Surge Battery - intermittent issue

[tinkster]

Hi, 

Sunday evening last week I fully charged my surge, then went on holiday Monday morning.  My surge normally lasts six to seven days, but on the holiday it gave up the ghost around lunchtime on Wednesday, which makes it less then three days.

The only difference between normal use and being on that vacation was that

a) there was no cell-phone/internet coverage, so I couldn't sync, and

b) that I took the surge off when I went swimming/boogie-boarding.

Can someone explain to me what it died? Having come back Friday night I charged it, and it seems to last normally again ... (it's been ~ 2.5 days since the last charge, and it shows ~ 80% battery).

I'm quite annoyed because I lost (didn't record)  ~ 70K steps after it went down. I know that because my Suunto Ambit3 also records steps these days.

Cheers

Andrej

[LanuzaFitbit]

Hey there @tinkster!

From what you're describing, it is making me think that perhaps a GPS activity was activated at some point. The GPS consumes a lot of the tracker's battery. Was there any chance that someone took your Fitbit and could mistakenly activate and activity like that? 

Alternatively, the temperature could've been a factor. Was it too hot during the time that you were in the water?

Look forward to your reply. If none of those could've be the cause, let me know.

[tinkster]

Hi Lanuza,

Thanks for the suggestion, but no, no GPS use whatsoever (not in a very long time, and in part for that very reason. Also the Surge's GPS is far less accurate than that on my Suunto). Looking at the activities recorded during that period of time clearly shows NO GPS recordings.

Re the temperature: the daily highs for the period were between 14 and 18 Celsius (57 - 64 F). I don't think that's a contributing factor.

In my initial post I forgot to mention that (given the circumstance of no cell/internet in the area) I put my phone in flight mode.  But as my FB isn't set for quick view or all-day sync I didn't think that was a factor, either.  I'm still very puzzled.  It's now been 3.5 days since the last charge, and it shows 50%, which is what I expect from it. Most peculiar.

Cheers

[LanuzaFitbit]

Thanks for reaching back @tinkster!

The battery for the Surge should last up to 7 days, so from what you said it seems to be working properly now.

Perhaps it was a one time occurrence. My suggestion in this case would be to take a closer look at the situation for some time in case it happens again. Let's try to continue normal usage and if the battery happens to loose battery, please let me know.

If you have any further questions, please let me know.

[tinkster]

Hi Lanuza,

I'll definitely be watching it; and I'd still like to understand what caused this. I'm sure there will be more adventures ahead of me where there's no technology around and/or opportunity not to wear the FB due to water exposure.

Wondering if anyone ever made similar observations, too.

Cheers

[LanuzaFitbit]

Hey @tinkster! 

I absolutely understand the desire to know why it happened. I haven't, personally, known of other instances in which this happened. The only thing I could think about would be the ones I asked you about. 

I'm sorry if my response is not really satisfying. If I do find any details on why this could happen, I'll be sure to let you know.

Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have.

[tinkster]

And it happened again this weekend. Fully charged Surge on Wednesday evening, went away from home Friday, didn't sync Saturday morning, and Sunday night around 4am the battery was flat.

I didn't record any activities or change settings .... 

It usually lasts me a full seven days, occasionally even eight.

Most frustrating to not have a full day of hiking recorded.

[LanuzaFitbit]

Hello @tinkster. 

That must be very frustrating, I'm sorry to hear that it happened. Please keep an eye on your email's inbox. You should be receiving an email soon in regards to the situation.

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.