I just got off the phone with Insulet because my son’s PDM was reading error code 4 with multiple strips from different vials, and we were told to take the batteries out and put them back in. That fixed the problem, but then I commented to the woman that my son often has to roll his batteries around to make it work. She told me that Insulet has just done some research and found that people have way fewer problems with the Energizer batteries than Duracell. She said she has no idea why but that they were just told that the research backs it up. I studied the two batteries and it looks like the Energizer might be slightly better designed to stay in place, so we are trying it out. Just thought you all might be interested in Insulet’s latest “discovery.”
Tech support at Insulet told me that they have had less complaints about the Energizer MAX than any other type or brand (last longer and battery life indicator on meter is most accurate). So it is based on complaints–not any specific testing. Also, they told me that the size of the batteries vary a little from one manufacturer to another with the Energizer brand fitting the best in the meter. Other brands may be smaller and not have as good a connection or are bigger and compress the metal leads in the meter so that the next set of batteries you may use wouldn’t fit as well.
There is no doubt in my mind that Duracell batteries are a little smaller. Just this past week I changed the batteries (while away at D camp) with Duracell and the PDM would not even turn on. I only panicked a wee bit because of the discussions about it here. I had another set of Kirkland batteries and we were back in business.
The Duracells are definitely smaller, and using the Energizers makes a difference. I measured them with calipers accurate to 1000/inch, and there was a slight difference in the Duracells. I have had no problem with the Energizers.
I have always used the Energizer batteries (my medical supply company sends them to me) and I can say that they still sometimes need to be turned to work. Also, I got tired of it and insisted they send me a new PDM and this one seems to have trouble keeping the connection if I put it down while it’s communicating. Energizer batteries may be better but they are not a cure-all for the battery problems in our PDM’s.
That happened to me with the new PDM - we complained about the old one, got a new one and it was worse! So we sent back the new one instead of the old one . . .
Unfortunately I didn’t notice it until after I sent the old one back. I’m still trying to work with it.
In fact, I would say the problem is with the design of the PDM not the battery companies. It should be able to handle the minute differences just like other devices do…if this in fact is the real problem. And a lot of people report that lithium batteries work very well in the PDM and last longer but Insulet does not recoomend them because the “battery life” monitoring in the PDM cannot accurately read them.
I have used Rayovac batteries that I purchase for around $8/16 at Menards. I have never had a problem with them. I test approximatey 6-7 times a day; and they’re lasting me at least a month. I’ve only gotten a low battery warning a couple of times in a little over a year and a half. I have used them in both the original and the new PDM with equal success.
Very interesting. I have been using Duracells for about 7 months without a problem. Prior to that I used the ones shipped with the PDM and some lithiums (can’t remember the brand). I never used Energizers. I wonder if switching from the slightly longer Energizers to the slightly shorter Duracells causes the problem. Will we ever know?
This is exactly what the Insulet tech support folks told me. They said that the Duracells (and Rayovac) can be shorter and therefore not make a good contact. They said once you use Energizer, you can’t switch back to the other brands. Still hard to believe the PDM contacts are that sensitive.
We have gone through 2 PDM’s due to it turning itself on and off randomly and have always used Duracell batteries. This time I called they told me to use the Energizer Max batteries. She siad to give it a try and if we have the same problems they will send a new one. Let’s hope for the best!
Can someone remind me - should the preferred batteries for the PDM be alkaline or not? Thanks! I need to buy batteries today…
Well now the “preferred” are specifically Energizer Max, which are alkaline, so I guess the answer is yes?
I have had issues with batteries also. What I have done was use a curled up small paperclip to make a hook and pulled the battery connectors in the PDM out so they are a little longer. Have never had a problem with any battery since.
Yes alkaline and yes Energizer Max. Again, the issue as I was told by an Insulet Tech is that the “battery life” indicator on your PDM may not be accurate for other types of batteries (i.e. lithium) and that the size of other batteries impact reliability.
I found that the plain Energizer batteries always lasted longer the plain Duracells in my OmniPod PDM. The same was true for my Medtronic pump as well. The best are the Energizer Ultimate Lithiums - a four pack of those AAA batteries will go almost six months in my experience.
I still have problems with Energizer Max. The last few days my PDM cycles on and off for no reason ALL THE TIME. However I was told today after talking to a very helpful tech at Insulet that it’s probably the PDM itself. I have to say that - annoying as the last two or three days have been with the PDM randomly turning on and off - it is so nice that they will replace it overnight without any cost to me.
I always used rayovac with my minimed. The batteries(energizer) that came with my PDM only lasted 9 days and since the doctor would not let me keep the manual I changed the batteries and also had to change my pod because I probably did something wrong on the PDM. Sorry about the rant. I went back to rayovac but got the ultra pro. So far it is really snug and after 1 month have used less than 1/3 the battery. I like that they are also less expensive than energizer