TABLE OF CONTENTS
Issue
Your Stages Power meter is requiring frequent battery changes.
Explanation
The Stages Power meter's battery life is estimated at 150-200 hours. The power meter is motion activated and will broadcast regardless of whether a head unit is present and connected to the power meter and will also continue to stay in active mode for several minutes after the crank stops moving before entering into sleep mode, so please keep this in mind when estimating battery usage as your riding time may not be equal to the amount of time the power meter was broadcasting.
Certain power meter features can also slightly lessen the expected battery life of your power meter, such as being a part of a left/right set or using the gyroscope feature.
Before troubleshooting
There are several steps we recommend to ensure you're getting the best usage out of your Stages Power meter and to help remedy or diagnose short battery life issues. Please check out the following related support topics to make sure your power
Check power meter firmware
We recommend checking for updates on your power meter regularly, as with each update we improve and/or add features to optimize the power meter. Update your power meter using the Stages Cycling app.
Download:
Stages Cycling app for Android
For information on how to manage your power meter in the Stages Cycling app, see: Manage your Stages Power meter in the Stages Cycling app.
Troubleshooting
Check if any of the below situations apply to your power meter and could be causing battery drain.
Power meter storage conditions
Cold temperatures can reduce the voltage from lithium batteries. If you are receiving low battery warnings at the start of rides in very cold temperatures, it's likely that the battery is simply too cold and the voltage will rebound once the battery warms back up.
Additionally, combined with damp conditions, condensation can result in moisture within the power meter unit. We have seen shortened battery life from power meters that are stored in cold and damp locations. If you are seeing decreased battery life during the winter season, we suggest storing your bike in a warmer location if possible or removing the battery when the power meter is not in use.
Check the battery door and o-ring
We recommend inspecting your battery door and o-ring to make sure the battery is protected from water intrusion. For tips on removing the door, see our video on changing the battery right here.
All left-side Stages power meters have an o-ring that is pressed into the groove around the battery compartment that compresses upon installation of the battery cover. Note that earlier units use black o-rings that are not easy to spot. The color and size of the o-ring will depend on which generation power meter you own. If the door is broken or o-ring is missing, you may experience battery drain, power loss to the unit that causes connection drop outs, and other issues.
- Gen 1: Black, red, or green o-rings are possible. We recommend using our latest green o-ring if possible.
- Gen 2: Blue or yellow o-rings are possible. These are identical, just different colors.
- Gen 3: All gen 3 left power meters use a yellow o-ring. These are interchangeable with gen 2 o-rings. Right-side road power meters and SB20 power meters use an integrated gasket on the cover and will not have an o-ring.
- Right side: Right-side power meters use an integrated gasket and do not have an o-ring. For right-side battery doors, inspect the door and the power meter housing for damage that may affect the seal.
If you discover your battery door is broken or o-ring is missing or damaged, see: Which battery cover or o-ring do I need for my power meter?
Check for water intrusion
If you have noticed that your door is broken after riding in the rain or noticed any water, rust, or corrosion within the power meter, please create a new support ticket with Stages Cycling.
Water inside the battery compartment will cause a short and drain batteries quickly, but it is possible that it is not too late to dry out your power meter and continue using it with a new battery door and o-ring installed to prevent future ingress. If any rust or corrosion is present, it can be very carefully removed with isopropyl alcohol (note: 99% isopropyl is best as rubbing alcohol is mixed with water). If removing corrosion with a q-tip or similar item, be extremely careful to not damage the battery terminals inside the unit.
Check battery type
Your Stages Power meter uses a CR2032 battery, which is commonly available for most major battery manufacturers. There are several similar sizes you need to be aware of in order to ensure you've installed the correct battery into your power meter. Using a CR2025 or CR2016 may power the unit, but result in several problems such as frequent low battery warnings, loss of power to the unit, etc.
If you have recently changed the battery and begun experiencing issues, it may be worth opening up the battery compartment to verify that the correct battery has been installed. See our video here: How to replace the battery in a Stages Power meter.
LR2032 batteries
We do not recommend the use of rechargeable 2032s in our power meters at this time. CR2032 batteries typically have a max voltage of 3.3 V, while their rechargeable counterparts max out at 4.2 V. This can overload the voltage regulator on the power meter's circuit board and cause potential issues with the operation of the power meter or damage to the circuit board.
Still need help?
For additional help, please open up a support ticket with Stages Cycling or visit your nearest Stages Cycling dealer for assistance.