Charge Mode Sticks on 'Idle' in OS 3.5.1

rigbyrj commented

2023-10-30 21:15:27 +00:00

Please confirm

I have searched existing issues and found no duplicate
I will fill this out to the best of my ability

Extra details

I am using a custom pt_oc.json file
I am using a custom limits_cache.json file
I have submitted a log through the PowerTools UI

Expected Behaviour

Normal Charge Limit Behaviour

Deck state of charge begins at 70%
Apply charge limit of 75%
Plug in Deck charger
Device charges to 75%, and then charge mode automatically changes to idle.
Whilst left plugged in, battery charge remains at 75%
Unlug Deck charger, and run battery level down to 70%
Plug in Deck charger, device charges to 75%
If Deck is plugged in whilst powered off then device will charge to 100%

Actual Behaviour

Unexpected Charge Limit Behaviour

Deck state of charge begins at 70%
Apply charge limit of 75%
Plug in Deck charger
Device charges to 75%, and then charge mode automatically changes to idle.
Whilst left plugged in, battery charge remains at 75%
Unlug Deck charger, and run battery level down to 70%
Plug in Deck charger, but device remains in 'idle' charge mode. N.B. Battery charge level does not drop, but does not increase either. Charge mode can be forced using Power Tools to 'discharge' with power source connected, and battery level drops, and then charge mode can be forced back to idle, which maintains battery level again, but changing charge mode to 'normal' does not start the device charging.
If Deck is plugged in whilst powered off then system remains in 'idle' charge mode, so battery level is maintained, but will not increase. (Battery bank connects to Deck, but reports 0.0 amps being pulled)
I've found no way within Power Tools settings or Steam OS to re-enable normal charging. In order to get the system to charge the battery again, I have to go into the BIOS, enable Battery Storage mode, and then connect a charger to get it to start. The system will then charge as normal.
Various chargers used, including official Steam Deck charger - All chargers and cables are known good.

Steps To Reproduce

Deck OS 3.5.1 on preview channel installed
Power Tools charge limit set to 75%
Follow steps above (i.e. Charge until limit at 75%, discharge, then reconnect etc, as above).

Anything else?

Please see attached log file.

Version

1.4.0-rls

Platform

SteamDeck

OS

SteamOS 3 (Preview/Beta)

### Please confirm - [ ] I have searched existing issues and found no duplicate - [ ] I will fill this out to the best of my ability ### Extra details - [ ] I am using a custom `pt_oc.json` file - [ ] I am using a custom `limits_cache.json` file - [ ] I have submitted a log through the PowerTools UI ### Expected Behaviour Normal Charge Limit Behaviour - Deck state of charge begins at 70% - Apply charge limit of 75% - Plug in Deck charger - Device charges to 75%, and then charge mode automatically changes to idle. - Whilst left plugged in, battery charge remains at 75% - Unlug Deck charger, and run battery level down to 70% - Plug in Deck charger, device charges to 75% - If Deck is plugged in whilst powered off then device will charge to 100% ### Actual Behaviour Unexpected Charge Limit Behaviour - Deck state of charge begins at 70% - Apply charge limit of 75% - Plug in Deck charger - Device charges to 75%, and then charge mode automatically changes to idle. - Whilst left plugged in, battery charge remains at 75% - Unlug Deck charger, and run battery level down to 70% - Plug in Deck charger, but device remains in 'idle' charge mode. N.B. Battery charge level does not drop, but does not increase either. Charge mode can be forced using Power Tools to 'discharge' with power source connected, and battery level drops, and then charge mode can be forced back to idle, which maintains battery level again, but changing charge mode to 'normal' does not start the device charging. - If Deck is plugged in whilst powered off then system remains in 'idle' charge mode, so battery level is maintained, but will not increase. (Battery bank connects to Deck, but reports 0.0 amps being pulled) - I've found no way within Power Tools settings or Steam OS to re-enable normal charging. In order to get the system to charge the battery again, I have to go into the BIOS, enable Battery Storage mode, and then connect a charger to get it to start. The system will then charge as normal. - Various chargers used, including official Steam Deck charger - All chargers and cables are known good. ### Steps To Reproduce - Deck OS 3.5.1 on preview channel installed - Power Tools charge limit set to 75% - Follow steps above (i.e. Charge until limit at 75%, discharge, then reconnect etc, as above). ### Anything else? Please see attached log file. ### Version 1.4.0-rls ### Platform SteamDeck ### OS SteamOS 3 (Preview/Beta)

powertools.log

45 KiB

rigbyrj added the

bug

label 2023-10-30 21:15:27 +00:00

NGnius commented

2023-10-30 21:31:44 +00:00

Owner

This sounds like a duplicate of #127
Your workaround is an option, though there is another option mentioned in that issue which may be a bit more expedient (if you've got a keyboard connected or SSH enabled).

This sounds like a duplicate of #127 Your workaround is an option, though there is another option mentioned in that issue which may be a bit more expedient (if you've got a keyboard connected or SSH enabled).

rigbyrj commented

2023-10-30 21:40:40 +00:00

Author

Apologies - I did read that issue, but didn't know if it was the same issue I've been having.

Interestingly, I've found that manually setting the charge mode back and forth between 'normal' and 'idle' seems to work fine, so it doesn't appear that there's an issue setting the charge mode to 'normal'.

I don't know what the underlying methodology is for limiting the charge on the current version of Power Tools, but this indicates that having Power Tools set the charge mode to 'normal' when below the system charge limit, and setting it to 'idle' when the system is >=charge limit should work. It's entirely possible this is a silly suggestion though, so apologies if I've misunderstood.

If this is a duplicate, then obviously feel free to close. Thank you for responding so quickly, and for making such a brilliant plugin for proving functionality that valve really should have included themselves.

Apologies - I did read that issue, but didn't know if it was the same issue I've been having. Interestingly, I've found that manually setting the charge mode back and forth between 'normal' and 'idle' seems to work fine, so it doesn't appear that there's an issue setting the charge mode to 'normal'. I don't know what the underlying methodology is for limiting the charge on the current version of Power Tools, but this indicates that having Power Tools set the charge mode to 'normal' when below the system charge limit, and setting it to 'idle' when the system is >=charge limit should work. It's entirely possible this is a silly suggestion though, so apologies if I've misunderstood. If this is a duplicate, then obviously feel free to close. Thank you for responding so quickly, and for making such a brilliant plugin for proving functionality that valve really should have included themselves.

❤️ 1

NGnius commented

2023-10-31 01:03:30 +00:00

Owner

I don't know what the underlying methodology is for limiting the charge on the current version of Power Tools, but this indicates that having Power Tools set the charge mode to 'normal' when below the system charge limit, and setting it to 'idle' when the system is >=charge limit should work. It's entirely possible this is a silly suggestion though, so apologies if I've misunderstood.

The charging limit mechanic is basically an imitation of the vanilla one that kicks in at 90%: my version is explained here. No worries, I understand the confusion -- PowerTools v1.4.0 changed how this works with SteamOS 3.5 (basically, PowerTools now lets Linux handle it), so my stance right now is basically "however SteamOS 3.5 does it is the correct way". There is a bug in PowerTools v1.4.0 where it doesn't always tell Linux what to do (specifically: to turn off the charge limit). The way that Linux does it (in SteamOS 3.5), the charge limit is now obeyed even when the Deck is off/asleep. I think that's a feature, and I'm pretty sure Valve thinks that too. If Valve would publish documentation on this stuff I would've done it their way from the start. But if all code were publicly documented and/or open source this would be a utopia and we can't have that /s

Thank you for responding so quickly

Sorry for disappointing this time around, lol.

and for making such a brilliant plugin for proving functionality that valve really should have included themselves.

I'm digressing, but there was a subtle comment by someone at Valve made in an early interview about not wanting to make the Deck's UI too complicated since it would be intimidating to new users (especially that subset of console users who like their handhelds and their hands to be held). That's a pretty good reason to not include a lot of the options that PowerTools exposes, at least not by default. I appreciate the sentiment though <3

Maybe one day the vanilla QAM will get an advanced mode to address that. Selfishly I sort of hope not because I enjoy working on PowerTools; it's the second-largest hobby project I've ever made.

I'm closing this now just to avoid confusion between this and #127. Don't let that stop you from asking questions or clarification if you still need some. You're the most polite and apologetic person I've seen on the internet in a while, which is quite refreshing so thank you.

> I don't know what the underlying methodology is for limiting the charge on the current version of Power Tools, but this indicates that having Power Tools set the charge mode to 'normal' when below the system charge limit, and setting it to 'idle' when the system is >=charge limit should work. It's entirely possible this is a silly suggestion though, so apologies if I've misunderstood. The charging limit mechanic is basically an imitation of the vanilla one that kicks in at 90%: my version is explained [here](https://git.ngni.us/NG-SD-Plugins/PowerTools/wiki/FAQ#user-content-how-does-the-charge-limit-work). No worries, I understand the confusion -- PowerTools v1.4.0 changed how this works with SteamOS 3.5 (basically, PowerTools now lets Linux handle it), so my stance right now is basically "however SteamOS 3.5 does it is the correct way". There is a bug in PowerTools v1.4.0 where it doesn't always tell Linux what to do (specifically: to turn off the charge limit). The way that Linux does it (in SteamOS 3.5), the charge limit is now obeyed even when the Deck is off/asleep. I think that's a feature, and I'm pretty sure Valve thinks that too. If Valve would publish documentation on this stuff I would've done it their way from the start. But if all code were publicly documented and/or open source this would be a utopia and we can't have that /s > Thank you for responding so quickly Sorry for disappointing this time around, lol. > and for making such a brilliant plugin for proving functionality that valve really should have included themselves. I'm digressing, but there was a subtle comment by someone at Valve made in an early interview about not wanting to make the Deck's UI too complicated since it would be intimidating to new users (especially that subset of console users who like their handhelds and their hands to be held). That's a pretty good reason to not include a lot of the options that PowerTools exposes, at least not by default. I appreciate the sentiment though <3 Maybe one day the vanilla QAM will get an advanced mode to address that. Selfishly I sort of hope not because I enjoy working on PowerTools; it's the second-largest hobby project I've ever made. I'm closing this now just to avoid confusion between this and #127. Don't let that stop you from asking questions or clarification if you still need some. You're the most polite and apologetic person I've seen on the internet in a while, which is quite refreshing so thank you.

NGnius closed this issue