Will My PM Battery Last 3 Months?

[raotor]

Hello,

Just wanting to know if the battery will hold up on my PM4 for 3 months without the erg being used? The PM is just over 2 years old and I use the rechargeable battery option on mine. Current battery levels show at 100%. I just want to ensure that my odometer reading and other internal config isn't lost if the machine doesn't get used in that space of time due to battery drain.

Many thanks.

[lindsayh]

Hello,Just wanting to know if the battery will hold up on my PM4 for 3 months without the erg being used? The PM is just over 2 years old and I use the rechargeable battery option on mine. Current battery levels show at 100%. I just want to ensure that my odometer reading and other internal config isn't lost if the machine doesn't get used in that space of time due to battery drain. Many thanks.

Steve in my experience 3 months is too long to leave it - I would change to the D cell alternative for that period.

[raotor]

Hello,Just wanting to know if the battery will hold up on my PM4 for 3 months without the erg being used? The PM is just over 2 years old and I use the rechargeable battery option on mine. Current battery levels show at 100%. I just want to ensure that my odometer reading and other internal config isn't lost if the machine doesn't get used in that space of time due to battery drain. Many thanks.

Steve in my experience 3 months is too long to leave it - I would change to the D cell alternative for that period.

Thanks for that. What I will probably do is to periodically connect the USB lead to my PC to top up the charge. Maybe once a week for 30 minutes or so should do it I think.

[Carl Watts]

Depends on what condition your rechargeable is in and what version of the PM4 you have. The post 2008 version of the PM4 uses about 10 times less current on standby compared to the earlier version of PM4 and a new set of Energizer D cells will back it up for over 2 years. Just look in the product ID screen and check the firmware version and datecode to see what version you have.

[raotor]

Depends on what condition your rechargeable is in and what version of the PM4 you have. The post 2008 version of the PM4 uses about 10 times less current on standby compared to the earlier version of PM4 and a new set of Energizer D cells will back it up for over 2 years. Just look in the product ID screen and check the firmware version and datecode to see what version you have.

Hi Carl,

My PM4 was purchased new back in June 2014 and came with firmware version 3.15. The date ID in the product code indicated a manufacture date of November 2013 I believe. Thus, I think this is the newer processor version.

In which case, should the rechargeable battery I use that came supplied with the PM be good to retain all settings for 3 months? I can connect the PM to my PC via the USB lead I have strung between them in order to top up the charge once a week or something but if you feel this is just not necessary then let me know please.

Out of interest, how long could the rechargeable battery be removed for before I lose everything? I was considering the D cell option but was concerned that if the swap over process took too long I would defeat my aims.


Many thanks.

[Citroen]

You can set a PM4 into "transit mode" (that's how they're shipped from Vermont).

From the MAIN MENU choose MORE OPTIONS -> UTILITIES -> LANGUAGE; on that menu press [CHANGE UNITS] three times then press [CHANGE DISPLAY] three times and the PM3 or PM4 will go into "transit mode" - all buttons are deactivated. The restart from "transit mode" is remove/replace the batteries, pull the handle or insert a logcard.

Not sure whether a PM5 has that feature.

[raotor]

You can set a PM4 into "transit mode" (that's how they're shipped from Vermont).

From the MAIN MENU choose MORE OPTIONS -> UTILITIES -> LANGUAGE; on that menu press [CHANGE UNITS] three times then press [CHANGE DISPLAY] three times and the PM3 or PM4 will go into "transit mode" - all buttons are deactivated. The restart from "transit mode" is remove/replace the batteries, pull the handle or insert a logcard.

Not sure whether a PM5 has that feature.

Interesting, thanks.

Can I take it that this "Transit Mode" function will retain all config and other user data while in a mode that reduces power consumption?

Should this be good for 3 months?

Hmmm ... come to think of it though, aren't PM's shipped without their batteries installed? So, would this not make transit mode pointless?

[Citroen]

It removes any risk of the monitor getting activated by button presses. You have to do something positive to wake it from "transit mode".

I'd stick a pair of D-cells in and set it in transit mode. Or I'd leave the rechargeable in (in transit mode) and leave it connected to a USB phone charger with a USB-A to USB-B cable (on a time switch for just a couple of minutes a day).

[jag]

I'm not sure what data you're afraid to lose, but your past rows won't disappear no matter how long you remove the batteries. At least, that was my experience with a PM4.

[raotor]

As a follow up and a general FYI on my original post; I am pleased to report that my newer processor version PM4 with rechargeable battery pack was able to retain all PM settings and data for the 3 months and 4 days it has been left unused.

Regards

Steve