X360 Controller rechargable battery problems?

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RanceJustice

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Hey guys. Perhaps someone has come across this before. I've been using my Xbox360 controller (Elite model, came with console) with a Play and Charge kit for years. I've charged it from the 360's USB ports, as well as those on my PC. I've not played my Xbox for a few weeks, but now it seems there's a problem with the charge.

When I connect my controller via the charging cable, the light is red for a second and then instantly green, indicating a full charge. However, when I attempt to disconnect the cable the controller instantly shuts off and will not turn back on. It acts as though the battery is dead! In addition, last I checked while connected the system menu battery gauge suggests only one bar of charge, while the green light is on!

Has the battery pack gone to hell or is there something else I should check before ordering a new one? I've never had this happen before.
 
mine did the same. I let it sit idle for about a month, and it never worked again.. I can plug in the cord, and the light goes green, but once i disconnect it ... the battery just dies..


I just got a new one
 
I let my elite controller sit idle for a month or two as well and experienced the same problem. I was able to correct it by unplugging the controller and immediately plugging it back in as soon as the light turned green. I had to do this several times but eventually the controller started taking longer and longer between plugging it in and having the green light come on. I am now back to a fully functioning controller that takes a full charge. This may not work for you but its worth a shot.
 
The batteries die pretty quickly. I've had to buy something like 5 sets of batteries for my controllers since the xbox came out, but there are ways to make that cheaper if you're clever.

side note: ps3 controllers have never shown signs of battery life getting shorter at all.
 
Little known fact, the play and charge kits ONLY CHARGE when the 360 is turned off. If you have the console on, it gives just enough juice to use the controller.

Also, stop using play and charge and move to the Quick Charge kit/charger. I all the years of my 360ing, this is the best solution.
 
its because theyre nimh batteries, and not the hybrid kind. they self discharge within a month, and it doesnt take long before flat battery turns into ruined battery. its just generic batteries... its what they do.

i have 3 battery packs that are dead out of my 4, and i plan on hacking in some rayovac hybrids (eneloops kind of) in them. that should take care of the sudden death syndrome and keep things fully charged even when stored.
 
I've found a 15 minute recharger and some nice 2500-2800mAh batteries do wonders compared to the four battery packs I've owned that became useless within a years time. Saves you money and the AA batteries are multipurpose around the house.

If you crack open the recharge pack it's just some AA batteries anyway. (NI-MH at that)
 
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Thanks everyone. I purchased a Quick Charge kit (They only come in white, don't they?). I was under the impression these were lithium-ion or such, but if they're not I can see how they're so temperamental.
 
no theyre definitely just nimh. which is fine if you keep them plugged in at least every few nights... a pair of rayovac hybrids or duracell eneloops fixes all battery devices though;) my skype phone, my air mouse, carpc gear... those low self-discharge batteries are the shit.
 
theNoid said:
Little known fact, the play and charge kits ONLY CHARGE when the 360 is turned off. If you have the console on, it gives just enough juice to use the controller.

Also, stop using play and charge and move to the Quick Charge kit/charger. I all the years of my 360ing, this is the best solution.
Click to expand...

you sure about that?
my controller is always unplugged when my XBox is turned off, and it holds a charge just fine.
 
theNoid said:
Little known fact, the play and charge kits ONLY CHARGE when the 360 is turned off. If you have the console on, it gives just enough juice to use the controller.

Also, stop using play and charge and move to the Quick Charge kit/charger. I all the years of my 360ing, this is the best solution.
Click to expand...

this is not true, i always charge mine when only when it starts blinking and i when i take it off its holds a charge just fine..
 
I've had my PnC kit for nearly 3 years, and I'm still on the original battery. I only charge it once every few weeks, and get plenty of game time in. No complaints here..
 
KingSmoth said:
I've had my PnC kit for nearly 3 years, and I'm still on the original battery. I only charge it once every few weeks, and get plenty of game time in. No complaints here..
Click to expand...

Yeah it's weird, I had a launch console for over a year and the first battery was fine. Then later on I got another Pro and my roommate has a Halo edition console and both of the newer ones chewed through batteries like crazy. It's now to the point where we have to leave the Play and Charge kit plugged in at all times just to be able to play because no batteries will hold a charge. We tried buying new batteries and they were completely dead within 2 weeks.

I'm not really sure what the deal is, but I'm perfectly fine using a wired controller instead.
 
You can actually FIX this problem!

Mine did the same thing, and I figured there was probably a problem with the chip on the battery mis-reporting it's state as "fully charged". So I unplugged and plugged the cable into the controller every time it went insta-green. After about 15-20 times it stayed orange until it was charged. Now I have no issues.
 
thats a common trick to revive flattened batteries, but you can also risk over-stressing the cells and causing them to leak.
 
I recommend not getting the xbox specific battery packs and getting some Sanyo Eneloops with a charger. You can use the batteries in any device, not just the xbox. Plus they're awesome.
 
Xaeos said:
Thanks everyone. I purchased a Quick Charge kit (They only come in white, don't they?). I was under the impression these were lithium-ion or such, but if they're not I can see how they're so temperamental.
Click to expand...

Smart move.

To my knowledge these packs are lithium-ion bases, and hold a charge just as well as any other LI unit. Since swapping to the quick charge solution, I rarely have to swap and when I do I always keep 1 on the charger for instant action in seconds. Rinse repeat.
 
mdameron said:
I recommend not getting the xbox specific battery packs and getting some Sanyo Eneloops with a charger. You can use the batteries in any device, not just the xbox. Plus they're awesome.
Click to expand...

just crack open the battery pack and solder in the eneloops. the xbox chargers are nimh, and the eneloops will charge in them perfectly. no messing with separate batteries then, just use as normal playncharge kit.
 
krupted said:
just crack open the battery pack and solder in the eneloops. the xbox chargers are nimh, and the eneloops will charge in them perfectly. no messing with separate batteries then, just use as normal playncharge kit.
Click to expand...

I have no idea how to solder but this is awesome.

Using just regular ol' eneloops works great for me though. ;)
 
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