skyboyblue 0 #1 October 28, 2002 Has anyone heard of camera batteries being somehow drained completely and recharged professionally to make them like new? I have an a gigantic pc-1 battery that nearly died on a single jump a few weeks ago. is there a process to revitalize batteries and is it worth it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newshooter12 0 #2 October 28, 2002 Skyboyblue - What kind of batteries are you using? Li? Nicad? NiMh? Who are they made by? Do you use them until the camera won't function any more before you recharge them? What kind of charger are you using? Slow, fast, trickle.... My chief photographer handed out some hybrid batteries (that were suppossed to be "virtually memoriless") about 8-12 months ago and in the last year nearly all of them had to be sent back to the manufacturer. Moral of the story all batteries have "a memory." ...... It just depends on how sensitive they are. Nicads tend to have the worst memories, but tend to have a gentle power curve. The engineers and photographers at work (and the two other stations I've worked at) have there varied theories, but tend to agree on this.... The best way to keep batteries in there best shape is to use them until they are drained ("discharged") and then recharge them fully. If that's not possible they can be "conditioned" routinely, but not every charge to help them out. Problem is that after they are used partially and recharged too many times the battery's memory gets smaller and smaller. Which leads to the short life that you said you're experiencing. Another possibility is to get a "smart" charger that senses the state that the battery is in, then charges it, discharges it, or conditions it when needed. Some continually monitor the batteries and top them off as needed. If the batteries aren't too far gone or their memories aren't burnt in a good discharge then full charge at a slow or trickle could really help save them. In general try to trickle charge batteries rather then using quick chargers all the time. Enough of my ramblings for now... I hope it helps a bit. let me know how it goes. matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #3 October 28, 2002 One trick to completely drain a battery is to get a small computer fan and hook the wires up to the battery terminals. This will provide more wear on the battery then a camcorder does to finish off a battery. Then you can just recharge it and there you go.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #4 October 28, 2002 This phenoenon is known those of who used NiCads as striping. NiMH batteries are more resistsant to striping than NiCads, but it appears they are not immune. I would suggest following Phreezones advice, but repeat the process of full discharge, and full recharge cycle, about 6 times to clear any 'memory' or striping efects. Cleaning the battery contacts on both the battery and the cam can help too.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cajones 0 #5 October 28, 2002 Good advise, Phree. There are also some very good aftermarket chargers that sense the state of a battery, and will "condition" most any type of battery. They are cheaper than the Sony chargers, to boot. Try the Maha C277PlusII. The laws of physics are strictly enforced. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
