Rooting and SetCPU to Save Battery Life

**mscalero** · 09-20-2010, 09:18 AM

Hello,

I have what I think is a fairly striahgt forward question.

I am currently stock FRG22D on my Droid 1. A friend of mine has loaded a custom rom and rooted to a ROM called Frozen Yogurt 1.6, and with SetCPU, he is getting a full 2 days of battery life, with battery to spare.

I'm not really looking for any custom roms per say. I just want to have root access to the stock looking ROM that is FRG22D (Froyo). And I want to hopefully use SetCPU to help extend my battery life.

Is it as easy as this? Or, would I need to install a low voltage kernel (which I don't really even know what that is) in order to help under-clock my device to save battery?

I'd also like to not have to re-install all my apps after rooting. I have rooted on 2.1 Update1 before, and I ran a stock rooted 2.1 rom, I tried to use SetCPU on it, but it frankly didn't seem to be helping my battery life at all.

Any advice is appreciated.

**takeshi** · 09-21-2010, 08:20 AM

Usage is the biggest factor affecting battery life. I'd suggest starting there to see what's eating up your battery. SetCPU certainly helps but there's no single and simple cure-all for battery life. A low voltage kernel will also help if your Droid runs well with one.

**mscalero** · 09-21-2010, 08:39 AM

Thanks for getting back to me.

I'm not sure where or how I can retrieve a low voltage kernel, and how to install it really, but it's something I would consider if I decide to root.

However on the unrooted usage side: Display, Phone Idle, and Cell Standby are my big killers. However there are also a few more...

1. Media Server

2. Android System:
CPU total: 23m 51s
CPU Foreground: 21s
Data Sent: 131KB
Data Recieved: 611KB
vpn
net location
settings storage
account sync settings
google backup transport
settings
pgm system
android sys

3. Android OS:
cpu total - 11m 20s
Data Sent: 81.47 kb
Data received - 2.14mb

Is there any (safe) way I can turn these down more, so they do not consume battery?

M

**sirlancelot323** · 09-22-2010, 07:03 AM

Cell standby has to do with your Droid looking for a signal. If you're in a weak signal area, it's going to be searching. As for display, if you can, turn the brightness down. The display sucks a TON of juice.

Also, download Spare Parts from the market. They have a more detailed battery history; when you click battery history, chose 'partial wake usage'. What programs are at the top of the list?

Sent from my Sapphire'd Droid using Tapatalk

**mscalero** · 09-22-2010, 09:26 AM

I have checked out Spare Parts before, I'll check it out again.

Just to draw more back story, I usually get about 16-24 hours or so in a charge.

I run eBuddy for a few hours a day (maybe 2-3)
I listen to the music player (MP3's) for about 2 hours or so during my work commute.

The Media player or "media server" does seem to suck alot of juice. I don't know why though, my old Blackberry would play MP3's and it wouldn't suck much at all. I used to use Pandora on my BB sometimes too, I will barely attempt Pandora on my Droid, because I almost like 20% battery after only 1 hour of Pandora.

I'd ideally like to get a full 24-36 hours out of my phone, even with heavy usage. I know to some that may sound unreasonable, but, is it really?

M

**p08757** · 09-22-2010, 09:55 AM

With minimal use I can get probably 36 hours of use. Thats the max. I'm talking very minimal use, a phone call or 2, and checking and sending a few text messages and emails. The way I see it, as long as I get at least 16 to 18 hours of good solid use out of it, I'm fine.

I figure I have to sleep some time, so when I sleep, I charge my Droid.

**mscalero** · 09-22-2010, 11:02 AM

Yes.

I was just hoping someone would come on this thread that is rooted and is using root level apps or settings that take their battery life to a level that as long as a Blackberry or so.

I've seen pictures on Droid-Life.com of users rooted that had been off the charger for 14 hours and still had 90% battery life.

M