Xbox 360 Controller - flashing ring

[Schfifty Five]

I purchased an Xbox 360 black wireless controller + charge kit combo a few weeks ago.

I charged up the controller and when it was full I unplugged the charge kit.

Now the controller will start flashing the alternating rings indicating the batteries are low but when I check the battery charge, it shows 3 bars still...

I thought the flashing thing won't start until like 25% juice left or something.

Think there is something wrong w/ my controller?

 

[AstroManLuca]

No, that's normal. The battery estimate thing is really stupid. It will be at four bars for a couple hours, then it will drop to three bars and stay there until the batteries die.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
No, that's normal. The battery estimate thing is really stupid. It will be at four bars for a couple hours, then it will drop to three bars and stay there until the batteries die.

I see...so then, as long as my controller works, I should just ignore the flashing rings huh.

Just kinda annoying seeing the rings flash every 10 seconds even though I am near full capacity on my batteries.

 

[AstroManLuca]

No, that's the opposite of what I meant.

When the controller starts flashing, your battery is almost dead. That much IS accurate. The inaccurate part is when you press the button on the controller to bring up the display on your screen. In the upper right corner of that display is the battery capacity. THAT is the part that is inaccurate. It only ever shows 3 or 4 bars (out of 4). It'll show 3 bars until the battery outright dies (never showing 1 or 2 bars).

 

[erwos]

I dunno. My black controller seems to flash even when I've got like 8 hours or so left on it.

 

[Queasy]

I haven't had that problem. Usually when my controller starts flashing, the battery is almost dead and I had better not tempt fate. I did that during Forza 2 race night and my controller died while going full speed down a back straight away. Since it was an online match, the game didn't pause and my car just bounced all over the place while I was scrambling to get a new battery. :laugh:

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
No, that's the opposite of what I meant.

When the controller starts flashing, your battery is almost dead. That much IS accurate. The inaccurate part is when you press the button on the controller to bring up the display on your screen. In the upper right corner of that display is the battery capacity. THAT is the part that is inaccurate. It only ever shows 3 or 4 bars (out of 4). It'll show 3 bars until the battery outright dies (never showing 1 or 2 bars).

I see what you mean.

I'm thinking I may have a defective battery or unit, as after I charge it fully, it'll start flashing after a couple hours of use.

 

[TKE899]

Is it the MS battery pack? Or is it a Nyko type brand. I have used my Nyko and it has done this but since changing to actual MS branded battery packs, i have had no troubles.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Sounds like you have a cruddy battery pack. That seems strange, especially since you're apparently using an MS-branded one (purchased in a bundle along with the wireless controller and charging cable).

On the other hand, I don't keep track of how long the batteries last on my controllers, so 8 hours might be normal. I use an MS charging station rather than a cable to charge my batteries, and I just put the battery in the charger if it's been a few days. Still, I'd guess I'm getting 12+ hours out of each battery before I really need to charge it.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: TKE899
Is it the MS battery pack? Or is it a Nyko type brand. I have used my Nyko and it has done this but since changing to actual MS branded battery packs, i have had no troubles.

I'm using official MS brand battery/charger/controller.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Return it and get some new ones, sounds like you got a bad battery pack.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Return it and get some new ones, sounds like you got a bad battery pack.

I may just have to do that.

 

[Dessert Tears]

Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
I purchased an Xbox 360 black wireless controller + charge kit combo a few weeks ago.

How many charge/discharge cycles have you run it through? I borrowed a friend's play-and-charge kit that had been sitting unused, and it wouldn't hold a charge at first. I played with it always plugged in for a week, and its runtime progressively increased over the month or so I had it. It went back to sitting idle after I returned it, so I don't know if it's defective or damaged long-term.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: Flatscan

Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
I purchased an Xbox 360 black wireless controller + charge kit combo a few weeks ago.

How many charge/discharge cycles have you run it through? I borrowed a friend's play-and-charge kit that had been sitting unused, and it wouldn't hold a charge at first. I played with it always plugged in for a week, and its runtime progressively increased over the month or so I had it. It went back to sitting idle after I returned it, so I don't know if it's defective or damaged long-term.

Had the controller for a few weeks and have done 2 full charges on it.

 

[Dessert Tears]

Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
Had the controller for a few weeks and have done 2 full charges on it.

2 full charge cycles and a couple hours of use is slightly better than my limited experience. My guess is that the battery pack needs "exercise" and will perform better with additional charge cycles.

I'd lean towards holding onto it, but returning it is certainly an option. I think battery packs are covered by the 90-day accessories warranty, but it's a pain to get the service authorization and ship it, plus you'll probably get a refurb back.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Originally posted by: Flatscan

Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
Had the controller for a few weeks and have done 2 full charges on it.

2 full charge cycles and a couple hours of use is slightly better than my limited experience. My guess is that the battery pack needs "exercise" and will perform better with additional charge cycles.

I'd lean towards holding onto it, but returning it is certainly an option. I think battery packs are covered by the 90-day accessories warranty, but it's a pain to get the service authorization and ship it, plus you'll probably get a refurb back.

I am still within my 30 day return policy from buy.com. Hopefully I can get a exchange for it w/o much hassle.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Mine flashes too. But ti's been flashing for the past two weeks and I have been playing at least an hour a day. So whatever that means. It works.