Root CyanogenMod - Battery Drains Quickly, Charges Very Slowly

[Brian Rubin]

Hey y'all, how are you? I'm writing because I just flashed my first ROM, Cyanogen, and it's causing an odd issue with my battery. First, the battery drains very, very quickly, even after rebooting, and charges very, very slowly when plugged in. It took three hours, for example, to charge from 71 to 82 percent, which is seemingly slower than when I was using the base ROM. Also, another weird thing is that the phone doesn't remain charged if I pick it up while plugged in, so I'm worried the charging port might be problematic. I also noticed Android System is using 51% of the battery, which seems odd.

Any thoughts on what might be causing this and what I can do to fix it? Thanks!

 

[wrapkgb]

It seems like you are most likely have a wake lock issue. It has been an on going issue lately with CM. As far as the slow charging, that ia odd. The main thing I have noticed since being on CM is how fast it charges. Now back to the wake lock... Open spare parts and click battery history. Then select other usage and choose parial wake uasage. If you see big blue bars, then thats going to be whats casuing your problem. For instance my wake lock for the android system is 9m 14s and my phone has been unplugged for 6h 43m 4s. And my battery is at 61%. I little lower than normal but I have been palying wordfeud big time today lol.

So if you are having wake lock issue's did you do a fresh install, meaning wiping data, cache amd dalvik prior to flashing?

Also are you using the stock kernel?

 

[wrapkgb]

I have also heard flashing toast's .35 test kernel has fixed the wake lock issue. You can find the thread and download here: [Kernel] 2.6.35 toastcfh's repo - CyanogenMod Forum

Or you can try the new SBC CM kernel which now adds trickle charging (should be a game changer in the kenels).. I have heard good things with this kernel!! You can find it here: [KERNEL][AOSP&SENSE] - Superior Battery Charging. Update: 12/21/10! - xda-developers (second post, SBC for New CM kernel!!)

I have personally used toast's kernel and it was great! I will be flashing the SBC kernel later. And Im not sure why my texted has chaged colors. lol

 

[Brian Rubin]

Yes, stock kernel, never flashed a kernel. How does one do it?

 

[Brian Rubin]

So I would get the "SBC for New CM kernel!!" file?

 

[wrapkgb]

Here is the direct link for the SBC CM kernel: xda-developers

You flash a kernel that same as a rom, but you just need to wipe cache and dalvik. Heres a simple walk through:

Put the kernel onto the sd card. Power the phone off. Power back on holding volume down and power at the same time. Once hboot loads, select recovery. Once recovery loads wipe cache and dalvik. (dalvik is located under advanced in clockwork). Once both are wiped (i personally wipe both twice) select install from sd card and let it install. When done, reboot. Note it will take longer than usual to boot because thats whats happens when you wipe cache and dalvik.

 

[Brian Rubin]

K, just did all that and it's rebooting now. I hope that fixes my one problem.

Might you be able to help with the other problem, though? The USB dropdown menu seems to have disappeared when my EVO is plugged into my PC, so I can't change it to disk drive mode, for example.

 

[wrapkgb]

Hmmm... I have not heard of that before. Does usb debugging show up?

 

[Brian Rubin]

No it doesn't.

 

[wrapkgb]

Did usb debugging come up before as well?

 

[Brian Rubin]

Yes, on Sense, it did come up.

 

[wrapkgb]

Ok go into settings>applications>development and is usb debugging checked? If not check it and see if it comes up when plugged into the pc.

 

[link00seven]

I'm thinking about flashing the SBC CM kernel...never flashed a kernel before. Anything I should know before doing this? Has anyone used this kernel yet and can confirm that it helps with the battery life and fixes the "I lose 10% right when I unplug the phone in the morning WTF!" problem?

EDIT: Should probably mention that I'm using CM6.1.1 right now and for kernel...just whatever it comes with.

 

[Brian Rubin]

Ok go into settings>applications>development and is usb debugging checked? If not check it and see if it comes up when plugged into the pc.

USB Debugging is checked, as is USB debugging notify. I don't see such a notification in the status bar, though.

 

[wrapkgb]

I'm thinking about flashing the SBC CM kernel...never flashed a kernel before. Anything I should know before doing this? Has anyone used this kernel yet and can confirm that it helps with the battery life and fixes the "I lose 10% right when I unplug the phone in the morning WTF!" problem?

EDIT: Should probably mention that I'm using CM6.1.1 right now and for kernel...just whatever it comes with.

I flashed it a few hours ago and then immediately put the phone on the charger. I let it sit for about 45min after it reached 100%. It has not been off of the charger for almost an hour and I'm still at 100%. Incredible!

 

[wrapkgb]

USB Debugging is checked, as is USB debugging notify. I don't see such a notification in the status bar, though.

Were you having the usb issue before flashing this kernel? If not try restarting the phone.

 

[link00seven]

I flashed it a few hours ago and then immediately put the phone on the charger. I let it sit for about 45min after it reached 100%. It has not been off of the charger for almost an hour and I'm still at 100%. Incredible!

That's sweet man! Did you just flash the SBC for New CM Kernel or did you have to flash that and then the newest build number that he places in the post right above that one? I'll probably give this a shot right now - 'long as I make a backup I can always go back to the stock CM6 kernel (...riiight?)

 

[wrapkgb]

That's sweet man! Did you just flash the SBC for New CM Kernel or did you have to flash that and then the newest build number that he places in the post right above that one? I'll probably give this a shot right now - 'long as I make a backup I can always go back to the stock CM6 kernel (...riiight?)

Yea I just flashed the SBC CM kernel. Its the second one. Keep this in mind, the only change from this kernel to the stock CM6.1.1 kernel is that changes to the way it charges. You shouldn't see any other changes. Now as far as reverting back, you have two options. Restore a nand or reflash CM6.1.1 without wiping data. (only cache and dalvik.) Either way.

 

[link00seven]

Cool - I'll go ahead and give this a shot. Thanks for your help.

 

[wrapkgb]

No problem!

 

[Brian Rubin]

K, this is really weird. In the past 30-40 minutes, my phone has been charging, and it's only gone from 71% to 72%.

 

[link00seven]

Did your kernel version in Settings change? Mine says 2.6.35.9-cyanogenmod lcastillo@ubuntu #1

I'm not sure if thats what it normally says...I didn't look before I flashed this. I think that it applied it though, we'll see after a full charge.

 

[wrapkgb]

Did your kernel version in Settings change? Mine says 2.6.35.9-cyanogenmod lcastillo@ubuntu #1

I'm not sure if thats what it normally says...I didn't look before I flashed this. I think that it applied it though, we'll see after a full charge.

Yes that is what it should say.