Bluetooth keyboard eats batteries

I have never particularly liked the bluetooth keyboard because it omits the number keys and the forward erase key. However in the interests of using a wireless keyboard I decide to purchase and use one to see how it goes. I used it for a while and gave up. With the advent of Lion and the use of the trackpad, I decided to try it again.
My problem is that the keyboard goes through a set of batteries every 2 days. This looks as if the keyboard never sleeps. I sleep the computer with which it is paired (iMac 27" i7) before I leave at night. I repeated the experiment with two sets of AA alkaline batteries and 1 set of full charged Apple rechargable batteries. I ended up going back to the wired keyboard and got back my numbers and forward erase.
Am I missing something here, but shouldn't the keyboard sleep automatically? The track pad and magic mouse work fine with no loss of power over such a short period.

Barry, thanks for confirming what I thought should be the case, i.e. it should sleep automatically, as per the Track Pad and Magic Mouse. Like you, I think it is faulty but I cannot remember when I bought it and cannot trace the receipt so I will have to eat the cost..... (sorry to keep using the analogy :-) )
I am not in a hurry to try with a new one since it does have a lot of limitations compared to the full wired keyboard, the only exception being that it does not need wires, of course. I do wish Apple made a full keyboard that was wireless again. My wife still uses the old style full travel key wireless keyboard for that reason, as well as pointing out that the new keyboards from Apple are rather poor ergonomically for touch typists. Form over function I think...
Again your response is appreciated.

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This month I have had to replace the batteries on a daily basis. It has become an additional morning routine:
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Try restoring as new, i.e. without your backup.
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Part of it may be something in the battery reporting software.
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If it's broken and no longer working:
If your iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad is Broken
Apple does not fix iDevices. Instead, they exchange yours for a refurbished or new replacement depending upon the age of your device and refurbished inventories. On rare occasions when there are no longer refurbished units for your older model, they may replace it with the next newer model.
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iPad Service Support and Costs
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Message was edited by: Barry Hemphill

Bluetooth keyboard eats batteries

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