FOBO tire pressure monitoring system report..

[Chuckk_imp]

. I'm thinking, based on the refresh rate my phone receives, it sends out periodic.. I have waited 30 seconds or so at times to get a response on my phone's fobo display when filling my tires.. so what happens when the phone connects with the sensor? what happens to the sensors battery consumption? does it go up ? thanks for the input G.O.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I don't know the underlying implementation, however, each wireless message transaction costs the device some battery capacity. The more frequent, the more energy consumed. Device listening (if applicable) is not so expensive in terms of power, but when it sends out data, your button battery (s) take a hit.

During connection establishment between the phone and the device, there is an exchange of information. I am assuming the link is probably not encrypted (i.e. nothing secret about tire pressure), so device power consumption should be minimal.

Maybe the FOBO communication is just one way? Would you happen to know if you can configure anything inside the FOBO from within your phone app? Would you know if the devices are Bluetooth enabled?

[Chuckk_imp]

tough questions fo me to answer G.O. .. it seems there must be a back and forth.. between sensor and app.. when that happens, more power is used from the sensor.. thats the only thing I can think of that would cause the 3 month lifespan of the sensors battery.. unless I had a sour battery in my front wheel !! .. in the past, when my app allowed me to use the "only when app is turned on" my batteries lasted 7 months if I recall .. back then, they weren't able to talk to each other when I was close to the bike.. (100 ft) I'm guessing.. now the fobo2 app has more features.. that might play a part.. gps is on it now, but that would come from my phone's battery .. I have another email that should be answered tonight.. we will see what Hazwan has to say.. unfortunately I am not asking the right questions.. now my hopes are for a sour battery.. we will see how long my rear sensor lasts..

[GoldOxide_imp]

It is definitely possible one button battery can be substandard. I have had that a few times.

[Lord Popgun]

GO, the FOBO site says it is Bluetooth 5.0. Here is a link to the FOBO Bike 2 model: https://my-fobo.com/Product/FM2410

[GoldOxide_imp]

Right on popgun. So that means energy will be spent in two-way communications, and always listening, even if the paired phone is not around. Not a lot, but the radio will come on periodically. I suspect maybe Chuck had a weaker button battery? The other remote possibility is the one FOBO device has a bug in its firmware where at some point it got into a state for awhile (e.g. several hours) where it could not put its bluetooth radio into a power save mode. Just some guesses. Firmware bugs are quite common in consumer devices.

[Chuckk_imp]

thanks guys.. I really appreciate your input.. one more thing to consider is, I am using the original fobo sensors that came with my original fobo bike, as they call the first generation.. then I was told by mr. fobo, I can utilize the fobo 2 app and keep my original sensors.. so that is what I am running.. also, I do have another 2 or 3 original sensors that I had on my trike.. so if I have a faulty sensor, I could trade it out.. maybe wait and see how long my other sensor's battery lasts.. time isn't a problem.. mr. fobo didn't return yesterday's email
the new fobo 2 sensors are smaller and are still supposed to last about a year.. they take smaller batteries..

[Chuckk_imp]

well, my FOBO battery problem has reared it's ugly head once more.. this time the battery lasted for less than a month !!.. G.O. suggested it may be a faulty sensor.. I have extras, so I will replace battery and sensor on the front.. the rear sensor is still happy with the battery I installed in it last December..
.

[peterbaron]

Not that I have a cure, ready answer for your problem or I question previous pre-diag by more experienced fellas in this matter...but a few things to consider:
* cheap or poorly design products usually draw more current or normality in your case
* your FOBOs constant communication with your cell means: slow and continuous discharge
* simply said: when the ambient temperature drops , the battery is able to last longer. When the temperature increases, the battery life shortens. I think, California climate delivers these two extremes almost daily, correct?
* before installing a new battery, check its voltage, as well when discarding it
* battery lifespan depends on its quality/manufacture + some other factors
* general rule is: if you buy 2 cheap, you pay twice for it = overpaid vs 1x good quality + no headache

** your FOBOs and batteries are constantly facing centrifugal force, spinning, shaky/twisty roads, brake pads dust falling on them, pistachio load/smell....so no wonder these wander, get brain damage and die prematurely

[Chuckk_imp]

I try to buy the best batteries..
.
you can buy a cheap T.P.M.S. for about $30. the FOBO's run about $100. .. the rear sensor is working fine so far, telling me it is either the battery or the sensor in the front..