BT LE version 5.0 is used by Roam 3 and doesn’t feature dynamic power control ( this was introduced in BT 5.2). However, it is possible that Roam 3 firmware selects Tx power at time of initial connection according to signal received from phone. If phone signal is blocked or distant, then Roam could be enabling a higher Tx power for the ride. Higher Tx power equals more battery drain.
Just speculation, no idea if Tx power change has been applied. Any chance phone is some distance away from Roam when it’s powered up?
This is the wahoo support suggestion sended me yesterday
To better assist you, please use the following charging method (regardless of how you have been charging the device) to fully charge the battery:
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Supplied charging cable + Individual / Non-Apple / 5V, 2+ amp Power block + Individual Wall Outlet*
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*We do NOT suggest using USB Ports, Multi-charging Blocks, Multi-charging USB Wall outlets or PC/Laptop ports*
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With this suggested charging set-up, I would first allow the ELEMNT device to fully drain down its current battery charge. Once drained, use the supplied cable and non-Apple charging block to fully charge the unit back up. Please then power on the device and check for battery life improvements.*
I charge my devices thru a USB analyser, so have monitored charge Voltage/Current/Power over time on many Roam 3 charge cycles. I do not experience the fast discharge problem (after using Auto, rather than Auto Max). However, I’ve never discharged below 25% on the Roam 3 display. I only ride in reasonable temps (5C to 35C).
From analysis, Roam 3 is capable of USB BC 1.2, i.e. 7.5W charge rate (5V @ 1.5A). I’ve never seen higher charge voltage (9V for 15W).
Some time ago, I tested charging a 25% (low) Roam 3 via a wall socket (USB A, maybe 0.5A capable), connected through a low-quality 3m lead. Roam 3 refused to take charge, didn’t start up to show Wahoo/charging. I didn’t have analyser connected but I assume Voltage at Roam 3 way too low due to charging lead resistance and poor regulation of the wall charger. NOTE: I think this is the issue covered by the Wahoo guidance note as there were reports of Roams not taking charge - due to charger/lead limitations.
I’ve previously advised in several posts that 100% on Roam 3 does not necessarily mean the battery is full, it continues to charge after showing 100%. I analyse current down to 30mA (0.030A) where charging seems to then be shut off and 30mA is probably current consumed by Roam internal charge circuitry. On my Roam at 20 deg C, this extra charge takes 45min to 1h after 100% displayed. On a ride take about 1h 15min before display drops below 100%.
My recommendations:
A. Use a charger that is at least 15W capable and supports USB C with PD - often described as a fast charger. Over spec the charger so that robust / faster charging is possible.
B. Use a high-quality lead, no more than 2m long, overrated for PD, i.e. lead states 120W/65W capable.
C. Whilst I advocate leaving charger active beyond 100% (displayed), only do this for longer rides. However, since Roam 3 doesn’t alert at 100% it naturally continues charge, so overcharge generally occurs anyway. NOTE: General advice for Lithium to prolong life is never discharge below 20% or charge above 80% but this isn’t a big issue unless you’re charging every day.
Comment: Whilst Wahoo advice on charging is good, I don’t think it addresses the problem experienced by users with random/rapid discharge rate who start rides with 100% displayed after charge, but no harm in giving it a try. Occasional low discharge can help sometimes with battery issues.
I haven’t just felt it, I measured it with an IR thermometer. The device gets 4-5 °C warmer than ambient at the back when bugged, and stays pretty much at ambient when not.
And yeah, interesting observation, I haven’t tried this specifically yet.
That’s right; I also noticed that it stayed at 100% for the first hour, then dropped to 86% over the next hour during a 2-hour workout. That works out to 7% per hour—far less than the advertised 30 hours.
I usually put it on charge in the morning and unplug it in the afternoon, after about 8 hours.
I got my first Roam 3 in June 2025 (I later replaced it because I dropped it and the glass broke), and the battery drain was always in line with the advertised specs; it always worked well. In my opinion, a firmware update messed everything up. It would be enough just to have the option to downgrade the firmware.
Running navigation, i.e loading and starting a route does seem to increase battery drain. See my post (number 113), first time in 9 months with no navigation.
Estimate 3.25%/h on that ride compared to average above 5%/h on other rides with navigation.
I have voice enabled, so that may be increasing power consumption.
I got my first Roam 3 in June 2025 (I later replaced it because I dropped it and the glass broke), and the battery drain was always in line with the advertised specs; it always worked well. In my opinion, a firmware update messed everything up. It would be enough just to have the option to downgrade the firmware.
I appreciate that some users experience seemingly random rapid battery discharge rate that didn’t occur in 2025.
Also, that significant self heating with Roam/Bolt could be due to processor working overtime.
For reference only, I post performance of my Roam 3 that doesn’t appear to suffer rapid discharge, so far:
Today air temp 25C average total time Roam running route nav with live tracking = 7.25h. Battery at end of ride displayed as 70%, i.e 4.1%/h. Note: probably 1.5h not moving as I had two cafe stops but Roam 3 was running with phone and radar. Stowed in my helmet, annoying other people in cafe as it kept squeaking
Before my yesterday training I follw the Wahoo indications:
Supplied charging cable + Individual / Non-Apple / 5V, 2+ amp Power block + Individual Wall Outlet
We do NOT suggest using USB Ports, Multi-charging Blocks, Multi-charging USB Wall outlets or PC/Laptop ports
With this suggested charging set-up, I would first allow the ELEMNT device to fully drain down its current battery charge. Once drained, use the supplied cable and non-Apple charging block to fully charge the unit back up. Please then power on the device and check for battery life improvements.
The situation has improved …There are something strange… The battery stayed at 100% for an hour and ten minutes, then immediately dropped to 97% ( not 99 and not 98 ) before gradually falling to 90% after a two-hour workout—a rate of about 5% per hour. I should mention that the screen backlight was ON continuously during the first hour, whereas I switched it to “AUTO” for the second. There was a slight improvement, but I’ll test it further during longer rides this Saturday and Sunday.
@zgreg You returned the Roam 3 to the seller ??
Which bike computer did you replace the Roam with?
I’m thinking of returning my Roam for the Bryton S810, which I’ve already tried out… not bad.
Manuel, in your post, you comment about improvement to 5%/h after following Wahoo charging instructions.
It is possible that with a charger that has limited current capability, poor regulation or with high resistance USB lead, that a full charge isn’t guaranteed. Maybe Wahoo % displayed is influenced by other factors besides battery voltage?
Anyhow, worthwhile testing on a few more rides before returning to seller
Would be great to confirm findings for other users.
I’ll test it further on Saturday and Sunday during longer rides. Another issue, however, is notifications… Wahoo automatically filters out duplicate notifications: if your wife texts “OK” ten times, you only see the notification once… and I don’t like that. Unlike other bike computers, I can’t choose which notifications to see; with Wahoo, it’s just messaging and email by default.
So, the plan is to replace it for these reasons.
I’d say the Roam’s battery life sucks.
I charged the Roam to 100% all night.
This morning I uploaded the GPX track with the POIs set for the fountains and started my workout.
Heart rate, power meter, DI2, speed sensor.
After 1 hour I was at 95%, after 2 hours I was at 82%.
I turned off the navigation… I got home after 4 hours with the battery at 42%.
Terrible.
