Wireless controller voltage requirement?

Fr33w4y 5 0 · Nov 26, 2015

what is the required voltage output needed from the batteries for the controller to function optimally?

Also what is the voltage output of the battery pack for the play and charge kit?

:)

GRM AceMan87 · Nov 26, 2015

Xbox One Controller Sync Fix

This is a fix I discovered that is not included in the Xbox Support Article, "Troubleshoot your Xbox One Wireless Controller". Sometimes using
a power-strip to power your Xbox One can cause the wireless-controller NOT to sync with the Xbox One. A potential fix for this issue is to just plug the Xbox One console directly into the wall power-outlet and don't use a power-strip. Once the Xbox One is
plugged directly into the wall you should be able to now sync your wireless-controller. This fix should be added to Microsoft Support but until then hopefully people will find my article.

PS: The Xbox One (any version) has a built in surge protector, so the use of a power strip is not only unnecessary but can cause general console performance issues (like speed, Bluetooth sync) due to voltage throttling and interference.

A Blue Illusion · Nov 26, 2015

The lack of controller options is appalling.

I never did like the fact that controller vibration wasn't done like on the 360. The ability to disable it should be a global setting on the console. I haven't had a 'standard' <a.k.a. 'non rechargeable' battery in a controller since the OG Xbox. rechargeable
batteries are the only way to go IMO.

On the rechargeable aspect.

i got a cheap set of 2300mAH batterys so 2 of them gives the controller a total of 4600mAH to drain from

@SteveV. Just as a FYI, 2 2300mah batteries won't give you 4600mah, unless they're in parallel. I highly doubt that is the case with the controller.

It's more likely the controller requires a 3v source. Therefore, the 2 AA batteries need to be in series to get the required 3v. Voltage sources in series add voltage, but not
capacity. Voltage sources in parallel add capacity, but not voltage.

BTW, don't take that as a shot at you or anything. You don't strike me as the type that would anyways. It just happens to be a subject I have some knowledge on... not to mention
one that can, and often does, easily cause confusion.

Skeeter Quill · Nov 26, 2015

Hi buddy,

As with most things like this nowadays, I'm pretty sure the controller will have it's own converter inside that'll convert whatever input voltage it gets it will optimise itself. I remember building such a thing when I was studying electronics that no matter
what voltage you put in it would give a constant voltage out. So long as you stick within a certain range. I remember having to maintain a perfect 5V in order for the particular oscillator I was using oscillated at exactly 1 Hz. The problem was, the 5V DC
transformer I was using gave anywhere between 4.5 and 5.5V So I built this little thing out of capacitors and diodes that would give a steady 5V all the time. Can't precisely remember what they called that particular little circuit though or precisely how
it worked. I just remember that there is such a thing, it's cheap as chips, and not that difficult to manufacture. So I'd be very surprised if the Xbox Controller doesn't have something similar in it.

I use rechargeable AA's which are 1.2V each and the standard disposable 1.5V AA's work equally as well. I'm pretty sure the controller will have it's own regulator that will probably step the voltage to various amounts for all the different components within
the controller so as long as you're between those two (2.4-3V) I'm sure you'll be ok.

I am curious though as to why you are asking...

Fr33w4y 5 0 · Oct 31, 2018

Thanks Sn1p3r, that makes sense. I bring it up because of the recommendation by support not to use regular rechargeable aa batteries but regular alkaline aa batteries are ok. One of the differences I noticed was the voltage as you mentioned (1.2v for rechargeable
and 1.5v for alkaline). I'm curious if the lower voltage from the rechargeable aa's is contributing to many peoples controllers disconnecting, including my own.

I also wanted to compare the voltage of the play and charge kit to regular aa's and rechargeable aa's. Energizer also has a licsensed charging stand/kit with a battery pack to compare.

Why are regular rechargeable aa's not recommended but these other rechargeable options are? Of course for the play and charge kit it's just so Microsoft can make their money instead of a third party - or is there a technical aspect to it?

support.xbox.com/.../wireless-controller-rechargeable-batteries

Fr33w4y 5 0

Thanks Sn1p3r, that makes sense. I bring it up because of the recommendation by support not to use regular rechargeable aa batteries but regular alkaline aa batteries are ok. One of the differences I noticed was the voltage as you mentioned (1.2v for rechargeable
and 1.5v for alkaline). I'm curious if the lower voltage from the rechargeable aa's is contributing to many peoples controllers disconnecting, including my own.

I also wanted to compare the voltage of the play and charge kit to regular aa's and rechargeable aa's. Energizer also has a licsensed charging stand/kit with a battery pack to compare.

Why are regular rechargeable aa's not recommended but these other rechargeable options are? Of course for the play and charge kit it's just so Microsoft can make their money instead of a third party - or is there a technical aspect to it?

support.xbox.com/.../wireless-controller-rechargeable-batteries

Skeeter Quill

Hi buddy,

As with most things like this nowadays, I'm pretty sure the controller will have it's own converter inside that'll convert whatever input voltage it gets it will optimise itself. I remember building such a thing when I was studying electronics that no matter
what voltage you put in it would give a constant voltage out. So long as you stick within a certain range. I remember having to maintain a perfect 5V in order for the particular oscillator I was using oscillated at exactly 1 Hz. The problem was, the 5V DC
transformer I was using gave anywhere between 4.5 and 5.5V So I built this little thing out of capacitors and diodes that would give a steady 5V all the time. Can't precisely remember what they called that particular little circuit though or precisely how
it worked. I just remember that there is such a thing, it's cheap as chips, and not that difficult to manufacture. So I'd be very surprised if the Xbox Controller doesn't have something similar in it.

I use rechargeable AA's which are 1.2V each and the standard disposable 1.5V AA's work equally as well. I'm pretty sure the controller will have it's own regulator that will probably step the voltage to various amounts for all the different components within
the controller so as long as you're between those two (2.4-3V) I'm sure you'll be ok.

I am curious though as to why you are asking...

John P_14

Hi and thanks for reaching out. I hope you’re doing well. I'm an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user like you and I'll be happy to help you.

I understand you have a query about Xbox controllers. Xbox wireless controllers are designed to operate within a specific voltage range to ensure their proper functioning. However, if you accidentally insert batteries that exceed the required voltage, it is possible that it may cause damage to the controller.

The Xbox wireless controller does have some protection features in place, including short-circuit protection, over-current protection, and over-temperature protection. However, it is unclear if it has an overvoltage protection feature.

ArminatorX

What do you mean the controller works with the "batteries out"?

If you are using rechargeable batteries, be aware that rechargeable batteries have less Volts than disposable batteries (which is not really a problem).

However, when rechargeable batteries get older, the Voltage drops more when they discharge with use, while disposable batteries hold the Voltage more constant, and only at the very end the voltage drops sharply before they die.

So it might be that in the short time you use the controller with rechargeable batteries, the controller hasn't got enough power to power it's wireless radio properly.

Please try the following:

Remove your batteries and connect a USB charging cable to the controller. Plug the controller into an USB power plug or powerbank (not an actual device like a PC or console), to power the controller.

Does the controller work wireless when connected to a powerbank or USB power plug?

A Blue Illusion

I never did like the fact that controller vibration wasn't done like on the 360. The ability to disable it should be a global setting on the console. I haven't had a 'standard' <a.k.a. 'non rechargeable' battery in a controller since the OG Xbox. rechargeable
batteries are the only way to go IMO.

On the rechargeable aspect.

i got a cheap set of 2300mAH batterys so 2 of them gives the controller a total of 4600mAH to drain from

@SteveV. Just as a FYI, 2 2300mah batteries won't give you 4600mah, unless they're in parallel. I highly doubt that is the case with the controller.

It's more likely the controller requires a 3v source. Therefore, the 2 AA batteries need to be in series to get the required 3v. Voltage sources in series add voltage, but not
capacity. Voltage sources in parallel add capacity, but not voltage.

BTW, don't take that as a shot at you or anything. You don't strike me as the type that would anyways. It just happens to be a subject I have some knowledge on... not to mention
one that can, and often does, easily cause confusion.

Wireless controller voltage requirement?