Hi Robert, The batteries are registering 50 per cent because the unit is set to rechargeable instead of non-rechargeable batteries. Don't know about the mixed up keypad, though, but if it works now you've taken out the batteries, go into the settings list with the bottom left key and use four or six to move along the list until you hear battery type, rechargeable. Use the two key to set this to non-rechargeable and then zero to exit. Trouble is, every time you change the batteries, it defaults to rechargeable again so you have to change it back each time. Maybe Springer might consider making the default non-rechargeable as I think more people use these. Cheers, Sandra.