Warning regarding Sena batteries

[dbaucum]

Sena does not offer battery replacement. I know there are videos on how to replace with a different battery and change out the connectors, but many people do not feel they have the ability to accomplish that. I cannot imagine a manufacturer not offering plug and play battery replacements.

[PaladinLV]

Would you like me to start listing the 100's of products that DO NOT offer "plug and play battery replacement?!?"

I cannot imagine a manufacturer not offering plug and play battery replacements.

[SpyderAnn01]

I have used Senas since 2014 and have never had a battery issue.

[ARtraveler]

Likewise. Still have the same batteries on my original set. Bought them 2013 ish.

[WisconsinDavid]

Ditto... 4th year with same battery and no loss of efficiency. And... when it happens, there are videos that will help me replace a battery (if I want to or want to move on at that point to something newer). Try changing the battery in many cell phones... its a nightmare... or a GPS unit... or.... From the video I viewed the process to replace in the Sena I own is not that hard a task. But... you are right in this... it would be nice if they would make the battery easier to replace in future products.

[pegasus1300]

If I remember right Apple doesn't offer replacement batteries for some of it's products either. I am on my 4th year with my Senas and they are going strong.

[Arion]

If you're interested in changing batteries but don't feel comfortable I believe Finless Bob will change them if you send him your communicators, new batteries, and $$ for postage. Seem to recall reading that somewhere on the forum not long ago.

[Lew L]

The aftermarket sells a replacement for the Sena units. The one I purchased had a connector made of soft cheese and I had to solder the wires.

Lew l

[2dogs]

Still going strong on the same battery in my Sena 20s since 2014. Finless Bob is a great resource.

[UtahPete]

Sena does not offer battery replacement. I know there are videos on how to replace with a different battery and change out the connectors, but many people do not feel they have the ability to accomplish that. I cannot imagine a manufacturer not offering plug and play battery replacements.

Do you need to replace yours? How old is it?

[robhowen]

I replaced one of my batteries on a 20S following a video and it was not a difficult job at all.
Rob

[billythekidd]

I bought my Sena 20s in 2014 and last year when it was cold out... below 40 degrees the Sena would just work and then shut off. When it was warm there were no problems. I contacted Sena and they said that the battery was old. I bought a new 20s EVO to replace it. It would have been nice to have a "plug and play" option as the unit was still good.. but...... And yes there are lots of manufactures that do not have that option... doesn't make it right. Apple does come to mind, but they are just greedy and hope you will buy something new. (apparently Sena does as well).

[UtahPete]

I bought my Sena 20s in 2014 and last year when it was cold out... below 40 degrees the Sena would just work and then shut off. When it was warm there were no problems. I contacted Sena and they said that the battery was old. I bought a new 20s EVO to replace it. It would have been nice to have a "plug and play" option as the unit was still good.. but...... And yes there are lots of manufactures that do not have that option... doesn't make it right. Apple does come to mind, but they are just greedy and hope you will buy something new. (apparently Sena does as well).

Corporations aren't people and don't have human attributes.

[JayBros]

IMO, the biggest enemy to Sena battery life, at least on the SMH10, is too frequent charging when there is still plenty of charge in the battery; it gets a signature that shortens its performance life. I charge my SMH10 daily ONLY when on a long tour. All other times I just run it until I get the ,"Low battery, goodbye" warning. Before my most recent tour I just left it on unattended until it shut off by itself and then fully charged it the day before my departure. My SMH10 has been performing well for 4+ years.

[Deanna777]

If you're interested in changing batteries but don't feel comfortable I believe Finless Bob will change them if you send him your communicators, new batteries, and $$ for postage. Seem to recall reading that somewhere on the forum not long ago.

Yes Finless Bob will do that. I asked.

Deanna

[billybovine]

IMO, the biggest enemy to Sena battery life, at least on the SMH10, is too frequent charging when there is still plenty of charge in the battery; it gets a signature that shortens its performance life. I charge my SMH10 daily ONLY when on a long tour. All other times I just run it until I get the ,"Low battery, goodbye" warning. Before my most recent tour I just left it on unattended until it shut off by itself and then fully charged it the day before my departure. My SMH10 has been performing well for 4+ years.

That does not apply to lithium batteries like what are in a Sena. That was a characteristic of Nicad batteries. My Sena SHM10 headset is plugged in and charged almost everytime I use it. Most of the time it stays plugged in until I need it next. I bought the unit in 2012. No sign the battery is going bad yet.

[fatboy]

utah corporations are people and yes they do have feelings and care

[JayBros]

That does not apply to lithium batteries like what are in a Sena. That was a characteristic of Nicad batteries. My Sena SHM10 headset is plugged in and charged almost everytime I use it. Most of the time it stays plugged in until I need it next. I bought the unit in 2012. No sign the battery is going bad yet.

Sena replaced my first SMH10 under warranty after about a half a year of use because the battery life dropped drastically even though the user's manual said it could be recharged and recharged, "many hundreds of times" and I routinely recharged it after every use. Maybe is doesn't develop a signature but since it's long out of warranty I just let it run down until it automatically shuts off.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The Battery University recommends discharging to only about 50% and then recharge. Once the battery is at 100% don't leave it plugged. Don't put a heavy load on it when it is hot. Heat is a big killer of Lion batteries. Discharge the battery completely every once in awhile, like maybe once a month for a regularly used battery. This lets the internal electronics recalibrate the time to full discharge.

One reason manufacturers don't make batteries replaceable is the proliferation of counterfeit batteries. An after market, cheap imitation of the original, may actually be dangerous.

[2dogs]

I didn't realize Sena used Lithium Ion batteries in their head seats. Just recently there was a house fire near by caused by a Lithium Ion battery left charging on a work bench in the garage. Don't know anymore specifics, however the local TV news interviewed one of the fire officials who strongly cautioned the use and charging of Lithium Ion batteries. Apparently they are blamed for a number of home fires.

[EdMat]

I didn't realize Sena used Lithium Ion batteries in their head seats. Just recently there was a house fire near by caused by a Lithium Ion battery left charging on a work bench in the garage. Don't know anymore specifics, however the local TV news interviewed one of the fire officials who strongly cautioned the use and charging of Lithium Ion batteries. Apparently they are blamed for a number of home fires.

It's almost impossible to buy anything that is battery driven today that does not use some type LIon or LIpo battery. Yes, they can under certain conditions erupt in flame, But, so can your TV, microwave, stove, dishwasher, heater, lawn mover, gas can, etc. That's why we were given common sense........ if we choose to use it. Also why fire extinguishers and insurance were invented.

[UtahPete]

I didn't realize Sena used Lithium Ion batteries in their head seats. Just recently there was a house fire near by caused by a Lithium Ion battery left charging on a work bench in the garage. Don't know anymore specifics, however the local TV news interviewed one of the fire officials who strongly cautioned the use and charging of Lithium Ion batteries. Apparently they are blamed for a number of home fires.

Deleted

[2dogs]

Yep. I recall years back when cell phones in the far east were setting fires and luckily they were not allowed for import to the US. I don't remember the brand or the models but glad someone was on top of it before they were distributed here. Sometime ago I had a Skill brand battery powered drill. I remember it getting hot enough during charging I could smell it and it was warm to the touch. That made the trash in short order. Had to go in a special trash.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Don't know anymore specifics, however the local TV news interviewed one of the fire officials who strongly cautioned the use and charging of Lithium Ion batteries. Apparently they are blamed for a number of home fires.

Tell your local fire official "Don't recharge your smart phone then. Strictly a one-time use device..."

Pete, surely you're not being serious are you? All the fire official was trying to convey is be sensible in using and charging Lion batteries. Don't use the wrong charger, don't leave them plugged in unless the charger is smart enough to not charge when the battery is at 100%, and so on and so forth. Lion batteries are safe until they are mistreated.

[UtahPete]

Pete, surely you're not being serious are you? All the fire official was trying to convey is be sensible in using and charging Lion batteries. Don't use the wrong charger, don't leave them plugged in unless the charger is smart enough to not charge when the battery is at 100%, and so on and so forth. Lion batteries are safe until they are mistreated.

No, I was not being serious. Facetious perhaps.