Stages Power Meter Battery Life

[msngr]

I am only getting 3-4, sometimes less, days per battery change for my Stages. Yes, I ride a lot, but not that much. Not only is this annoying and affects my training, but it costs $7 a pop for those 2032s! So I am spending $7-14 per week into my power meter, and the whole point of Stages for me was a cheap alternative.

Does anyone else have this issue, or so you think there is something wrong with my meter?

[parallelfish]

Every three to four months here, doing about 250 miles a week.

[John H.]

Start a ticket with Stages.
Don't settle for less than them agreeing to take it back to check.

I have a Stages as a backup for my SRM.

I have been using it lately because the battery died on my cross bike.

The Stages sucks- it is so inaccurate. Average power and kj for a ride might be somewhat accurate, but the second by second power is terrible.
It would be really hard to use a Stages to train to a specific power number.

When I installed my Stages 2 weeks ago I started with a brand new battery- I also put an extra battery in my saddle bag.

I am not impressed with the Stages.

[bpiecuch]

Definitely something wrong. Even at 50 mpw, I haven't changed mine in over a year. Contact Stages.

[false_Aest]

battery life is inversely proportionate to how hard you're working. Take that number and multiply it by 3 then divide by how much you're being overcharged for those batteries.

Once you get that number call Stages and talk to them.

[stien]

They should warranty it for you if youre the original owner. We sent two arms back twice for this issue and on the third new set I sold them and broke even (got them on sale, then they upgraded us to new DA).

But yeah, if you like the format then get a Pioneer left side. Theyre great.

[dton]

Sounds like a hardware/software issue. Mine doesn't get the stated 200hrs but its roughly around there ~150hrs

Get that fixed first, then Amazon is your friend: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008XBK7PG/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1Y8T7VP3CLAQT&colid=1HT2L8P9BHNTU

[DavidC]

Same thing happened to me. I contacted them, they sent me out a brand new one, and I returned the problem crank in that shipping container. They were very quick about it.

Be prepared: they will want to verify you have the most recent firmware, and that you're using brand name batteries.

Also, buy the batteries on Amazon or eBay. They shouldn't be costing you more than 50¢ each.

[73Bronco]

Good to hear they seem to take care of it but it seems to be more than an isolated issue. I've been eyeballing a used one but this has me concerned.

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[kramnnim]

Good to hear they seem to take care of it but it seems to be more than an isolated issue. I've been eyeballing a used one but this has me concerned.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

Get a second gen pod and you'll be much less likely to have problems.

Arrow.com for cheap 2032 batteries that aren't useless fakes like the ones from ebay/amazon

[woodworker]

Do you have the campy, shimano or something else? I just purchased the campy unit when it came out--around two months ago. I had the same problem and went through the whole evaluation process, and they agreed to exchange for a new one. I've now had that one for a month, and it does the same thing: three or four rides and the battery is gone. The first time around, they thought that it was from the unit not turning off after use, but I've been checking that, and it seems to turn off ok, I think.

Also, what head unit are you using? I'm using an Edge 520. I do wonder whether the Edge unit keeps the Stages unit running, although I'm careful to recharge the Edge unit in a room some distance away.

In any event, I put a new battery in the Stages unit and will give it another try--and if that doesn't work, I'll be back to customer service again.

[DavidC]

Also, what head unit are you using? I'm using an Edge 520. I do wonder whether the Edge unit keeps the Stages unit running, although I'm careful to recharge the Edge unit in a room some distance away.


Stages -> Edge 520 is a one way street. The edge doesn't send any information to the Stages via ANT+. (Bluetooth is a different story, that's why you can update the crank's firmware via the app.)

Also, FWIW, after you plug in the Edge 520 to charge, you can power it down. It'll keep charging.

I agree, contact Stages again.

[shoota]

I’m willing to bet you have a first gen model huh? Grey door? Mine did that too. Basically it’s just not going to sleep when you stop riding it. An easy test is To put your bike away after a ride, don’t touch it for a good while, then use the Stages app on your phone to see if the app sees it. It shouldn’t. If it does then it’s not going to sleep. Stages is really good about handling this problem.
The general concensus is that it’s the crappy battery door that isn’t keeping the battery in good contact with the pod internals. I’ve had good luck with taking a nickel and placing it on top of the battery door and taping it on there as tight as possible. This creates enough pressure on the door to hold the battery in place.

[msngr]

Thanks. all. Good stuff here.

The meter is 2 years old, so I hope Stages does the right thing. Shimano, btw.

And, yes, I have been buying the batteries in bulk, but it is hard to keep an extra on me all the time, so I have probably bought 10-20 batteries at bodegas on the fly -I am a bike messenger and Coach needs to keep track of all my kJ.

I cannot say I have been thrilled with the meter in general. But at the time of purchase, it was the most economical option -needed one for road bike (and to frequently switch from road working bike to trainer bike) and one for fixed gear (and need to frequently switch from fixed gear working bike to track racing bike).

[Bwana]

https://www.amazon.com/SkoTeRy-CR2032-Lithium-Battery-230mAh/dp/B01MATFBRH

$12 for 50 batteries. :beer:

[shovelhd]

Pretty well known issue. They will make you jump through a few hoops but they should replace it for you if a full reset doesn't fix it. (Full reset, turn the battery around, hold for 30 seconds, reinstall the battery).

[73Bronco]

Get a second gen pod and you'll be much less likely to have problems.

Arrow.com for cheap 2032 batteries that aren't useless fakes like the ones from ebay/amazonThanks, good thing the one I've bern looking at us az Gen 2

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[weiwentg]

Start a ticket with Stages.
Don't settle for less than them agreeing to take it back to check.

I have a Stages as a backup for my SRM.

...

Just getting on my soapbox here. This reply is not directed at the OP or at John H.

When Stages says send your left crankarm or your crankset back to us, what is the rider expected to do in the interim? Are we supposed to have the original left crankarm in the drawer? Do Stages retailers keep spare left 105 crankarms as loaners? What do the Campy guys do, seeing as it won't really be economical for most retailers to stock a bunch of left Chorus arms?

I mean, good for the guy who has the Stages as a backup to his SRM, but training with power is really gosh darn expensive before we have to start worrying about the reliability of the units.

[shovelhd]

I had a spare, non-power crank (SRAM Apex, about $100) to keep both bikes running.

[shoota]

Thanks. all. Good stuff here.

The meter is 2 years old, so I hope Stages does the right thing. Shimano, btw.

And, yes, I have been buying the batteries in bulk, but it is hard to keep an extra on me all the time, so I have probably bought 10-20 batteries at bodegas on the fly -I am a bike messenger and Coach needs to keep track of all my kJ.

I cannot say I have been thrilled with the meter in general. But at the time of purchase, it was the most economical option -needed one for road bike (and to frequently switch from road working bike to trainer bike) and one for fixed gear (and need to frequently switch from fixed gear working bike to track racing bike).

Sounds like you should have gone with a wheel-base Powertap. That's a lot of switching around.

[DavidC]

Just getting on my soapbox here. This reply is not directed at the OP or at John H.



When Stages says send your left crankarm or your crankset back to us, what is the rider expected to do in the interim? Are we supposed to have the original left crankarm in the drawer? Do Stages retailers keep spare left 105 crankarms as loaners? What do the Campy guys do, seeing as it won't really be economical for most retailers to stock a bunch of left Chorus arms?



I mean, good for the guy who has the Stages as a backup to his SRM, but training with power is really gosh darn expensive before we have to start worrying about the reliability of the units.


Stages sends you a new one BEFORE they make you send one back. They have us covered! :)

[DavidC]

Sounds like you should have gone with a wheel-base Powertap. That's a lot of switching around.



I'd argue it's significantly faster to switch a crank with just a pedal to remove than a wheel with a tire and cassette to deal with. (And of course a road wheel can't be used on a track bike.)

[shoota]

I'd argue it's significantly faster to switch a crank with just a pedal to remove than a wheel with a tire and cassette to deal with. (And of course a road wheel can't be used on a track bike.)

Good point on the track bike, didn't think of that.

[benb]

I'd argue it's significantly faster to switch a crank with just a pedal to remove than a wheel with a tire and cassette to deal with. (And of course a road wheel can't be used on a track bike.)

Yah but less risk of slicing your hands open on the chainrings when you're changing out the wheel/cassette. :rolleyes: (Done that a few times changing cranks)

I have 2 Stages, both are fine on battery life I've changed them maybe once each.. got them both in 2016. One did fail, they covered it under the warranty without much trouble.

I do wonder about the 1 leg accuracy from time to time, but then figure if it's good enough for some of the Pros it's good enough for me. I don't really find it too hard to ride a steady power output with the Stages.. if it's jumping around so much I'd wonder if it's from power variances from leg to leg.

[weiwentg]

Stages sends you a new one BEFORE they make you send one back. They have us covered! :)

Phew!

[Jeffie]

I have been having the same issue with mine: Install new battery. Works great for a few days then dies. Check battery with volt meter and it shows dead. Install new battery and it works fine. Repeat.

I opened a help ticket with Stages 2 days ago. They had me verify I was using the latest firmware, and send them a few pictures. It did appear mine would go into sleep mode so I'm not exactly sure why the battery is being drained.

They are sending out a replacement. It was pretty painless. Hope the new one works as intended.

[73Bronco]

I have been having the same issue with mine: Install new battery. Works great for a few days then dies. Check battery with volt meter and it shows dead. Install new battery and it works fine. Repeat.

I opened a help ticket with Stages 2 days ago. They had me verify I was using the latest firmware, and send them a few pictures. It did appear mine would go into sleep mode so I'm not exactly sure why the battery is being drained.

They are sending out a replacement. It was pretty painless. Hope the new one works as intended.Is yours a gen 1 or 2? Just curious.

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[Jeffie]

Gen 2, bought it brand new in Feb of this year. Seems to have had this issue right out of the box. Just getting around to resolving it now as it's not on my primary bike.

[73Bronco]

Gen 2, bought it brand new in Feb of this year. Seems to have had this issue right out of the box. Just getting around to resolving it now as it's not on my primary bike.Hmmm, that's makes buying used a potentially risky proposition. Better start saving my pennies.

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[chiasticon]

notorious problem that won't go away for them, despite numerous revisions of the battery door (that all look exactly the same) and now the pod itself. the solution is to sell it and buy something else that works. apparently the pioneer ones are good, if you like the format.

for reference, when I sold my stages I bought a power2max. that was november of 2015. have put about 10k miles on it since then. just changed the battery for the second time.

[msngr]

Thanks, all! Ticket started.
Probs going to stick it out with Stages for a while, considering my budget.

[xvxax]

Stages customer service is great, I've used them twice. Love my stages but I understand there are better options out there for more dough.

[stien]

Get in tight with a bike shop and you can get a Pioneer left for the same $$.

[Bob Ross]

Also, buy the batteries on Amazon or eBay. They shouldn't be costing you more than 50¢ each.

fwiw, I buy CR2032 batteries in 100-packs from Digi-Key, comes to $0.24/each.

[msngr]

Update: I sent the meter back to Stages and they are fixing it up.

I had already done the same with another meter, and I got the same response "It costs $200, but we will see about getting it done for you for free." and then they do it free. Seems like they know they have an issue, but instead of overtly admitting it, they just pretend to extend you a favor each time to keep people happy.

[benb]

They definitely had issues, seems like by mid last year most of the issues had been worked out, hopefully they just give you a newer one.

The battery life thing is funny. The CR2032 device that drives me nuts is the Korg clip-on guitar tuners I have. You use them for 1 minute or less each time you use them, if I use them every day I end up having to replace the battery every 2-3 months. So like 60-90 minutes.

That is horrifically bad battery life compared to a lot of our bike stuff that uses CR2032. It has a screen, but no wireless stuff like a PM/HRM/whatever.

[Wasatch]

I had this same issue. Spoke with Stages; they had me make sure all firmware was updated first. Second, I switched over to namebrand 2032's instead of generic cheapos. Third, the older Stages meters were notorious for having a terrible seal against water, so any moisture that creeped it could short it out and drain the battery. They sent me a new gasket kit free of charge.

Since I've made those changes, I've had zero battery life issues. Good luck.