Battery Life?

[mullerrj]

Was wondering if someone thats had the iBike Aero for a while could tell me their approx. battery life of the 2032 coin batteries in the following iBike devices/sensors:
a. Head Unit
b. Wireless Stem Mount
c. Cadence Sensor
d. Speed Sensor
e. HR Monitor
Assume daily use, for 2-3 hours, and ambient 70 deg F temps.

Sorry few more questions:
a) will the head unit and wireless stem mount batteries last longer if the cadence sensor and/or HR monitor isn't used?
b) will the head unit and wireless stem mount batteries be used up quicker if I'm communicating with my wireless Ant+Sport Power Tap?
c) when do you throw the batteries away, when the batteries dip below a certain voltage? i.e. <2.75V= trash

I realize battery life is temperature dependent which is why I said, avg 70 deg F temps above.

Apologize if these questions were asked in the past. Sorry, should have checked first.

Thanks Rob

[mullerrj]

Well, doesn't look to be too much battery life data out there. Therefore, I'll do my own tests (monthly) and publish the results. The reason I asked the original question is because I honestly believe some of the erroneous data that people are reporting could be a result of a weak or rundown battery. In fact, I'm getting some erroneous Cadence data of 180 rpm, etc. being reported on some rides lately. Thus, it would be good to know how long a NEW battery lasts based on its use..during different environmental conditions: hot/cold/temperate..or a combination of the three. I'll put new batteries in every sensor, head unit, wireless mount, etc. the 1st of each month, document the terminal voltage of each..document the usage during the month, and then list the end of the month terminal voltage. I'll also report any erroneous data I may get during that period...if any.

If anyone else can think of any other helpful data to collect, let me know. Thanks Rob

[coachboyd]

For the speed and HR sensors I haven't changed my batteries yet (and I got them just over a year ago). I still have a cadence sensor that I occasionally put on a bike and that is still working fine as well. I think I have changed the battery in my wireless mount a few times, although I have gotten a few different wireless mounts over the year (testing out new stuff).

Riding in 50 degrees and above, I am getting over 40 hours out of a 2032 battery. Under 40 degrees and the battery life goes down, but I make sure to save those batteries. When it gets warm again I just pop them back in and they are good to go for a while.

I know 2032 batteries don't have the best life compared to other kinds of batteries, but they are very cheap, available in almost any store, and if the one in your iBike dies it's about a dollar to change it (as opposed to the $100+ battery change for an SRM. . ouch)

[ludlaw]

This discussion reminds me of a question I had: is there an external battery option available for the wireless mount? If so, does that supply power for the computer as well?

[racerfern]

I change my speed, cadence and HR batteries once a year whether they need it or not. I generally get a month in cooler weather (40-60) and above 60 degrees, batteries last for months, so it's not even a concern. With the BATT TEST on the Gen 3 it really makes it easy. We're getting spoiled.

[wellmt]

Well I've had to change the battery in the combined Garmin Speed/Cadence sensor twice in the last 6 weeks! My guess is that the bike is stuck in a garage and it's been subzero a lot recently it just kills the battery. It took a while to figure out that it wasn't the iBike that was the problem, but when the Garmin wasn't reporting cadence either it was obvious.

In the cold, if I've got a longer ride (3 hrs+) I'll put a new battery into the iPro. That's regardless of whether it passes the test since the voltage can really drop near freezing.

In the warmer temps, batteries seem to last a few months in the unit and cadence sensor.

[racerfern]

Did you try this suggestion from a discussion on the same issue?

http://www.ibikeforum.com/viewtopic.php ... 4088#p4088

[riderofrohan]

You all are making me wonder if I have a bad batch of batteries. (purchased in bulk from Velocomp) I'm getting an hour of battery life if I'm lucky in 40 degree weather. I changed the battery in my wireless mount to see if that would help. Didn't really.

Chris

[riderofrohan]

BTW...I change the battery before every winter ride. Question: Does it help to go to 5 second recording interval in the winter?

Chris

[racerfern]

I believe data is still sampled at 1s then averaged and recorded, yielding a smaller file. So there would be no advantage as far as battery life (at least close to nil).

[MultiRider]

Well, doesn't look to be too much battery life data out there. Therefore, I'll do my own tests (monthly) and publish the results. The reason I asked the original question is because I honestly believe some of the erroneous data that people are reporting could be a result of a weak or rundown battery. In fact, I'm getting some erroneous Cadence data of 180 rpm, etc. being reported on some rides lately. Thus, it would be good to know how long a NEW battery lasts based on its use..during different environmental conditions: hot/cold/temperate..or a combination of the three. I'll put new batteries in every sensor, head unit, wireless mount, etc. the 1st of each month, document the terminal voltage of each..document the usage during the month, and then list the end of the month terminal voltage. I'll also report any erroneous data I may get during that period...if any.

If anyone else can think of any other helpful data to collect, let me know. Thanks Rob

I think it would be great to have this sort of data and am completely in favor and appreciative of your willingess/discipline to track and test. I'm sure others would very much like to have some idea of what to expect as well. Thanks!

[wellmt]

Weird, my Garmin GSC10 speed/cadence sensor is eating a battery every week at the moment. It never used to. I don't understand why. Yes it has been cold recently, but this week has been relatively mild.

There isn't any reason the iBike mount would have anything to do with it whilst idle in the garage (without an iBike attached) is there? I doubt it, but thought I'd ask...

[racerfern]

Nope, the problem is not the iBike. The problem most likely is that water got into the sensor. The most common place for this is the phillips screw that holds the arm in place. There's an o-ring back there that may have failed. It's happened to me twice, once because I got too much water on it.

If you're still under warranty Garmin will replace it no charge. If you're out of warranty you can usually find them reasonably priced on eBay.

[Velocomp]

No, your iBike isn't causing your Garmin to eat batteries!

Make sure the water seal on your Garmin sensor isn't damaged; if water got inside that could be the cause of the problem.

FYI, the iBike had nothing to with the financial collapse on Wall Street, either

[Russ]

Velocomp,
Not so fast!
FYI, the iBike had nothing to with the financial collapse on Wall Street, either

Well, I for one spent more time on my bike and spent less of my money and time in various money sucking institutions because I was either on my bike or too worn out to shop, you may have helped start the downfall ! ))

And I am sure the savings helped pay for my ibikes !

Russ

[Velocomp]

This makes my brain hurt too much.

[wellmt]

I really didn't think it'd be the iBike mount as I alluded to in my post, but I did get the answer! Thanks guys.