With firmware version 2.70 and above, RACE RESULT decoders introduce a new approach to battery management and monitoring. The battery type selection has been removed, and battery capacity is now measured automatically during a complete charge and discharge cycle. This article explains the new behavior, available menu options, and best practices for accurate runtime estimation.

Automatic Battery Calibration

Under the new firmware, the decoder no longer asks for the battery type. Instead, the decoder performs a self-calibration the first time it experiences a full charge followed by a complete discharge. This allows the device to estimate battery capacity and remaining runtime based on real-world usage.

System Menu Options

Use this option only after replacing the internal battery. It resets the stored battery information, triggering a new calibration.
This does not happen automatically during a factory reset or firmware upgrade.

If a future firmware version introduces a new battery info format, it will automatically delete outdated data and start fresh.

Displays the following details:

Date of last recording
Battery capacity	Watt hours (Wh)  Ampere hours (Ah)	Typical capacity values: 150–200 Wh 9–12 Ah If the decoder detects less than 70 Wh, it will show a battery warning popup at startup.
Voltage range during the recorded discharge cycle	Starts typically at 12.7–14V Ends typically between 10.8V and 11V
Estimated runtime	Based on the current usage mode (Passive or Active) Depends on decoder version and reader

 

Battery Display on Screen

The decoder always shows the current battery voltage right on the main screen, so you can quickly check its status at a glance.
While charging, you'll also see:

• The power source (either AC or EXT)
• A percentage estimate for the charge level
  Note: this percentage is just a rough guess based on voltage — it's not tied to any previously recorded battery info.

While discharging, what’s shown depends on whether the battery has been calibrated:

• If no battery info has been recorded yet, you'll just see the voltage.
• If the decoder has completed a full charge/discharge cycle, you’ll see one of the following:
  • "EST" – the system is estimating remaining runtime (usually takes about a minute);
  • The estimated remaining time in hours;
  • "LOW" – the battery is almost empty.

Note that if something changes the system load — for example, enabling Upload or Timing — the decoder might briefly go back to "EST" as it recalculates. It usually takes about 5 minutes to stabilize and show an accurate new estimate.

Best Practices for Accurate Estimation

To get the most reliable battery runtime estimates, it's best to let the decoder go through a full charge and discharge cycle. Start by charging it completely, then leave it running under normal operating conditions — ideally with a passive antenna connected and mobile upload enabled, if you usually use that feature. Just let the decoder run until it shuts itself down. While it's operating, it automatically gathers battery data in the background, and if enough information has been collected, it'll save that data when you shut it down.

Accessing Battery Info via RR12 or TCP

In RACE RESULT 12, hovering over the battery icon will show the relevant information — the current charge level, estimated remaining runtime, and detailed battery info.

If you're using external tools or want to integrate monitoring into your own system, the same battery data is also available through the TCP interface.