Prevent xbox 360 joystick from powering down due to inactivity

I am using an xbox 360 wireless joystick and building windows standalone games. I have noticed in the past if the controllers is paired, I can power down and reconnect the controller and the game will see and respond to the joystick input without having to restart the game. The joystick would also not power down if left untouched for long periods of time. (as long as there is enough battery power left)

Recently Unity3D standalone builds are not reconnecting with the joystick if it looses connection. Furthermore, the joystick is going to autopowering down if i dont use it. If this happens I have to restart the game to get the joystick to respond.

Is there anything i need to do to joystick to reconnect without having to restart the game? Also is there anything I can do to prevent an xbox 360 joystick from powering down due to inactivity?