Magic Mouse & Duracell Batteries.

crosstownk · 16-09-2013 08:27PM #1

I did a (very quick) search and nothing came up so here goes.

I got a low battery warning for my iMac's Magic Mouse yesterday. As per usual I didn't change the batteries immediately as I can usually get a few more weeks out of them.

Tonight, the mouse pointed and clicked but wouldn't scroll so I decided to change the batteries.

I replaced the Energisers with Duracell Ultra Powers that were in the drawer.

The mouse was dead - no green light.

After a bit of google I followed a few troubleshooting ideas but no luck. So I put back in the Energiser batteries and it worked. I swapped the Duracels for the Energisers a few times and each time the Duracells would not work.

I've checked the Duracells with a voltmeter and in other equipment and they work fine.

Looking at the mouse and batteries, it looks like the positive terminals of the Duracells may not be long enough to make contact.

I am I imagining things or has this been witnessed before?

silvine · 16-09-2013 08:35PM

Batteries come in standard sizes and the Magic Mouse takes AA batteries.

Perhaps you have AAA batteries? Or perhaps the battery terminals on your Magic Mouse were pushed inwards, away from the battery. This happened to me and I had to push them back out with a pin.

Type 17 · 16-09-2013 08:44PM

I had that issue with some batteries in another device (can't remember, but not an Apple mouse), try a small ball of tinfoil with the Duracells and see how it goes.

PS: I also noticed that some (older) rechargeable batteries don't work with the Magic Mouse, but that's not really your issue, but I thought that I"d mention it...

crosstownk · 16-09-2013 08:50PM

silvine wrote: »

Batteries come in standard sizes and the Magic Mouse takes AA batteries.

Yes - I know. That's why I thought it weird. The Energisers work, the Duracells don't. It's that simple. Why? I don't know.

silvine wrote: »

Perhaps you have AAA batteries?

Good basic diagnostics by ensuring to eliminate all possibilities but I'm using AA.

I might try Type 17's suggestion and use the tin foil to extend the contact.

I'll report back in a few minutes.

crosstownk · 16-09-2013 09:09PM

OK - I tried the tinfoil and it worked. Then I swapped batteries and neither would work.

However, when I force each set of batteries forward both work fine. It looks like it may be problem with a weak battery spring. The positive connections seem to have some give in them too.

It's all probably a result of the kids being a bit 'enthusiastic' when using the mouse.

Thanks for your assistance.

Type 17 · 16-09-2013 09:28PM

Good stuff.

An interesting point about the MM is that both batteries fit in the same direction, which is so that you can use only one battery at a time, if you find the mouse too heavy with two in it.
If you find the battery life very short, you should check if both batteries are making contact, as you could be only running on one if the springs/contacts are suspect.

donutheadhomer · 19-09-2013 10:53AM

crosstownk wrote: »

Yes - I know. That's why I thought it weird. The Energisers work, the Duracells don't. It's that simple. Why? I don't know.

Good basic diagnostics by ensuring to eliminate all possibilities but I'm using AA.

I might try Type 17's suggestion and use the tin foil to extend the contact.

I'll report back in a few minutes.

I have 5 different brands of AA batteries here and they are not all exactly the same width/length. I think perhaps there is a large tolerence in the AA rating - perhaps it is a power rating and not an exact size rating

Magic Mouse & Duracell Batteries.

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