Rapidly Draining Batteries at DVinfo.net

Dana Salsbury · May 15th, 2008, 12:44 PM

Is it common that my batteries would drain an hour for every 20 minutes while recording? The only thing connected to my cam is a Rode shotgun. My only guess is heat.

Vito DeFilippo · May 15th, 2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dana Salsbury

Is it common that my batteries would drain an hour for every 20 minutes while recording?

Actually, cold would have a worse effect. Do you mean that the display on your camera shows battery life decreasing by an hour after only 20 minutes of recording?

Cold has a negative effect on battery life. Could also be that they are old, been recharged too many times and are reaching the end of their useful life. They also drain faster if the LCD is open.

If not that, could you test them on another camera, hopefully the same model? That would at least let you know if it's the camera or the batteries.

Doug Okamoto · May 15th, 2008, 08:03 PM

Could also be "cheap" aftermarket batteries that some vendors like to sell. They typically don't live as long as the normal or more well known battery makers.

Vito DeFilippo · May 15th, 2008, 08:17 PM

Good point. I hear some reports of them dying suddenly even though the display indicates plenty of time left.

Dana Salsbury · May 16th, 2008, 10:05 AM

Hmrrr...but aftermarket batteries are so cheap. I wonder if it's any indication that they take forever to charge as well.

BTW, down here in Phoenix we don't know cold. Our cams catch fire every now and then. (The trick is to blow it out without camera shake.) It's a treat to vacation in Washington where the air is naturally cool -- without AC! Wild.

Aric Mannion · May 16th, 2008, 10:37 AM

I have a cheap battery that has an extremely shorter life than when I bought it. The way to fix it in my case, is to deplete the battery completely and then charge it completely. After that it goes back to normal... for a while

Sean Seah · May 16th, 2008, 06:57 PM

My 960 can last 3hrs with the LCD on. Usually I record 2hrs

May 15th, 2008, 12:44 PM	#1
Dana Salsbury Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 859	Rapidly Draining Batteries Is it common that my batteries would drain an hour for every 20 minutes while recording? The only thing connected to my cam is a Rode shotgun. My only guess is heat. __________________ www.LegacyHDV.com Weddings \| Corporate \| HMC150s \| FCPX \| Encore \| Lion

May 15th, 2008, 08:17 PM	#4
Vito DeFilippo Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 1,585	Good point. I hear some reports of them dying suddenly even though the display indicates plenty of time left. __________________ . http://www.nosmallroles.com

May 16th, 2008, 10:05 AM	#5
Dana Salsbury Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 859	Hmrrr...but aftermarket batteries are so cheap. I wonder if it's any indication that they take forever to charge as well. BTW, down here in Phoenix we don't know cold. Our cams catch fire every now and then. (The trick is to blow it out without camera shake.) It's a treat to vacation in Washington where the air is naturally cool -- without AC! Wild. __________________ www.LegacyHDV.com Weddings \| Corporate \| HMC150s \| FCPX \| Encore \| Lion

May 15th, 2008, 08:03 PM	#3
Doug Okamoto Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Bellevue, Washington Posts: 145	Could also be "cheap" aftermarket batteries that some vendors like to sell. They typically don't live as long as the normal or more well known battery makers.

May 16th, 2008, 10:37 AM	#6
Aric Mannion Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 616	I have a cheap battery that has an extremely shorter life than when I bought it. The way to fix it in my case, is to deplete the battery completely and then charge it completely. After that it goes back to normal... for a while

May 16th, 2008, 06:57 PM	#7
Sean Seah Trustee Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,498	My 960 can last 3hrs with the LCD on. Usually I record 2hrs