: Treo 800w My Carrier: Sprint My OS: Vista Posts: 2,540 Thanks: 198 Thanked 299 Times in 249 Posts	Thank you for updating us. Some people will now go to you for help. lol

03-18-2008, 12:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
Psycmeistr Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 My Treo: Treo 680 My Carrier: Cingular/AT&T My OS: XP Posts: 28 Thanks: 4 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	I have experienced sudden battery loss of 20 or more percent in a matter of moments. In fact, I've gotten a "low battery" warning when the guage stated that I have 70% left. After I reset the unit, the battery power was normal, without further charging... I should say that I have an after-market extended battery (the kind you need a new backdoor for)