Fully dead PS3 controller battery?

[Dreakon139]

Okay, so it's been about a year since I had a PS3. I've just been sitting on my one controller because I wanted to sell it on eBay (it was practically brand new, since it was one I only got for when people came over).

I'm trying to charge it now to make sure it works before I list it on eBay.

When I plug the controller in, it works fine. It looks like its charging for a minute or two, then stops. If I unplug it, it won't even turn on. If I plug it in and press the middle button (to see the battery level)... it's just a "-".

Does this mean the battery is dead? I'm surprised if so. Like I said, it was never really used even when I had a PS3 and it's been a year since I've done anything with it. Do the batteries just die over time on their own, completely?

Thanks for any info!

[BeautifulTorment]

I still have my controller from the original release of the PS3 and the battery works okay. It feels as if the battery doesn't last as long as it did before, but I've not seen the '-' you mention. I also have a few other controllers that I've got along the way and haven't had any issues like what you mentioned.

Although, obviously you aren't making this up. It sounds like what you're describing indicates the battery is totally dead. Just haven't heard of it happening before.

[RHGSniperFox]

It's possible the battery is dead. Rechargeable batteries have a set number of "charges" to them [it's why they say not to charge it before the battery is fully drained - you just waste one of the charges if you do. Turning the system off/on with the controller connected to the charging cable starts a charge as well.]. Once they're used up - that's it. It's time to either buy a new controller, or try to replace the battery yourself.

However - it could also be your USB cable. I've had my controller do the same thing at one point with an old USB cable I had that was slightly damaged - it would charge, but when I unplugged it - it would stay on, but the battery indicator on screen just said "-". I finally found another USB cable I could use and tried it out, and it started working normally again.

So, if you can, try another cable [More than one, preferably] - if it STILL doesn't work, then yeah, the battery is probably dead.

Edited December 3, 2012 by Fox

[Death]

Sounds like you can just sell it for parts.

[Pipsqweek]

I bought a USB expansion block so I have 5 ports instead of just 2 and if I try to charge a controller through that I get the 'dash' instead of the charging animation. As soon as I plugged the cable directly into the PS3, it started to charge.

[Nasty_Rory]

the guidance with the move controllers and some other PS3 controllers said to charge them at least once every 12 months or the battery would die. This could be what happened to yours Dreakon

[Brenden]

I had the '-' before, my controller wasn't charging with that particular USB cable (it was the one I got with my controller) however I changed to a different cable (off an old phone) and it worked fine.

[Dreakon139]

Thanks guys, it's very possible that it's a wonky cable. I know I've had a few similar cables lying around and I may have picked up a crappy one.

I'll see if I can dig up a different one and give it a shot tonight.