Author Topic: How to better manage batteries (Read 9140 times)

madelaide · « **on:** November 21, 2010, 13:49 »

Maybe it isn't an issue for most of you, who are probably shooting frequently, but only use my DSLR like once a month, when not traveling.

When I'm going to use it, the battery in it is often discharged. So I use the backup and recharge the first, even if only one is going suffice for that shooting. Next time I normally find this backup ran out and replace it by the first one.

So I wonder what is better for the batteries:
- Charge them only when going to use
- Charge them only when they lose charge completely
- Charge them as soon as they lose charge, even if partially, after a session

The point is not about always having the camera ready, but about what is better for battery life and operation.

In case it makes any difference, I use a Canon 400D and this battery is a Lithium-ion technology.

eppic · « **Reply #1 on:** November 21, 2010, 14:06 »

I have 3 batteries for my DSLR. I dont do alot of shooting either (probably one photoshoot/week), but I like making sure I have plenty of battery power. My general rule of thumb is to recharge once a battery falls below 40%, and I recharge as soon as I return from a photoshoot, otherwise I might forget and find myself with dead batteries for my next photoshoot. Incidentally I've found non-OEM batteries to be pretty much as good as OEM's these days and cost alot less.

cathyslife · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2010, 14:08 »

It's my understanding that lithium batteries do not have a "memory". In other words, if you charge them before they are completely discharged, you are not shortening the usage time of the battery. So I don't think it hurts to partially charge them. Usually a few hours before I know I am going to shoot, I charge both of my batteries.

My question for someone more knowledgeable is if you charge your batteries fully a few days before a shoot, do they lose the charge just sitting there? You mentioned that when you are going to use yours, madelaide, that it is often discharged, so maybe this is a question you are asking too?

cathyslife · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2010, 14:09 »

Quote from: eppic on November 21, 2010, 14:06

I have 3 batteries for my DSLR. I dont do alot of shooting either (probably one photoshoot/week), but I like making sure I have plenty of battery power. My general rule of thumb is to recharge once a battery falls below 40%, and I recharge as soon as I return from a photoshoot, otherwise I might forget and find myself with dead batteries for my next photoshoot. Incidentally I've found non-OEM batteries to be pretty much as good as OEM's these days and cost alot less.

That sounds like a good practice I should get into.

photosoup · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2010, 14:49 »

I also take out the camera and shoot about once a week.
When I'm scheduled for a photo shoot session, I charge both batteries (both originals) the night before the shoot. When I'm not scheduled, meaning just shooting for fun, I just used whatever left of previous charge just because I know in case of emergency, I have an extra battery with me.

I only charge a battery (immediately after a shoot) when it is used 3/4 or almost died.

Kone · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2010, 18:28 »

Quote from: eppic on November 21, 2010, 14:06

I have 3 batteries for my DSLR. I dont do alot of shooting either (probably one photoshoot/week), but I like making sure I have plenty of battery power. My general rule of thumb is to recharge once a battery falls below 40%, and I recharge as soon as I return from a photoshoot, otherwise I might forget and find myself with dead batteries for my next photoshoot. Incidentally I've found non-OEM batteries to be pretty much as good as OEM's these days and cost alot less.

Looks like you are doing it right.
Check this web site:
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries

However, I do not do what the above website suggests.
I have a Nikon D700 and two Li-Ion Batteries, 1500mAh.
I recharge them when my camera gives me a warning. I read somewhere that following the camera's warning is best for the batteries.
The battery life is much longer now then when they was purchased. I can take 1300-1500 images with one battery on a single charge.
The last vacation I went on, I did not even use a second battery and I took well over 1800 images with the one battery only.

madelaide · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2010, 18:37 »

As I said, my concern is not having the batteries ready, but making what is best for its life.

If that site Kone posted is accurate, I should recharge them more often:
"Avoid frequent full discharges because this puts additional strain on the battery. Several partial discharges with frequent recharges are better for lithium-ion than one deep one."

2-3 year life? Gosh, I should be buying new batteries then!

cclapper, the battery that I often find discharged is the one that remains in the camera after a shooting (without further recharging), so it is already "used" and I understand the camera uses it even if off (otherwise it would lose the date/hour setting, right?)

elvinstar · « **Reply #7 on:** November 22, 2010, 11:11 »

I would think that camera have to have a separate battery for date/time stuff (or it's stored on some sort of solid-state memory) otherwise we'd lose date/time when we changed batteries. Not sure though.

madelaide · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2010, 11:59 »

I presume the camera loses date/time if batteries are removed for a long time. At least in my P&S it is so. It can stay minutes, maybe hours, without batteries, but at some point it loses date and other settings.

photostyles · « **Reply #9 on:** November 23, 2013, 01:58 »

Use batteries with full charged and use it with normal mode.Always remove battery from camera after use it is a clean process for battery life long.If your battery back up is get lower day by day then before using charge it full and after use it. ;

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #10 on:** November 23, 2013, 08:34 »

Quote from: madelaide on November 22, 2010, 11:59

I presume the camera loses date/time if batteries are removed for a long time. At least in my P&S it is so. It can stay minutes, maybe hours, without batteries, but at some point it loses date and other settings.

Many (all?) canon dSLRs have a "date time" battery hidden in the body. They last for years but they're also a pain because when they start to die the camera malfunctions without giving any indication of what's wrong and the manual says nothing about it.

Beppe Grillo · « **Reply #11 on:** November 23, 2013, 09:24 »

Another point: battery longs less
- if you use long exposure times
- if you use live-view (even live-view tethered to your computer, with Nikon Camera Control Pro for example)
- if you use the monitor (better set it to not show the photo after each shot, but only when *you* want to watch it)
- if you use the camera under low temperatures (outdoor in winter, snow, ice)

mbjayasekara · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2014, 04:27 »

Charge only when its fully drained!

pancaketom · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2014, 12:28 »

Quote from: mbjayasekara on January 06, 2014, 04:27

Charge only when its fully drained!

That is true for NiCd batteries but not Li ion of Nimh batteries as far as I know... Except maybe every once in a while.

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-tips-for-extending-lithium-ion-battery-life/

(tips 3 and 4)

Pixart · « **Reply #14 on:** January 06, 2014, 13:18 »

Straying off topic but I splurged on one of these this past hockey season, I cycle through about 48 AA batteries several times a week. This recharging station is awesome. I also has a recondition cycle that takes most of the day to bring new life to batteries that would otherwise be thrown out. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/883786-REG/Powerex_MH_C801D_8_Cell_1_Hour_Charger.html

elvinstar · « **Reply #15 on:** January 07, 2014, 10:57 »

^^ Thanks for the info, that's good to know!!

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Author Topic: How to better manage batteries (Read 9140 times)

madelaide

eppic

cathyslife

cathyslife

photosoup

Kone

madelaide

elvinstar

madelaide

photostyles

BaldricksTrousers

Beppe Grillo

mbjayasekara

pancaketom

Pixart

elvinstar

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