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Cold weather battery performance?

I’ve done two rides recently in very cold conditions (approx. 10F), and in both cases my battery life was shockingly short. On the first one, battery went from 100 to 0 in less than 4 hours. On the second ride, it went from 100 to 30 in about 1.5 hour. In more temperate climates, I’ve gotten the advertised 15-20 hours of battery life.

I was just going to write it off to the extreme cold, but my buddy’s 1030 was at 92% after today’s ride.

has anyone else experienced this? Do I have a defective battery?

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Following. I saw similar drainage in a 10 degree F ride tho I don't recall exactly where it was on starting. Firmware 7. Are you both on the same version?

0 krazyeone over 6 years ago

I did some rides below 0 C, at -2 -3 C and did not notice battery drain
It was before 7.0 with the latest beta

0 dmw010 over 6 years ago

I was on the previous SW version, my unit updated to 7 after my ride yesterday. I haven’t been on a ride with 7 yet.

0 russm3086 over 6 years ago

I had the same issue using 7.0, but the 1030 has never done that well in negative Celsius. Typically at -5 the battery will not last more 3 hrs.with 7.0. but I barely got more than 3 hrs before 7.0.

0 brian416 over 6 years ago

I'm seeing battery drain at about 45% per hour below ten degrees with mine and 30-40% at 15 degrees. I think it may have to do with firmware 7.0, I didn't have any issues prior to that or last winter either (I would see at most 20% drain per hour in the same temps)

0 tuplass over 6 years ago

Went from 100% to 9% in an hour riding in -30°C (-22°F). Had to shove it in my breast pocket. Rode for another 30min and it was at 0%, but weirdly still on, when i got home. Wondering if it's just displaying the % wrong.

0 dmw010 over 6 years ago

Based on the responses so far:

1. Some, but not all, 1030 users report significant battery drain and/or incorrect display of battery % in temperatures around 15F and lower.

2. This behavior has occurred with firmware version 7.0 and the previous firmware version.

3. Units may continue functioning even with battery displaying 0% (at least two of us saw this).

4. The battery drain (whether actual or reported) accelerates as the temperature drops.

So, is this a "problem" or just the expected behavior in these temperatures (and the people with unaffected units are just lucky)?

0 brian416 over 6 years ago

I would say problem. I've had zero issues with mine in cold weather until the 7.0 update, it was fine all.last winter and this winter until updating. Something has changed since then to cause a massive battery drain in the cold.

0 russm3086 over 6 years ago

Based on the responses so far:

1. Some, but not all, 1030 users report significant battery drain and/or incorrect display of battery % in temperatures around 15F and lower.

2. This behavior has occurred with firmware version 7.0 and the previous firmware version.

3. Units may continue functioning even with battery displaying 0% (at least two of us saw this).

4. The battery drain (whether actual or reported) accelerates as the temperature drops.

So, is this a "problem" or just the expected behavior in these temperatures (and the people with unaffected units are just lucky)?

Hello, I think that is about right. There is a measurable battery drain since version 7.0. With lower temperatures this exacerbates the issue especially if the battery is older or has a few cold winters. The best approach I think to have a way that a user could change the battery. Or an external battery that will accommodate the Varia headlight and is all season.

0 TexasChip over 6 years ago

Not as dramatic as others above, but I too experienced faster battery drain on firmware 7.0 in cold weather. Normally I would get about 15 hours with the Garmin Varia RTL510 Radar on in warmer weather, but on Saturday I rode in 22-30F (-5 to -1C) windchill and got a low battery warning (9%) after only 10 hours. Lucky me I had an external battery for help. Not sure if this is expected behavior for batteries in cold conditions, or abnormal Edge battery drain.