Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by jujube on March 4, 2013 at 7:01pm

I have the paradigm mini and my pump only uses energizer batteries. If I use Duracell then I get battery failure messages. So, I only use energizers AAA

Permalink Reply by S Woodward on March 4, 2013 at 11:14pm

The Minimed battery monitoring setting profiles are only set up for energizer batteries. Any other battery will cause errors even when there is still power in the battery...what a pain, I know. If you are using energizers call Minimed ASAP to get the pump error documented and addressed by Minimed.

Hope that helps.

Permalink Reply by PMichel on March 5, 2013 at 5:29am

It could be a battery brand issue, however...when I have the slightest problem with the pump, I call Minimed. They will help you look for a solution but 3/4 times my pump has been replaced. They do not take malfunctions lightly.

Permalink Reply by Bill on March 5, 2013 at 6:50am

Thanks for the feedback. I was using Energizer batteries. I will be calling the company to get this resolved.

Permalink Reply by john on March 5, 2013 at 1:07pm

Yep, had a few of these myself. The (No)Help desk tells me that only Energizer batteries are approved for this machine. Really? Well, I took my handy meter, and tested the battery that was supposedly "dead" and it showed 1.57Volts, ie: almost full charge. So, I too stuck it back in and the meter was happy, showing 5 bars. Now that I know this, I have done it several times since.

On a previous occaision, I had the same alert and found a minute crack around the base of the battery screw-in cap. Evidently, this is an area they have been having a high faiure rate with too. Must be VERY careful not to overtighten it. Just thread it in with your fingers, then use a coin to snug it up a little, so that the slot is about vertical, no more. Call Medtronic and they'll send you a new cap, if that's the problem.

Permalink Reply by S Woodward on March 5, 2013 at 11:35pm

The voltage # is not the critical measure because the pump has to predict when the batter will be too low to work.

The Minimed software that monitors the changes in voltage is using the data from a Energizer battery, so if you use another battery, like a Duracell, the software does not affectively predict when the battery will be unusable and usually tells you it is bad or low when the voltage in the Duracell still has power to perform if the software would let it.

With the Energizer it will let the voltage drop further because it is comparing it to the know Energizer data points in the pump software.

The quick answer is to use Energizers to avoid battery performance issues from appearing when the battery still has power to do the job...Minimed driven life is fun ain't it!

Permalink Reply by Gamin on March 25, 2013 at 7:48am

I've used Rayovac batteries for years, and they've held their charge for 4-5 weeks. Always buy them when they're on sale at Shoprite. Much cheaper than Energizers . . . .