Flir claims 3 year battery life is reasonable - Is it? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: AndersJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2018, 06:34:40 pm
content: My Flir One started having battery problems about 6 months after the purchase.It slowly degraded and eventually stopped working and now it cannot be charged.The degrade started within the 2 year european warranty period.To still use it, I kept the charger connected while I used it.Not convenient, but doable.When not in use, it was disconnected from the charger.Now it won’t work at all, not even with the charger connected.Flir admits that the camera failed during the warranty period,but since the warranty has now expired they refuse to replace it.They claim that a 3 year battery life is what can be expected from this Flir product.Is it reasonable that a expensive product from a reputable company like Flirhas a lifetime less than 3 years, especially after very few hours of use?I believe they should replace the camera.Am I asking too much?

author: TheUnnamedNewbie
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2018, 07:09:40 pm
content: I am in now way an expert on the legal mess around warranty in Europe, however, from what I understand:- The 2 year European warranty is for the person who sold you the product, and not the manufacturer.- Batteries do not fall under this. I seem to recall that they only need to have 80% of original capacity after 6 months. Very uncertain about this one though.- When a problem occurs, you need to contact the store within 14 days (don't know if that is just days or workdays). After that, they are no longer required to offer you warranty.- The store is not allowed to forward you to the manufacturer for any warranty issues (I've been bitten by this when I was younger and ignorant, and as a result didn't claim my warranty...)In other words, unless you purchased it from Flir, Flir doesn't actually have to replace it. The store does.Also, if you continue using it after the failure occurred none of the parties involved have to replace it.

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2018, 07:28:21 pm
content: Batteries are excluded only if you can replace them yourself.

author: AndersJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2018, 09:19:59 pm
content: The batteries cannot be replaced by the end user.The camera was purchased directly from Flir in Belgium.They have the order number.The problems surfaced within the warranty period.My mistake was to wait until after the warranty period to report it,thinking/hoping it was only a battery issue,and charging it often would work, which it did, for a few months.In my opinion Flir has a arrogant attitude, and they should treat their customers better.After this experience I will definitely think twice before purhasing or recommending a Flir product.

author: John Heath
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2018, 10:19:56 pm
content: If you google "Flir camera" you will see lots of security cameras. If you google "Flir camera battery problem" all you see is hand held cameras. Hmm , the internet knows all and it appears you are not the first to have Flir battery problems. Which Flir camera model is it?

author: AndersJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2018, 05:17:42 am
content: John,it is a Flir One, second generation camera.

author: AndersJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2018, 05:51:18 am
content: After reading the thread suggested by cleaningOutit seems most posters agree that the Flir Oneis not well designed and not well produced either.Considering that background,I’m surprised and disappointed that Flir has such a non helpful attitude,and believe many disappointed Flir customers, myself included,will consider other brands next time.

author: John Heath
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2018, 08:07:20 pm
content: When I googled flir gen 2 lithium battery it took me right bad eevblog group! Fraser had the same problem March 2017 and it looks like he fixed it. Check it out.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/flir-one-gen2-failure-investigation-by-fraser/