Battery drainage, has it been resolved?

[Nico]

Has there been any update on the phone battery drainage issue? I am using a Samsung phone with an SP Connect wireless charger mount and it is useless. Battery will not charge regardless of using low brightness, dark theme etc.....

I need to carry a battery pack in the tank bag to cover a full day of riding, I know 1st world problems but MRA is a phone battery killer.....

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Moved and fresh thread created, preventing a thread hijack.

Title created.

Richard

 

[DJ123]

Wireless charging is usually a slower rate, and less power than a wired connector.

What is the output of the wireless charger?

 

[Wapping]

Has there been any update on the phone battery drainage issue?

Yes, in a word.

I run MyRoute’s Navigation app (latest version) on my modern iPhone, powered by a Peak Design wireless charging mount. It powers and maintains power perfectly. The phone shows as much (or more) charge at the end of a 300 mile route, as it does at the start.

Note:

1. I don’t run music or any other apps on the phone.

2. The only ‘outward’ connection is BlueTooth for voice instructions.

3. I did have some power problems, but this was down to user error, The Peak Design wireless mount (as it comes out of the box) needs a USB C power connection. I had one already installed, so I used that. Foolishly, I had forgotten that the connection I chose I’d ‘stepped down’ so it would charge a phone. The wireless charger would charge but insufficiently. I had a second power lead, used to bring power to my tank bag. This terminates in an SAE connector. I bought an SAE terminated lead from Peak Design and all was well.

 

[Nico]

Thanks both (and thanks for moving the thread). I think the output is up to 15W and it connected via USB C cable to the USB port under the seat. I will give it a go in Wales this weekend, if I need to buy a map it will just add to the fun

I tried it yesterday after not using it for some time with the phone sub 20% and it was rubbish, maybe if I start at 100% it will hold better, let's see.

#3 above is a good tip, thank you.

 

[Wapping]

Thanks both (and thanks for moving the thread). I think the output is up to 15W and it connected via USB C cable to the USB port under the seat. I will give it a go in Wales this weekend, if I need to buy a map it will just add to the fun

Welcome.

I wonder if the USB C port under the seat is ‘stepped down’ too?

Here’s a link to the details of my Peak Design wireless charger and their words of wisdom in general:

Support Center | Peak Design Official Site

The easiest way to get immediate answers to your Peak Design questions.

www.peakdesign.com

You might have to scroll down a bit, to:

 

[autogs]

Why wouldn't you always start the phone at 100% if you were going to use it for navigation?
My iPhone 12 running mra and into a usb starts at 100% and is still at least 98% at the end of the day.

 

[DJ123]

Thanks both (and thanks for moving the thread). I think the output is up to 15W and it connected via USB C cable to the USB port under the seat. I will give it a go in Wales this weekend, if I need to buy a map it will just add to the fun

I tried it yesterday after not using it for some time with the phone sub 20% and it was rubbish, maybe if I start at 100% it will hold better, let's see.

A 'high power' output required for a fast charge is usually 5V/2A. The more normal output is 5V/1A, which may deplete the battery if the phone is running a high power task.

 

[Nico]

Welcome.

I wonder if the USB C port under the seat is ‘stepped down’ too

Yes possibly, does your SAE cable go straight to the battery of the bike?

Why wouldn't you always start the phone at 100% if you were going to use it for navigation?
My iPhone 12 running mra and into a usb starts at 100% and is still at least 98% at the end of the day.

Of course you would. the problem is the phone will not charge when connected to the wireless charger so sooner or later it will die given the MRA drainage.

 

[autogs]

But you would charge overnight for the following day?

 

[Wapping]

Yes possibly, does your SAE cable go straight to the battery of the bike?

It runs…. Battery….. Thunderbox…… SAE connector

 

[Nico]

But you would charge overnight for the following day?

Yes, but MRA will barely last a few hours when routing that is the issue. To be honest I had many GPS systems over the years and the while the MRA app is great an old school GPS Garmin/TomTom connected to the battery of the bike doesn't have all this faff.

 

[Wapping]

But you would charge overnight for the following day?

I think you are perhaps missing the point of the OP’s problem.

Despite starting to day with 100% charge, his wireless charging unit is not charging his phone sufficiently during the day’s riding. The phone is slowly but surely going flat.

 

[autogs]

Ok but that's not my experience when starting with a full battery

 

[Wapping]

Yes, but MRA will barely last a few hours when routing that is the issue.

That problem is now cured.

Indirectly, autogs is confirming the same. MyRoute’s Navigation app is now much less power hungry than it was.

Of course it depends on how long / over what distance the app is being run * and / or whether:

A. The phone is powered at all.

B. If it’s powered, how it is receiving power.

C. What other apps or services the phone might also be running, openly or behind the scenes.



* Some people only go 20 miles. Some go 300 or more.

 

[autogs]

Thanks both (and thanks for moving the thread). I think the output is up to 15W and it connected via USB C cable to the USB port under the seat. I will give it a go in Wales this weekend, if I need to buy a map it will just add to the fun

I tried it yesterday after not using it for some time with the phone sub 20% and it was rubbish, maybe if I start at 100% it will hold better, let's see.

#3 above is a good tip, thank you.

Ah did I misunderstand the 2nd paragraph?

 

[wessie]

The bike's USB-C output is not necessarily suitable for powering the mount. The chart shows the mount needs a 12V input as achieved by @Wapping from his Thunderbox connection. This will give the mount enough current to charge the phone at full power.

USB C will charge a phone at 5V but the USB C port needs to be USB PD compliant to provide more than 5V e.g. I can power my laptop from the USB-C port on a standalone screen and the laptop sends the video signal to the screen over the same cable. This means just 2 leads, a mains cable to the screen and a single USB-C cable suitable for 15V to the laptop and high speed data transfer.
I can't charge my laptop form a 5V phone charger with a USB-C socket.

@Nico needs to check his USB-C output under the seat is PD compliant

 

[Wapping]

The bike's USB-C output is not necessarily suitable for powering the mount. The chart shows the mount needs a 12V input as achieved by @Wapping from his Thunderbox connection. This will give the mount enough current to charge the phone at full power.

That’s true,

I also tried powering the Peak Design wireless charger from the factory fit USB C socket on my 450 Himalayan. That will charge a phone but kicks out insufficient power to drive the wireless charger.

 

[Nico]

Thanks all, I wasn't expecting this level of interest I will explore alternative options given your feedback.

 

[wilbjr21]

The SP Connect Wireless/Vibration Dampened mount will also charge at 15 Watts.

After an experience I had on the M42 in the rain, I don't use wired charging - flames and smoke from the connection to my iPhone !!!

 

[Wapping]

Thanks all, I wasn't expecting this level of interest I will explore alternative options given your feedback.

Welcome.

It’s amazing what a dedicated on-topic post can do

Here’s confirmation of the updated power saving, posted by one of the MyRoute team on their (very good) forum:




Please do let us know how you get on with powering the wireless charger and, of course, if your phones charges / maintains a decent level of charge during the day.