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I have a thermostat (Siemens REV200) which runs on 2 AA batteries. I've put in 2 brand new (A brand) batteries but the device keeps showing me low battery power signals. How do electronics usually measure battery life?

I was thinking of connecting a power supply to it which exceeds 3 volts or 2 amp. Would this be a solution?

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Check out an example AA battery datasheet: ww2.duracell.com/media/en-US/pdf/gtcl/Product_Data_Sheet/… Under "Constant Current", you can see how the battery voltage drops over time at different loads. Typically the device will measure the battery voltage and convert (using a rough approximation) to a percentage. \$\endgroup\$
    – jpwr
    Commented Feb 18, 2016 at 14:47
  • \$\begingroup\$ In many devices it's a simple voltage measurement, which can be fooled if the battery chemistry isn't what the designer expected. \$\endgroup\$
    – user16324
    Commented Feb 18, 2016 at 14:47
  • \$\begingroup\$ Maybe the battery contacts are corroded, clean them up using a pencil eraser. \$\endgroup\$
    – Bimpelrekkie
    Commented Feb 18, 2016 at 14:49
  • \$\begingroup\$ @FakeMoustache I already tried with contact spray, but the device is brand new and the contacts were clean already. Also the voltage of the batteries seemed normal. \$\endgroup\$
    – Mehdi Nellen
    Commented Feb 18, 2016 at 15:22
  • \$\begingroup\$ Then I think this thermostat is broken, send it back to Siemens ! \$\endgroup\$
    – Bimpelrekkie
    Commented Feb 18, 2016 at 15:27

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Typically low battery (for primary- aka non-rechargeable) batteries or cells is indicated when the voltage (preferably under load) drops below a set threshold.

Replacing primary alkaline cells with a different type such as NiMH rechargeable cells can result in a 'low battery' indication because the cell chemistry is quite different, resulting in a lower voltage- 1.2V vs. 1.5V in that particular case- even for freshly charged batteries.

We have no way of knowing whether attaching an external power supply could cause any damage- if the thermostat has problems replacing it or repairing it would probably be a better course of action.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ The device is brand new, and the alkine batteries as well (Duracel), I've measured the voltage and it slightly exceeds 1.5v. Too bad I can not provide you with any circuitry information (it is not provided by Siemens) \$\endgroup\$
    – Mehdi Nellen
    Commented Feb 18, 2016 at 15:19
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    \$\begingroup\$ Any chance it got wet or leaking batteries corroded or left residue on the PCB? \$\endgroup\$
    – Spehro 'speff' Pefhany
    Commented Feb 18, 2016 at 15:22
  • \$\begingroup\$ no, contacts seem to have no resistance till the first components on the pcb. Quite enigmatic, thanks for your suggestions any way. \$\endgroup\$
    – Mehdi Nellen
    Commented Feb 18, 2016 at 15:42

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