BlackBerry Forums Support Community
              

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 09-12-2008, 11:17 AM   #1
bbstalker
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Model: BOLD
PIN: N/A
Carrier: T-MOBILE
Posts: 33
Thumbs up Tutorial: How To Improve Battery Life

Please Login to Remove!

Recently, I was looking for ways to make my new BB Bold's battery working time longer. I committed some experiments and talked to some battery gurus. Here are the steps how to make your battery stronger, make it live longer and have longer time between recharges. Listed in order of significance.
  1. Train your battery. This is recommended with completely new batteries. You need to drain the battery and fully recharge it about 5 times. Let a movie run (or a short demo video, with "repeat" mode ON) until the phone turns itself OFF. Then recharge it with the battery charger. Battery charge is more preferable for the training. Repeat this operation 5 times.
  2. Turn OFF 3G if you don't need it.
  3. Turn OFF WiFi if you don't need it all the time. Turn it ON only when you want to use it.
  4. Turn OFF Bluetooth. Turn it ON only when you want to use it.
  5. Enable "Auto On/Off". In "Options"->"Auto On/Off" you can activate the timer, which turns the device OFF in the night hours and turns it ON in the morning. Might suit not for the doctors among us, who should be ready to go on a call even in the night
  6. Keep it in the case. Putting the device in the case (with magnet) will put the device in sleep mode which will help battery life. Thanks to jsconyers for this tip!

This improved my Bold's battery dramatically. Before I had to recharge it every night despite not active using during the day. Now it takes 5-7 days between recharging, depending on how often I use it.

If you have more tips please add.

@Moderators: please stick it to the top if possible. Thank you.

Last edited by bbstalker; 09-12-2008 at 04:04 PM..
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 11:21 AM   #2
Ivc
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Model: 9000
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Rogers for Bold and iPhone 3G
Posts: 48
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bbstalker View Post
[LIST=1][*]Train your battery. This is recommended with completely new batteries. You need to drain the battery and fully recharge it about 5 times.
This is contrary to the FAQ that's part of this Forum:

Maximum Battery Life - BlackBerryFAQ
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 12:14 PM   #3
greggebhardt
No longer Registered.
 
greggebhardt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Jacksonville, FLorida
Model: 9000!
PIN: NOT!
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 3,762
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bbstalker View Post
Recently, I was looking for ways to make my new BB Bold's battery working time longer. I committed some experiments and talked to some battery gurus. Here are the steps how to make your battery stronger, make it live longer and have longer time between recharges. Listed in order of significance.
  1. Train your battery. This is recommended with completely new batteries. You need to drain the battery and fully recharge it about 5 times. Let a movie run (or a short demo video, with "repeat" mode ON) until the phone turns itself OFF. Then recharge it with the battery charger. Battery charge is more preferable for the training. Repeat this operation 5 times.
  2. Turn OFF 3G if you don't need it.
  3. Turn OFF WiFi if you don't need it all the time. Turn it ON only when you want to use it.
  4. Turn OFF Bluetooth. Turn it ON only when you want to use it.

This improved my Bold's battery dramatically. Before I had to recharge it every night despite not active using during the day. Now it takes 5-7 days between recharging, depending on how often I use it.

If you have more tips please add.

@Moderators: please stick it to the top if possible. Thank you.
I do not agree to your "training your battery" instructions.

Turning off WiFi and Bluetooth is just common sense.

Saying you went from charging every night to only needing to be charged every 5-7 days is . . . well the truth is not being represented in this statement!
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 12:39 PM   #4
Cory Scheuer
No longer Registered.
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Model: 8900
OS: 4.6.1.199
Carrier: None
Posts: 2,622
Default

You do not need to "train" your battery, actually doing so will ruin it
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 01:24 PM   #5
bbstalker
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Model: BOLD
PIN: N/A
Carrier: T-MOBILE
Posts: 33
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cory Scheuer View Post
You do not need to "train" your battery, actually doing so will ruin it
following your theory my battery should be dead now.

Training the battery is known from old times of Nickel-based batteries, where it was almost a requirement. With Lithium batteries training in this sense is not necessary indeed, but a few full recharge cycles at the very beginning are helpful, because they help to balance the cell capacity. As you all perfectly know you Bold has a Lithium polymer multi cell battery. About specifics of that type you can read e.g. at Lithium-ion polymer battery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The rumor that you shouldn't ever let the Li-Pol battery to be completely discharged is a FUD. Each such battery has an integrated control mechanism, which shuts the battery down when a certain low level of capacity reached. So if you plug in the charger just after the battery went "empty" and load the battery 100%, there shouldn't be any problems. In this light I doubt the guide at Maximum Battery Life - BlackBerryFAQ is written by people who are familiar with battery electronics.

Last edited by bbstalker; 09-12-2008 at 01:34 PM..
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 01:43 PM   #6
greggebhardt
No longer Registered.
 
greggebhardt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Jacksonville, FLorida
Model: 9000!
PIN: NOT!
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 3,762
Default

FUD is claiming you get 5-7 days on your Bold.

This statement is false
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 02:05 PM   #7
bbstalker
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Model: BOLD
PIN: N/A
Carrier: T-MOBILE
Posts: 33
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by greggebhardt View Post
FUD is claiming you get 5-7 days on your Bold.

This statement is false
Greg, if your gadget doesn't live that long between recharges, then either you are using it intensively or you better try those tips. 5-7 days for a BB Bold laying mostly on a shelf or in the pocket in not FUD but reality. RIM claims in their specs the following data:

Quote:
Approximate Battery Life
  • GSM Talk Time: 4.3 hours; GSM Standby Time: 9 days
  • UMTS Talk Time: 4 hours; UMTS Standby Time: 10.5 days
So about a week between recharges of casual use with WiFi, 3G and BT OFF is perfectly normal.

Last edited by bbstalker; 09-12-2008 at 02:09 PM..
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 02:08 PM   #8
JG in SB
Talking BlackBerry Encyclopedia
 
JG in SB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Model: 9800
OS: 6.0.0.448
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 308
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by greggebhardt View Post
FUD is claiming you get 5-7 days on your Bold.

This statement is false
First of all, what does "FUD" mean?

Second of all, the statement the guy makes is:

"Now it takes 5-7 days between recharging, depending on how often I use it."

That statement is not neccessarily false. Maybe he keeps it turned off except for when he is making a call, and turns it off every night while he sleeps. His statement could be true, although sort of pointless, if that were the case.

So, rather than false, I would describe the OP's statement in one of these ways:
  • "Lacking any useful information"
  • "Inconclusive"
  • "Not relevant without additional details"
  • "Fails to provide any data that supports the OP's claim"

If the OP comes back, and states that, yes in fact he claims that he is getting 5-7 days of battery life while leaving his Bold on 100% of the time and with only light use, the greggebhart is 100% right, the guy is lying. Why, we'll never understand.
__________________
Jarrett Gorin
Santa Barbara, California
USA
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 02:17 PM   #9
bbstalker
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Model: BOLD
PIN: N/A
Carrier: T-MOBILE
Posts: 33
Default

Oh, and I forgot one more great battery saver! For those who don't use the device at night and don't expect/appreciate calls in the night, there is a nice option. In "Options"->"Auto On/Off" enable that the device goes OFF at night and turns ON in the morning. You can set the schedule as you like.
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 02:37 PM   #10
greggebhardt
No longer Registered.
 
greggebhardt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Jacksonville, FLorida
Model: 9000!
PIN: NOT!
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 3,762
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bbstalker View Post
Greg, if your gadget doesn't live that long between recharges, then either you are using it intensively or you better try those tips. 5-7 days for a BB Bold laying mostly on a shelf or in the pocket in not FUD but reality. RIM claims in their specs the following data:



So about a week between recharges of casual use with WiFi, 3G and BT OFF is perfectly normal.

Sorry man but I hate to say you are full of it. You are telling me that your Bold runs 5 full days with the radio turned on? In these 5 days do you use it? I know you love your Bold but you are exaggerating the facts. Nothing you do to your battery will GREATLY increase it's capacity. I would go for a couple of days with moderate use and maybe 3 days with very light use but 5 days! Not!

If you are turning your phone off, you are fooling yourself! I could get 10 days use if I turned it off every second I was not using it. But I get phone calls and emails and turning the phone off kinda defeats the purpose of push email.

Give me a break. If you use your phone that little, you really don't need one!

Last edited by greggebhardt; 09-12-2008 at 02:43 PM..
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 02:39 PM   #11
greggebhardt
No longer Registered.
 
greggebhardt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Jacksonville, FLorida
Model: 9000!
PIN: NOT!
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 3,762
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bbstalker View Post
Oh, and I forgot one more great battery saver! For those who don't use the device at night and don't expect/appreciate calls in the night, there is a nice option. In "Options"->"Auto On/Off" enable that the device goes OFF at night and turns ON in the morning. You can set the schedule as you like.

Lol! There is also an on and off button!
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 02:45 PM   #12
bbstalker
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Model: BOLD
PIN: N/A
Carrier: T-MOBILE
Posts: 33
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by greggebhardt View Post
Lol! There is also an on and off button!
I had a phone before which turned OFF every night. And I always forgot to turn it ON in the mornings. Always recognized that my phone is OFF at noon and surely missed some calls. So, this timer is really useful.
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 02:48 PM   #13
jsconyers
New Member
 
jsconyers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: In a van down by the river.
Model: NOTE2
OS: 4.1
PIN: <- Where do I find this?
Carrier: Sprint
Posts: 15,104
Default

I don't think this thread needs to be a sticky as there is already an FAQ on this. Also, you forgot to mention that putting the device in the case (with magnet) will put the device in sleep mode which will help battery life
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 02:50 PM   #14
greggebhardt
No longer Registered.
 
greggebhardt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Jacksonville, FLorida
Model: 9000!
PIN: NOT!
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 3,762
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bbstalker View Post
I had a phone before which turned OFF every night. And I always forgot to turn it ON in the mornings. Always recognized that my phone is OFF at noon and surely missed some calls. So, this timer is really useful.

Thanks, I will remember your battery tips!
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 03:13 PM   #15
bbstalker
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Model: BOLD
PIN: N/A
Carrier: T-MOBILE
Posts: 33
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jsconyers View Post
I don't think this thread needs to be a sticky as there is already an FAQ on this. Also, you forgot to mention that putting the device in the case (with magnet) will put the device in sleep mode which will help battery life
If you mean the FAQ which was mentioned above then I don't think it's accurate, moreover it doesn't target BB Bold but all BlackBerries, thus doesn't consider specific features of this device.

Thank you for the tip with the case, adding it to the list.
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 03:24 PM   #16
marcs_29
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Model: 9000
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Rogers
Posts: 32
Default

sticky!
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 03:30 PM   #17
BBSwany
CrackBerry Addict
 
BBSwany's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Colorado
Model: Z10
OS: 10
Carrier: Straight Talk
Posts: 684
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jsconyers View Post
I don't think this thread needs to be a sticky as there is already an FAQ on this.
Agreed. Don't get us wrong bbstalker, we appreicate that your trying to contribute to the forums. You took a little time to put this together. But most of us here are professional users. Any connection that is left on (WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth) will undoubtedly use excess energy so that is a given. A big one you missed though:

Turn the backlight down to 60 - 70% and that will make a difference.

And I would have to call foul on 5 - 7 day battery life unless you don't use it. I can get two days of light use. But normally I'm sitting at about a day to a day and a half before it visits Mr. Charger.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JG in SB View Post
First of all, what does "FUD" mean?
Had to look it up..

Fear, uncertainty and doubt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
__________________
HOW-TO's | TIPS & TRICKS | WALLPAPERS: BBGrounds
Bold OR Storm on T-Mo? WANT YOUR BROWSER & MMS? CLICK ME!

[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Last edited by BBSwany; 09-12-2008 at 03:33 PM..
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 03:36 PM   #18
InnerGeek
Thumbs Must Hurt
 
InnerGeek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Model: 9000
OS: 4.6.0.214
PIN: N/A
Carrier: at&t
Posts: 99
Default

You have to love Wikipedia...
__________________
Alex
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 03:36 PM   #19
TheBigNewt
BlackBerry Extraordinaire
 
TheBigNewt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Prescott, AZ
Model: 8900
OS: 5.0.0.411
Carrier: Tmobile
Posts: 1,641
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by greggebhardt View Post
Sorry man but I hate to say you are full of it. You are telling me that your Bold runs 5 full days with the radio turned on? In these 5 days do you use it? I know you love your Bold but you are exaggerating the facts. Nothing you do to your battery will GREATLY increase it's capacity. I would go for a couple of days with moderate use and maybe 3 days with very light use but 5 days! Not!

If you are turning your phone off, you are fooling yourself! I could get 10 days use if I turned it off every second I was not using it. But I get phone calls and emails and turning the phone off kinda defeats the purpose of push email.

Give me a break. If you use your phone that little, you really don't need one!
He said he goes 5-7 days with WiFi/3G/BT turned off. That's quite possible. The Bold battery is bigger than mine (8100 with 1200 mAh extended battery). I go 4-5 days always before I recharge (at 20% usually). I turn mine off at night, use magnet pouch. 20 emails read/txt very little browsing, talk 10-15 min maybe (or not). The Bold will do better than that with 2G only.
__________________
BB 8900 Tmobile, Moto Droid Verizon
Offline  
Old 09-12-2008, 03:57 PM   #20
bbstalker
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Model: BOLD
PIN: N/A
Carrier: T-MOBILE
Posts: 33
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bbswany View Post
Any connection that is left on (WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth) will undoubtedly use excess energy so that is a given. A big one you missed though:

Turn the backlight down to 60 - 70% and that will make a difference.
I think Bold has already a "smart" backlight regulation. It lowers the brightness for most of the scenarios and goes to the full brightness when you watch a video. So, I think it's nicely regulated and enabled by default.
Offline  
Closed Thread


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


Dec/Adac Corp. D4-10390 Rev 6 Model 1664ATTL Output Pulse Board 1983 (B16) picture

Dec/Adac Corp. D4-10390 Rev 6 Model 1664ATTL Output Pulse Board 1983 (B16)

$189.99



Niedermaier vintage Mannequins Visual Display Props Dec. 1991 Catalogue picture

Niedermaier vintage Mannequins Visual Display Props Dec. 1991 Catalogue

$141.00



VINTAGE Bruker Board DEC W4P3042 for SpectroSpin 250 picture

VINTAGE Bruker Board DEC W4P3042 for SpectroSpin 250

$99.99



VINTAGE WESTERN ELECTRIC METER ORDNANCE A322525 WWII ERA DECEMBER 1943 picture

VINTAGE WESTERN ELECTRIC METER ORDNANCE A322525 WWII ERA DECEMBER 1943

$30.00



Adec Vintage Adjusting Dentist Doctor Medical Stool Rolling Swivel Chair picture

Adec Vintage Adjusting Dentist Doctor Medical Stool Rolling Swivel Chair

$199.99



HSS 12pcs Valve Seat & Face Cutter 45dec 30dec 20dec for Vintage Car, Bikes ,Jee picture

HSS 12pcs Valve Seat & Face Cutter 45dec 30dec 20dec for Vintage Car, Bikes ,Jee

$235.94







Copyright © 2004-2016 BlackBerryForums.com.
The names RIM © and BlackBerry © are registered Trademarks of BlackBerry Inc.