So I've had my PS3 for about 5-ish months and I've probably had to recharge my controller nearly 10 times.  Now I know that doesn't sound like much at all if you actually play your PS3, but I actually use my controller maybe once or twice a month if that and not for that long.

Each time my controller sits there flashing at me not letting me play a game when I actually want to I plug my controller into the PS3 and let it sit for a few hours.  I can't really play while it's charging because the cord I have is ridiculously short and I know it does actually charge my controller.

 It's aggrevating because I rarely use my controller and I assume letting charge for a few hours would be sufficient enough to charge it but I guess not.  I suppose I get a few hours of playtime at most and then next month when I want to play a game on my PS3 again it's dead.

How is my controller dieing so often?  

I do watch movies all the time on my PS3 but I never even touch my controller, I use a remote.  As far as I know the controller never turns on unless I actually turn it on so I have no idea why the charge sucks so much.  Hopefully the Duelshock 3 holds a charge a bit better.

/rant 

Rechargeable batteries do not hold charges very long. Use regular

Does the controller have an explicit "on/off" button like the Wiimote? I thought the power management in the Wiimote was one of the smartest implementations I have seen for ages.

This is the second report of a PS3 becoming self aware and doing spooky things... have you talked to your local exorscist yet ???

Maybe it loses it's charge over long periods of time of limited use? I use mine constantly (almost once a day), and I'd say it lasts between 25-30 hours before I have to recharge it again.

 You can't change the SIXAXIS's battaries since it doesn't have any.  >_>

And as far as I know the controller just turns off when you turn the system off (or at least the lights turn off) or you can turn it off similar to turning off the 360 controller through a menu. 

You can shut the controller off by hitting the PS button and following your screen's instrucion, other then that get a usb extension cord and an extra controller I have the extension for my 360 and PS3, and I charge the one ps3 controller while playing with the other but if your playing online and your charge is getting low the USB extension works great! I mean as a gamer you cant let batteries slow you down! Good luck!

in 2012 the cell becomes selfaware and changes name to skynet! All beware cos the end is near.

A battery left alone out in the wild will lose its charge. Without going into specific details as to why, I would recomend you try putting them in the fridge when not in use. This will slow the natural drain on the batteries.

PS3 controllers dont use regular batteries!