My Harmony 880 is 3+ years old:

a) Original batteries still!!

b) I've gone thru 2 replacement cradles, none ever worked for good charging. Somewhere here or another forum there was a mod to take apart the charger and tweak the springs that poke up. I did that, seemed to work for a few months, but now charging is not consistent.

Don't laugh, I just have a big/heavy weight and put that on the 880 while it's in the cradle, now it charges w/o issue. Talk about a red-neck solution.

btw, I also have a 890 and 0 problems with it charging, they only have 2 contacts not 3, not sure if the plastic injection molded cradle is same or a newer mold/tool for the 890 with some additional clearances so better fit.