Nest thermostat offline now power

[Cacapoopoo]

Out of the blue, my Nest won't hold a charge and can't connect to it via WiFi. Have not made any wiring changes, have had power to charge it for over 3 years. 

With updates and firmware pushes, would this be a forced obsolescence issue never to be resolved? I swear it feels this way. My buddy's Nest product (cam) had similar issue and was instructed to buy a new one. I may switch to something cheaper, this seems like forced obsolescence.

Read through another forum discussions and it seems odd it just stops working out of the blue after a few years 

[Patrick_Caezza]

@Cacapoopoo 

How do you have it wired?

Is a C wire installed?

The Nest Learning Thermostat uses a "power stealing" function to keep its internal battery charged when a C wire isn't installed.

Look at the power readings, which are located under the Setting > Technical Info > Power. The Battery should show a level of 3.8V or higher. If it is lower than that, it means the battery isn't fully charged and you should install a C wire if one isn't installed.

Here is a link to a Help page that covers the power information in more detail.

Nest thermostat Technical Info menu 

[Cacapoopoo]

I've had power hooked up via Rh wire for over 3 years. Battery is at 3.66V, and won't hold a charge. Why can't I upload photos here? 

[zoeuvre]

Hi Cacapoopoo, 

Thanks for posting here in Community forum, and I'm sorry to hear about the situation.

Are you replying to us via the Google Community website? If not, go to this link, scroll to this response, and hit Reply. From there, you'll be able to see a camera icon or click the three horizontal dots that will expand the toolbar, where you can possibly upload photos of your Nest Learning Thermostat base where the wires are connected.

Also, aside from the battery reading of your Nest Learning Thermostat, please also help us with the rest of its following power readings below: 

1. To open the Quick View menu, press the thermostat’s ring.
2. Choose Settings.
3. Turn the ring to highlight Technical Info then press the ring to select it.
4. Select Power.
   • VOC
   • VIN
   • IIN

I'll look forward to your response. 

Thanks for your help, @Patrick_Caezza. 

Best,

Zoe 

[Cacapoopoo]

VOC 38.63V

VIN 37.59 V

Lin 40mA(i)

[Cacapoopoo]

I still can't attach photos. No three dots or camera icon/button 

[zoeuvre]

Hi there, 
 

Thanks for getting back to us, and I’m sorry for the late response. 

The heating and cooling wires can be used to charge the built-in battery of Google Nest thermostats, however some users may also need to connect the Nest Power Connector or a common or C wire to reliably supply power to their thermostat. The sole purpose of a common wire is to provide steady power and maintain the current flow into the thermostat; it has no control over any heating or cooling operations. If your Nest Learning Thermostat/Nest Thermostat E has power problems or its battery frequently discharges, you'll need to install a C wire or a Nest Power Connector. 

Let us know and we'll be happy to help.

Regards,

Zoe

[Cacapoopoo]

By it's been using Rh for a while. Y1 is for Heat/cool (yellow wire) G is fan (green wire). OB is for the fan (orange wire). RH is power (Red). I do have a White wire not hooked up, as when I set it up, Nest told me to not use it at the time of install, through the wizard. Where should I connect on the nest the White wire I currently not hooked up to anything?

[zoeuvre]

Hello Cacapoopoo, 

Got it. Thanks for letting us know. I identified that your statement about how the wires are connected to your Nest Learning Thermostat seemed to be wired incorrectly.

To check more on this, please help us with the photo of your old thermostat wiring, as well as a photo of your furnace control board where the other end of the thermostat wires are connected. Visit this link and make sure you are logged in. 

Thanks,

Zoe

[Cacapoopoo]

See pictures how it's always been set up and worked for the last 3 years, until this this month. I set it up using the Nest wizard at the time. I no longer have access to my old thermostat, having installed the Nest 3 years ago or so.

The battery barely holds a charge anymore. Unsure why. Now for example, it has battery and works. It must be charging only when it runs?

Reading from when the Nest said it was low on battery. Also, the white wire I was told to tuck and put behind 3 years ago. I have to climb on the house and open the panel to control board to see the wiring.  I have a heatpump AC, not a furnace.

• VOC 38.63V
• VIN 37.59 V
• Lin 40mA(i)
• Battery at 3.66V

[zoeuvre]

Hi folks, 

@Cacapoopoo, it's me again, and I thank you for the additional information you give. If the Nest Learning Thermostat does not hold charge anymore, a Nest Power Connector or a common or C wire will fix this case. Nest Power Connector and common wire has no other function except to maintain the current flow into the thermostat and to supply consistent power; it has no influence over any heating or cooling processes. Installing a C wire or a Nest Power Connector is required if your Nest Learning Thermosta experiences power issues or its battery discharges regularly resulting to being offline. 

Let us know if you have any other questions. We're happy to help. 

Best,

Zoe

[zoeuvre]

Hi everyone, 

I wanted to check and see if you are still in need of any help. Please let me know, as I would be happy to assist, and answer any questions you may have.
 

Thanks,

Zoe

[zoeuvre]

Hi there, 

Just one quick final check in here since activity has slowed down. We'll be locking the thread in the next 24 hours, but if you still need help, I would be happy to keep it open. If there's more we can do, just let me know. 
 

Regards,

Zoe

[Cacapoopoo]

Where do I connect the white wire currently not being used? to C?

[zoeuvre]

Hello there, 

Thanks for the follow-up. If this white wire was previously connected to a C terminal on your old thermostat, then this wire should go to the C terminal of your Nest Learning Thermostat. However, since this white wire is not connected to any terminal of your Nest Learning Thermostat as of the moment, could you send us as a photo of your HVAC control board where the other end of your thermostat wires are connected so we can determine what this white wire is for? 

I'll look forward to hearing from you. 

Best regards,

Zoe

[Cacapoopoo]

As stated before with pics with my current set up, which was what the wizard guided me about 3 years ago. Only currently my issue has started. Can you see the set up photos? Where my current wires are based on how it was set up 3 years ago. Is my Nest battery basically dying ? Heard the Nest cams running into battery issues, even when wired. 

[Cacapoopoo]

Cannot upload photo of the board. My AC is a Lennox CHP20R-421-2P. Cannot upload photo of the wiring board 

[Cacapoopoo]

 

 

[Patrick_Caezza]

@Cacapoopoo 

Not all HVAC systems work well with the "power stealing" method to keep the internal batteries charged. Regardless of the market claims that Nest has about not needing a C wire, you do.

You also want to use the Rc terminal.

[Cacapoopoo]

By it's been using Rh for a while. Y1 is for Heat/cool (yellow wire) G is fan (green wire). OB is for the fan (orange wire). RH is power (Red). Have a white wire not hooked up, as when I set it up, Nest told me to not use it.