converting a digital camera (for better batteries)

brightonman123

I have a compact digital camera, using rechargable AA.. get 30-40 or so shots before need to recharge or put fresh ones in..

anyway to adapt the battery bay, to take a longer life battery (lithium? as used on SLR's..?)

thinking of a dummy battery pod, with lead to external pack..

neilwoods

Anything is possible. But it may be down to the actual batteries you are suing. What batteries are you using

fwor

I've thought about this before, and actually done something similar (with a MiniDisc player) a few years ago.

It can be done, but it's a lot of work and, for example, you have to modify the camera for the cable to exit, and make up quite a complicated dummy battery pack if it takes more than one AA.

As the previous post implies, it's going to be a lot easier to consider higher capacity AA rechargeables and carrying more spares.

pogofish

What is the mAh rating of the batteries you are using and the capacity of the charger?

Because if it is a low capacity, simply switching to a much higher capacity cell and properly charging it may be all you need to do.

Nilrem

pogofish wrote: »

What is the mAh rating of the batteries you are using and the capacity of the charger?

Because if it is a low capacity, simply switching to a much higher capacity cell and properly charging it may be all you need to do.

Aye, AA rechargable batteries vary from about 600ma (older nicad), to 2800ma+ (high power nimh's).

Checking the rating of the battery (usually printed on the side), and getting some high capacity NIMH's, or even some of the "stay charged" NIMH type batteries (if the camera might be left unused for a while) will likely make a huge difference.

IIRC a set of decent Nimh batteries and smart charger can be had for about a tenner.

torbrex

If the camera takes AA rechargable batteries why not just use lithium instead? they are the same physical size.

Even with the 2300 NIMH rechargable ones, I barely get a dozen photo's although my camera is bigger than a compact but not an SLR digital. I get about 250 using lithium batteries.

baby_frogmella

what you need are the highest rated low discharge AA rechargeable batteries. The 2500mah ansmann or eneloop x are both excellent. I'm using the ansmanns in my fujifilm hs20 camera and get a good 300+ shots before the batteries weaken. Have a look at the reviews!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ansmann-AA-Maxe-Batteries-2500mAh/dp/B002HFL5AU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1334901679&sr=8-2
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eneloop-batteries-2500-mAh-NiMH/dp/B004DW7S06/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1334901703&sr=8-11

Norman_Castle

Check your charging times by matching the output of your charger with the capacity of your batteries http://www.uniross.com/eu/help-faq-charging-times.php Dont rely on timed chargers, the fixed times will only suit certain batteries. I had similar problems. My timed charger would switch off after 7 hours. Matching the charger output to the batteries they needed 24 hours. When charged properly the batteries lasted much longer.
One or more of your batteries may be failing. Try them individually in a torch or similar.

sillygoose

In my experience the 'quoted' mah rating of rechargeables is a meaningless guide. I tried many very high mah rated AA batteries and the camera showed low battery warnings very quickly. I paid a few quid more for 'lower' mah rated Duracell ones and it was a revelation. They last many times longer and self-discharge is negligible so the camera is always ready to use. Its about time trading standards put most these Nimh manufacturers claims to the test and bought some prosecutions - some are clearly taking the mickey.

cajef

I use Sanyo XX Enloops in my Nikon bridge camera, I use a good intelligent charger and get well over 300 shots on one charge.

neilwoods

sillygoose wrote: »

In my experience the 'quoted' mah rating of rechargeables is a meaningless guide. I tried many very high mah rated AA batteries and the camera showed low battery warnings very quickly. I paid a few quid more for 'lower' mah rated Duracell ones and it was a revelation. They last many times longer and self-discharge is negligible so the camera is always ready to use. Its about time trading standards put most these Nimh manufacturers claims to the test and bought some prosecutions - some are clearly taking the mickey.

How many batteries does your camera take though.