Bluetooth mouse battery type

Question

Level 2

178 points

Bluetooth mouse battery type

Does anybody know of any official (Apple) recommendation not to use rechargeable batteries in the wireless mouse?

I have recently been having problems getting my mouse to reconnect with the iMac G5 after the batteries were recharged (required about once a month). I had to restart multiple times before it would connect. Once connected, everything was fine until the mouse was again turned off. I have been using Ni-MH batteries, marked 1.2 volts (although they measure 1.5 when fully charged), the same as in the keyboard - which has been problem-free.

Last time I charged the batteries the mouse wouldn't reconnect at all, and after discussions with Apple Support a new mouse was tried. Same problem! After another lengthy discussion with Apple, I was told that Apple do not recommend rechargeable batteries and I should use standard alkaline ones because of the slightly higher voltage. And I did install alkaline batteries and the mouse now works fine with them (although the first one didn't).

So what is the official position? Is there any Apple article or recommendation on this topic (my original Dec '04 mouse manual says that rechargebale batteries are OK) ? And has anybody else had similar experiences, or are there any particular types of rechargeables that are better than others?

I really don't want to join the legions of users who seem to be taking out mortgages to keep their mice in single-use batteries!!

iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Feb 24, 2006 6:28 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 24, 2006 8:36 PM in response to Paul Fryer

I am almost sure that mine came with the Energizer Lithium batteries which are rated at 1.5v and 2900 mAh. I no longer use them since they are expensive and don't seem to last as long as rechargables.

I do not know if there is an "official" Apple position on the batteries, but I have used Energizer rechargables as well as "el cheapo" single use with no ill effects. The only problem I have ever seen is that even with newly charged batteries, the indicator will only show an 80% charge, but I suppose that is due to the 1.2v rating on the batteries I use.

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Answer 2

Feb 24, 2006 9:37 PM in response to Paul Fryer

Hello Paul:

Welcome to Apple discussions.

The official Apple position on batteries is found in this knowledge base article:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86651

Bottom line, rechargeable batteries are approved by Apple for use in Apple Bluetooth devices. I use rechargeable batteries quite successfully in both the KB and mouse.

Barry

Message was edited by: Barry Hemphill

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Answer 3

Feb 25, 2006 4:01 AM in response to Paul Fryer

Paul-

Greetings.

Just for the informational record, I have had problems with dead BlueTooth things reconnecting to my iMac after battery replacement since the dawn of time of this machine. This isn't just Apple-branded products.

Although it is an annoyance, I always just accepted it as a normal task when I replace my batteries.

Incidentally, sometimes various BT mice and keyboards will spontaneously reconnect on their own, which does kind of freak me out when it works that way.

-DaddyPaycheck

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Answer 4

Paul Fryer Author

Level 2

178 points

Feb 25, 2006 8:24 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

Barry,
thanks for the welcome, and that pointer to the Apple position. And yes, I am using the Apple BT mouse.

But given that position, do you have any idea why my fairly new, quality, freshly-charged Ni-MH batteries will not reconnect when regular alkalines are OK, and why would the Apple technician state that rechargeables are not recommended (other than that it agrees with my experience) ? It's obviously related to the fact that the rechargeables measure 1.3 volts where the alkalines measure 1.5, but is the mouse operation that marginal? And if the mouse isn't marginal, is it likely that I have some faulty hardware (although two different Apple mice have shown the same problem) ?

Ni-MH batteries are no problem in the keyboard.

iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

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Answer 5

Feb 25, 2006 9:18 AM in response to Paul Fryer

Paul, this is not official, but I used to have problems on and off with my Mac and BT when I was still using Panther. After upgrading to Tiger the day it was released - I like to live on the edge! - I have not seen any BT issues at all.

The 1.3v vs 1.5v would not have an effect at all on the connection. Like I said, I am using Energeizer rechargables rated a 1.2v and have no problems.

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Answer 6

Feb 25, 2006 9:31 AM in response to Paul Fryer

I had this same problem as well. The solution I found was when you take out the old batteries wait about 3~5 minutes before you put in the recharged batteries. I have two sets that I swap out. If I did this, then there was no problem with bluetooth connecting. It would usually not connect automatically, I'd have to use the keyboard to access the bluetooth utility but there would be no problem setting up the mouse again. If I immediately tried to connect the mouse without waiting the 3~5 minutes, it would never connect.

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Answer 7

Paul Fryer Author

Level 2

178 points

Feb 25, 2006 3:12 PM in response to Barry Lee Reynolds

I usually take out the batteries and recharge them overnight, then put them back in the next morning, so I always give it lots of time.

However, I am interested in using the Bluetooth utility to set up the mouse again, but how do you get to it if you only have the keyboard? I would be interested in the keystroke sequence you have to use, given that the mouse is dead.

Thanks for your suggestions.

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Answer 8

Paul Fryer Author

Level 2

178 points

Feb 25, 2006 3:24 PM in response to Eric Kracinski

Thanks.

Given the range of experiences on this, it may be that there is some marginality somewhere, and that I am on the wrong side. Since I have replaced the mouse, the next obvious thing is something inside the computer. But since the BT KB is working fine, it's not obvious what.

The thought behind upgrading to Tiger is an intriguing one however . . . . I wonder if any other correspondents have any experience on this?

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Answer 9

Paul Fryer Author

Level 2

178 points

Dec 27, 2008 6:31 PM in response to Paul Fryer

Just closing out this unanswered question. I purchased a different manufacture of rechargeable AA batteries (Duracell, rather than Sanyo), and they read somewhere between 0.05 and 0.1 volt higher when charged. Problem solved, but it does indicate that the mouse is marginal.

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