Recharging Issues

[GamerSince'76]

I got my Play and Charge kit with my Halo 3 console just under two months ago. At first the battery pack was lasting a long time. Now it seems like every 5 hours or so of gameplay, I'm recharging it. Is that normal? Or is it time to buy a new battery pack? Thoughts?

EDIT: I spoke to MS support. I have to mail in my Play and Charge Kit and MS will replace it for free. It shouldn't be too expensive to just mail it in a padded envelope. That's good service IMHO.

BTW, at first they tried telling me not to use the controller while I'm charging it. I politely mentioned that the product is called a "Play and Charge" kit. The rep put me on hold and came back with a reference number. lol.

[Yannie Boy]

I had the same issue when I first got my console, I too called MS but they were trying to blame the fact onto my local BestBuy, where I purchased my console but I had to mention that it was a MS product not a BestBuy product, then they gave me a reference number to send it in as well.

[GamerSince'76]

I had the same issue when I first got my console, I too called MS but they were trying to blame the fact onto my local BestBuy, where I purchased my console but I had to mention that it was a MS product not a BestBuy product, then they gave me a reference number to send it in as well.

I'm going to send in the entire Play and Charge kit not just the battery. Sound right?

[Yannie Boy]

I'm going to send in the entire Play and Charge kit not just the battery. Sound right?

Yeah. Are they sending you a pre-paid package as well, sort of like the ones for the console but smaller?

[GamerSince'76]

Yeah. Are they sending you a pre-paid package as well, sort of like the ones for the console but smaller?

I asked and they said I have to mail it in. Shouldn't cost me more than $5 as it weighs practically nothing. I'm going to put in in a small padded envelope. It would be $25 CDN if I replaced the whole Play and Charge kit.

[Yannie Boy]

I guess I was fortunate enough to get a Pre-Paid package. Either way, best of luck to you. Hopefully MS will be able to resolve your issue without messing up anything else.

[GamerSince'76]

I guess I was fortunate enough to get a Pre-Paid package. Either way, best of luck to you. Hopefully MS will be able to resolve your issue without messing up anything else.

It should be OK. I'll get the envelope insured in case Canada post loses it. I may even send it registered as well. Still cheaper than having to buy a new one. Maybe in Canada they do't send pre-paid packages for accessories.

[GamerSince'76]

Cost of sending in a $20 Play and Charge Kit: Postage $12.29, padded envelope $1.50
Owning a PS3 controller with built in battery: Priceless

[HaZarD SFD-XBA]

Owning a controller that when you cant recharge the battery a replacement is $29 and not $59.. Priceless.

[GamerSince'76]

Owning a controller that when you cant recharge the battery a replacement is $29 and not $59.. Priceless.

True and no rumble. I'm just a bit ticked that MS wouldn't send me a prepaid box. :moody:

[HaZarD SFD-XBA]

True and no rumble. I'm just a bit ticked that MS wouldn't send me a prepaid box. :moody:

Yeah that sucks.. but think of it this way.. its a small price to pay.. and how
many others do they do this too.

[Not Yellow]

I would imagine it would be like most other rechargable batteries?

So, dont charge it until it is completely dead...like a lap-top, or it can kill the battery.

[GamerSince'76]

I would imagine it would be like most other rechargable batteries?

So, dont charge it until it is completely dead...like a lap-top, or it can kill the battery.

I always waited until the controller ring flashed. When I get my new battery I'll wait until it has no juice left and see if that makes a difference.

The repair centre already has the package and I just mailed it two days ago (I have a tracking number). Now it's just a matter of MS mailing one back to me. I say 10 days.

[Ainokeatoo-XBA]

I always waited until the controller ring flashed. When I get my new battery I'll wait until it has no juice left and see if that makes a difference.

The repair centre already has the package and I just mailed it two days ago (I have a tracking number). Now it's just a matter of MS mailing one back to me. I say 10 days.

That's when you get the actual battery packs that you can just take off put on it's stand and have that charge while you take the other batter pack off the stand and continue playing... Batteries just became to much of a hassle for me to remember to charge or even figure out which side goes in where -_-

[l Maximus l]

Fortunately, my set-up allows me to sit right next to my console...I have a wireless controller that came with my 360, but, I bought a wired controller for a back-up. I use my wired controller all of the time. Like I said, I'm right next to my console...less than 3 feet in fact, so, it works out. Obviously, I haven't had issues personally.

I hope everything works out for you, brother 76!

[GamerSince'76]

I mailed my Play and Charge Kit on November 13th. From Canada to Canada. I call tonight (Dec 1st) to check the status....not received!!!

Luckily knowing how bad MS Customer Service can be, I mailed it with a tracking number and a signature required. Long story short I have to call tomorrow for an update. I guess they can't say they didn't get it now.

[GamerSince'76]

An update:

Since it's been 3 weeks since I sent in my Play and Charge kit I called again tonight after I was told that the system is updating earlier today.

Spoke to a rep (John) that was really good. He actually seemed to care. He passed me along to a supervisor that said he is going to get this "straightened out" and "send it up the line".

I told him I have been very patient and even waited two weeks before even calling to check the status. The supervisor let me choose either a Play and Charge kit in white (on top of the new one I'm getting) or 1 of 4 games for free. I took PGR3 since my controller uses the black charge kit. Neither the Play and Charge kit nor the game come in retail packaging but it's great that MS realizes that this took too long and is giving me a free game for my troubles.

[Ainokeatoo-XBA]

Tch, yeah, a free old game that hardly anyone plays and you could pick up in those recycling bins at wal-mart called the discount bin. :) but all in all at least you got something.

[GamerSince'76]

Tch, yeah, a free old game that hardly anyone plays and you could pick up in those recycling bins at wal-mart called the discount bin. :) but all in all at least you got something.

If they would have offered me a choice between PGR3 and PGR4, I would have picked PGR3. IMHO having motorcycles racing alongside of cars ruins the game so I'm happy with what I'm getting.

[GamerSince'76]

After waiting ONE MONTH, the repair sent me the Play & Charge kit. My controller uses the Black one since it's the controller that came with the Halo 3 console.

They sent me a White one. Now I could pay another $15 to ship it back hoping they send me a Black one but I'm off to the store to buy a Black one and return the White one for a refund.

Honestly, it doesn't pay to do the right thing. There is no way I'm going to pay $30 postage for a $30 product. The people at the repair center in Don Mills, Ontario is IDIOTS. :cuss::cuss::cuss:

[GamerSince'76]

Shoot the bill says "Play & Charge Kit BLK" so I called MS and they are sending me (hopefully) a Black one within (they say) a week and a half. Then I'll take the Black one and return it.

Inerestingly, I get passed along to Supervisor that immediately asks me if I have "flames, sparks or smoke" coming out of my console and if so to unplug it immediately. I tell him that I have other problems but luckily none of the ones he mentioned. He says the Rep transferred me to a Super fast line for people that have those problems.

I tell my buddy the story, he's a PS3 fanboy and he asks me if I regret getting rid of the PS3. I tell him that uncharted: Drakes Fortune and R:FoM are the only two good exclusive PS3 games that the PS3 has had within a year and they have to do better than that. I also told him that Halo 3 was worth getting a 360 over.

EDIT: Forgot to mention when I went ballistic and smashed the White Play & Charge kit on the carpeting, it didn't break so I smashed it on the kitchen floor. When the battery pack split open I opened it up to find 2 Sanyo AA rechargeable batteries. The good news is they are 2100 ni-mh which is a long life rating. Good stuff MS now just send me the right color.

[Variation-XBA]

On that note 76; Uncharted is alright, but pretty short and doesn't really have any replay to it. Ratchet I was never a fan of, so Im still waiting for a reason to purchase one.

[GamerSince'76]

On that note 76; Uncharted is alright, but pretty short and doesn't really have any replay to it. Ratchet I was never a fan of, so Im still waiting for a reason to purchase one.

I had R:FoM, nowhere near as good as Gears (I'm at the end where I have to kill RAAM. I will play every night until I kill that sucker. All I have is 4 grenades and the sniper rifle). As for Uncharted, doesn't look like a system seller. Motorstorm was shallow and Lair was trash. The 360 has it's problems but great games isn't one of them.