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2.4 BATTERIES | ||
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Today’s digital cameras aren't like the venerable old Leica that was fully mechanical. They are totally dependent on battery power to operate. You can easily run out of battery power after only a few pictures if you have the wrong batteries or don’t conserve power. Also, batteries eventually wear out.
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A battery charger and rechargeable batteries are necessities in digital photography. Courtesy of Thomas-Distributing. |
There are all kinds of batteries on the market. Here we'll discuss those types most often used in digital cameras.
Alkaline batteries are the kinds of batteries you usually find on drug store counters. They are OK in an emergency, but you'd go broke trying to use them in your camera on a regular basis.
NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries are the most widely used type of rechargeable battery. They charge quickly, last approximately 700 charge and discharge cycles, and perform well in low temperatures. However, they do have one major problem. If you charge a NiCad battery, use only part of the charge, then recharge it again, it doesn’t take a full charge. This is due to what’s called "memory effects." The memory effect reduces the overall capacity and run time of the battery. (NiMH-Nickel Metal Hydride and LiOn-Lithium Ion don’t have this problem.) Over time, the stored charge gets smaller and smaller and the battery fails more quickly when used. For instance, if you repeatedly recharge a 2 hour NiCad battery after using it for 30 minutes, it will develop a memory that limits the battery’s run time to 30 minutes.
Memory effect is caused by gas bubbles accumulating on the battery’s cell plates, reducing the area available to charge. To fix the battery and remove the gas bubbles, you need to condition it. Either fully discharge the batteries by leaving the camera and LCD on and then recharge them or use a battery charger/conditioner.
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Most consumer digital cameras use AA size batteries. |
NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries are the most popular digital camera batteries. They run 30% longer on each charge than NiCad batteries of equal size. They are also more environmentally friendly because they are made from non-toxic metals. If they have any weakness, it’s their overall life; lasting only about 400 charge and discharge cycles. These batteries do not suffer from memory effect.
LiOn (Lithium Ion) batteries last twice as long as NiMH batteries of equal size. They also don't loose their charge as quickly while in storage. However, being newer than other battery types, they are not available in as wide a range of models and they are more expensive. They have the same life expectancy as NiMH batteries, about 400 charge and discharge cycles. These batteries do not suffer from memory effect.
An external battery packs containing NiMH batteries clips onto your belt and a cord connects it to
the camera. One side benefit is that you can remove batteries from the camera and lighten it a lot. If
you choose to leave them in the camera, they will act as a reserve when the battery pack starts
running low on power.
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Even the youngest photographer can benefit from a battery pack. |
You are sometimes off the road, perhaps on a canoe trip, and need to recharge your AA rechargeable batteries. To do so, you need a solar battery charger. These take a long time to charge batteries, but in some settings there may be no alternative.
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Solar chargers can get the job done but they take a long time to do it. Courtesy of Thomas-Distributing. |
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Batteries are rated by voltage and milliamp hours (mAH). Most NiMH batteries are either rated at 1300 mAH or 1500 mAH. Tests have shown that the 1300 mAH batteries will take between 125 and 145 shots while the 1500 mAH batteries capture between 140 and 165 shots. (Alkaline batteries capture 25 shots or less.)
Digital cameras become nothing more than paper weights when their batteries run out. For that reason, you should always carry a spare battery or an AC adapter. However, there are ways to prolong your battery's charge. Here are some of them.
- When you first get new batteries charge and recharge them a few times so they get fully charged.
- Turn off the power hungry LCD display and use the optical viewfinder. It's better for taking pictures anyway. When you have to use the LCD display, turn down its brightness, or use the black & white mode.
- Fully drain the battery charge and then re-charge them periodically. The easiest way to do this is with a conditioning charger that drains the battery before recharging it, or a pulse charger that uses a negative pulse to remove the gas bubbles.
- Occasionally clean the battery contacts in the camera and charger with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol). Most charging problems are caused by dirty contacts on the battery or charger.
- When not using the camera for an extended period, remove the battery and store it in a cool, dry place. Also remove flash memory cards from the camera when not in use.
- An AC adapter allows you to plug the camera into the wall when the batteries run out or when you are using the camera to display, print, or download images.
Batteries don't last forever. Depending on the type, they'll last between 400-700 recharge cycles. For heavy users that’s about 1 to 2 years. Generally, you can tell when your batteries are failing when they no longer hold as long a charge or seem to be dying faster. (However, if they are NiCad-Nickel Cadmium batteries, you may just have to deal with the memory problem.)
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NiMH batteries fade off gradually. Normally after
300 - 400 cycles, battery capacity will decrease 10 to15%. Courtesy
of Thomas- Distributing. |
When flying, be sure your batteries are charged. You may be asked to turn your camera on at a security check point. Also, be sure you can recharge you batteries on the road. In the US, the power system is 110 volts and 60Hz. Overseas it's 220 volts and 50Hz. On top of this, there is an even wider variety of wall plugs. To plug in battery chargers, AC adapters, and notebook computers, you need an adapter kit: preferably a universal plug and voltage adapter.
- An adapter is used to plug a dual voltage appliance, converter, or transformer into a wall outlet that doesn't match the device.
- A converter is used with electric appliances such as hairdryers.
- A transformer is used with electronic devices such as computers.
Converters can harm appliances over time and shouldn't be used for more than a few hours at a time. Transformers can be used for longer periods. The only problem with transformers is that they are much heavier than converters.
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One of the most complete suppliers you'll find is Lashen Electronics. |
According to the EPA, each year over 2 billion used batteries are disposed into solid waste facilities in the United States. This constitutes 88% of the mercury and 54% of the cadmium deposited into our landfills. Many kinds of batteries, like those used in digital cameras, can be recycled instead of thrown away. When they wear out, try to take them back to the store where you bought them. Many stores collect the used batteries and then send them to a factory to be recycled. If not, contact local health officials to see if any provisions have been made for battery disposal.