Need a design document that will clearly spell out expected battery life and other aspects of electronic devices

[x-qq]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

I am watching in horror the current batteries situation after #75361.

I am not updating my used experimental build because of this.

I feel like the right steps to resolve it are not being taken.

Solution you would like.

I would like to see an .md design document for electronics in doc/ introduced, one that would clearly specify what battery lifetime electronics should have.

Then, having such document, an implementation (battery types, what devices use what batteries, chemistries, on/off cost) can be adjusted and tests can be written that verify it.

My idea of such document would include the following expected battery life times:

• flashlight (use time also takes some turning on/off from time to time into account):

  • high power/heavy duty/"high" setting: 8 hours
    • subject to discussion/additional research
  • standard/"low setting": 16 hours
    • subject to discussion/additional research
  • small LED reading light: 40 hours
    • based on: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rechargeable-Gritin-Eye-Protecting-Stepless-Adjustable/dp/B0C8JBZK43

• mp3 player: 80 hours of continous use

  • based on: https://www.amazon.com/RUIZU-X02-Recorder-Playback-Expandable/dp/B073R7ZHVC

• smartphone: 12 hours of continous use

  • based on: https://m.gsmarena.com/battery-test-v2.php3

• laptop: 6 hours of continous use

  • based on: approximation based on personal experience

• power tools (elecric chainsaw, angle grinder, and similar kW-range tools): 30 minutes of continuous use

  • based on: approximation based on personal experience

• soldering iron (battery powered): 40 minutes of continuous use

  • based on: https://www.amazon.com/JYJZPB-Soldering-Temperature-Adjustable-Household/dp/B0C5T2TZRB

• geiger counter: 2 months in "always on" mode

  • based on: https://www.radonshop.com/gamma-scout-rechargeable-en

May have forgotten some but this should be a good start.

This could also include expected mileage for electic cars.

Describe alternatives you have considered.

Whatever is happening currently is the alternative to this.

Additional context

No response

[harakka]

I'm not clear on why this needs a design document. Things should last as long as they do irl, you can just start PRing these changes. Although I think there's still some changes to battery capacities coming down the line so you may get to experience some merge conflicts depending on how quick you are about it.

[GuardianDll]

> high power/heavy duty/"high" setting: 8 hours
that's not true, manufacturers specify 8/16/whatever amount of hours this big only for the most dim mode, if you check more of them, you'll find on average they last two hours or so

besides, #76029 should be mentioned that adressed it

[XygenSS]

the biggest current limiting factor are 1) devices consume power in whole numbers, which #75912 seeks to resolve; and 2) devices cannot accept more than 1 battery at a time, which means multimag aka #75859 needs to happen

a design doc isn't going to achieve anything

[kevingranade]

I am in fact drafting a design document for battery handling, but project management is not in scope for issues so I'm closing this.