Battery in cold weather?bad? at DVinfo.net

Ryan Thomas · December 22nd, 2006, 11:36 AM

I would like to start off by saying I am new to this forum and I have found it very informative already.

I just purchased a new camcorder and was wanting to take it with me when we go snowboarding. I have heard that the cold weather has a negative impact on the battery/battery life. Anyone know if that is true or any thoughts on that? Any help would be appreciated.Thanks.

-Ryan

Per Johan Naesje · December 22nd, 2006, 11:50 AM

Hi Ryan, welcome onboard!
Cold weather will reduce your batteries life, but you can do some to reduce this effect.
First of all wear the batteries under your coat/jacket when not in use. Your body heat will keep the batteries warm.
Charge the batteries fully the day you will use them.
Buy at least one spare battery.

Good luck!

Adam Palomer · December 22nd, 2006, 12:01 PM

Porta Brace make Polar Bear & Polar Mitten cases that you can use with heat packs to keep both the camera and the batteries nice and toasty.

Duane Burleson · December 22nd, 2006, 01:53 PM

A trick many still photographers use when shooting in the cold, Winter Olympics, Football, etc., is to tape chemical hand warmers around the battery. We would tape it along the bottom of the camera where the battery is inserted. Will the smaller video camera batteries this should be easier to tape or wrap it around the battery itself. It works great.

Duane

Ryan Thomas · December 23rd, 2006, 11:13 AM

Thanks for the info guys. How drastic is the reduction in battery life? Thanks.

-Ryan

Andzei Matsukevits · December 25th, 2006, 03:07 AM

i used to shoot in cold every day, i always had only one battery, not more. I taped first layers just with tape, then put some thin alluminum paper around it(aluminum blanket in first aid kit, just cut it in smaller peace), taped again, and put some aluminum paper again, it works almost as well as when you shoot in warm weather

oh yeah, even more important than battery life, when you come from shooting in cold to indoors, make sure you will leave your camera behind the door or if its not possible, then just close it really tight camerabag, so air wont go through. Otherwise you mess up your camera...

December 22nd, 2006, 11:36 AM	#1
Ryan Thomas Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 37	Battery in cold weather?bad? I would like to start off by saying I am new to this forum and I have found it very informative already. I just purchased a new camcorder and was wanting to take it with me when we go snowboarding. I have heard that the cold weather has a negative impact on the battery/battery life. Anyone know if that is true or any thoughts on that? Any help would be appreciated.Thanks. -Ryan

December 22nd, 2006, 11:50 AM	#2
Per Johan Naesje Trustee Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Akershus, Norway Posts: 1,413	Hi Ryan, welcome onboard! Cold weather will reduce your batteries life, but you can do some to reduce this effect. First of all wear the batteries under your coat/jacket when not in use. Your body heat will keep the batteries warm. Charge the batteries fully the day you will use them. Buy at least one spare battery. Good luck! __________________ - Per Johan

December 22nd, 2006, 12:01 PM	#3
Adam Palomer Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Summit, NJ Posts: 169	Porta Brace make Polar Bear & Polar Mitten cases that you can use with heat packs to keep both the camera and the batteries nice and toasty.

December 22nd, 2006, 01:53 PM	#4
Duane Burleson Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sterling Heights, Michigan Posts: 105	A trick many still photographers use when shooting in the cold, Winter Olympics, Football, etc., is to tape chemical hand warmers around the battery. We would tape it along the bottom of the camera where the battery is inserted. Will the smaller video camera batteries this should be easier to tape or wrap it around the battery itself. It works great. Duane

December 23rd, 2006, 11:13 AM	#5
Ryan Thomas Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 37	Thanks for the info guys. How drastic is the reduction in battery life? Thanks. -Ryan

December 25th, 2006, 03:07 AM	#6
Andzei Matsukevits Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Tallinn, Estonia Posts: 300	i used to shoot in cold every day, i always had only one battery, not more. I taped first layers just with tape, then put some thin alluminum paper around it(aluminum blanket in first aid kit, just cut it in smaller peace), taped again, and put some aluminum paper again, it works almost as well as when you shoot in warm weather oh yeah, even more important than battery life, when you come from shooting in cold to indoors, make sure you will leave your camera behind the door or if its not possible, then just close it really tight camerabag, so air wont go through. Otherwise you mess up your camera...