Continued Battery Issues

[mattbaylor3]

So I posted about a month ago and for the past six weeks have been having battery issues with my Droid Charge.  The battery issues began occurring approximately one week PRIOR to installing the new O/S update.  Prior to the issue, I would regularly get 24 hours worth of battery life out of my phone.  Now, with the same use (perhaps less because I'm so conscious of the battery) I get 10 hours of battery life if I am lucky.

When checking battery life, the 3 highest energy guzzlers are Android System, Cell Standby and Android OS.  To try to rectify, the Verizon store has changed battery settings (which did not help) and done a hard reset back to the manufacturers' settings, neither of which has helped.  Any ideas?  I'd like to get this resolve sooner rather than later, as my manufacturer warranty expires in a few days, so if it is a hardware issue, I'd like to replace the phone on that rather than the Verizon insurance (though obviously my first choice is for the phone I have to work!).

Thanks!

[JPHBucks]

I have the same battery problems as you.  Like you, hard reset did not work.  Unlike you, I had no problems at all until the software update.  My phone is running very hot.

Five hours battery life on a phone that has not been used since being taken off the charger is just not acceptable.

[JerryF]

Go to Task Manager.  Are there any Active Applications running.

Go to Settings>Applications>Running Services>Running tab.  Are there any weird or unusual things running.  I just went there and stopped Google MAPS (not using them at the moment) and Sync Service (I do not use Verizon's BackUp APP).

Try any other battery you may have because a HOT battery CAN BE caused by a battery with to much internal resistance.  In other words a battery that  is starting to fail.

JerryF

[jco23]

both replies sounds like the FP1 kernel is having trouble grabbing a signal from the tower.  but not sure if is related to the mobile data or the voice signal.

try this for a day - turn off mobile data and just run the phone as a normal phone (I know, GASP!).  you'll still be able to make calls and receive texts (SMS only, no MMS).  if you see your battery drain relatively quick, then the issue with the voice signal.  if not, then the issue is data related.

if data related, it could be the data signal or an app that continues to use your data when you're not using the phone.

a trick that Jerry pointed out another thread is to turn off background data.

but also as Jerry mentioned, could just be the battery - I have heard of folks calling in to VZW tech support, complaining about the battery, and they send them a new battery the next day free of charge.

hope this helps.

[JerryF]

What JCO said about the phone signal is so true.  When traveling in our motorhome we have been in areas where there is NO signal and we quickly learned that the phones battery runs down to almost zero in just a few hours.

This is because the phone keeps trying to find the, non existent, signal.  In that case all we could do was to turn off the phone.  Now that we have a smart phone I suppose we could go to airplane mode.

JerryF

[mattbaylor3]

All right, since I'm in the office today, I'm going to try this no mobile data for the day.

I already run the phone with background data off (learned that trick shortly after I bought it).

In terms of tech support, maybe I should be calling instead of going into the store.  I've been in the store at least once every week for six weeks and always get someone that never takes my name or number, just goes in and plays with it for a short bit and is like "oh it's fixed!" and then when I'm back the next week I get the "it must be something in your settings" when I haven't changed a thing.  At least now, having done a hard reset in the store, I can at least go in and tell them it's either their signal or a hardware issue because I'm back on factory settings (well except battery saving measures like turning background data off and turning syncs off).

Thanks JCO and Jerry...I'll post the good (or bad) news this evening, depending how the battery runs through the day!

[mattbaylor3]

Survey says...Data-related!  While during a regular day, my battery would have been down to 30-40% when I'm ready to leave the office, with the same normal daily use, it's at 90% tonight.

So...what exactly are my options, I mean I'm paying $30/month for a data plan, but if I'm using data, I have no battery...if I want battery life, I don't have data (which I need to receive work emails).  Oh Verizon, why can I not have my cake and eat it too!

[JerryF]

If you have WFi available this may help.

Turn on your Data.  Then turn on your WiFi and you will see, at the top of the display, that the WiFi takes over and puts the Data in the background.  Everything will work.

Leave it this way, using WiFi, and see if that gives longer or better battery capacity.

JerryF

[jco23]

there are a couple of options:

1.) easiest method is to buy another battery or charger, and leave that charger at your desk (I'm sure you could find one for !$10 on ebay).

2.) you can try to focus in on those apps that are causing the most battery drain and eliminate them

3.) can't mention here.

[JPHBucks]

Looks like one of my batteries is good - out of three that I've purchased.  But using that one battery, I'm able to get my accustomed 20 hr of "on" time, with up to 12 hours if I am in moderate use.

Disappointing that the other two batteries crapped out so quickly, but at least the phone itself (which has been replaced under warranty) is now operating OK.