Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by meh_mtl on January 22, 2013 at 4:48am

I had my training in Oct 2012.
I was told that I couldn`t use recharable batteries, or cheap dollar store brands, and if I did that they were not responsible for anything that happened.

Permalink Reply by Brando on January 23, 2013 at 5:33pm

I have used rechargeable batteries in the PDM since I've been on it and have not had any issues. I was told that I can't at training too, but I didn't listen. The battery meter on the screen dose not read correctly with rechargeable, but I avoid that issue by changing the batteries monthly.

Permalink Reply by aimeeh2oski on January 23, 2013 at 7:39pm

Interesting. My D-mom friend texted me today to say they had 2 more pod failures today alone. But from all I've read in similar forums about the batteries, it doesn't seem that non-alkaline batteries affect the pods, only the PDM.

Permalink Reply by Jim on January 25, 2013 at 6:58am

I don't think the PDM can cause a pod to fail, per se. The worst that could happen is that it would somehow lose connection to the pod, but even when the batteries are removed and replaced on the PDM, it reconnects with the current pod, so I doubt the type of batteries used in the PDM would cause pod failures.

Permalink Reply by Ren on January 30, 2013 at 9:30am

Hi aimee,

I wholeheartedly agree with you. I used rechargeable batteries at first but had some issues with the PDM that caused me to call customer support. They explained that using rechargeable batteries would void my warranty. I have since used tossable batteries (which I hate - I use rechargeable batteries for everything else in my home).

Re failing pods: Over the last 2 weeks, my PDM has given me an error message on 2 occasions. Each time, the error forced me to reset the date and time which ultimately also forced (I had no choice in the matter) me to deactivate (practically new) pods. On the phone with customer support just this morning, I was told that the issue was likely the batteries. They added that the best batteries to use SEEM TO BE Energizer Max batteries. The Duracell batteries I am currently using apparently don't fit quite right. Who knew, right??

Permalink Reply by meh_mtl on January 30, 2013 at 3:03pm

Im using Duracell , but they don't seem to last as long as the energizer did

Permalink Reply by Scott Wilkins on January 31, 2013 at 7:30pm

Rechargable batteries do not give the proper voltage for many electronic devices. They may be good for motorized devices, but not electronics. Most rechargables only give out 1.2 volts, where regular batteries put out 1.5 volts. The chips in the PDM and other electronics require exact voltage to work properly. So with two batteries, instead of a full 3 volts, you'd only be supplying 2.4 volts. That could cause all types of odd behavior, especially in the BG monitor part of the PDM.

Does that help?