Recharging Batteries Question
 

Is it always better to not overcharge batteries? Like some battery chargers will blink or flash or indicate if the battery is fully charged or 50% or 25%... I've heard its not good to leave it on forever, so once its charged up to 100%, just take off the battery cause maybe the Lithium can leak or some other battery errors?

I don't think you can overcharge these batteries. Can you?

When mine are fully charged, I just remove them from the charging unit. Sometimes I forget, though, but never noticed any problems as a result of this.

Never leave a battery on a charger for more than 24 hours (there are a few exceptions). The residual heat buildup in most batteries will decrease their overall life. The exceptions I mentioned are the so-called smart batteries and chargers. These combinations use sensors to monitor the charging condition, including temperature, of the individual cells and adjust the charge rate, amperage, etc.

I have no hard evidence of it, nor did I read anything in the first two years of owning DV cameras, warning of damage from leaving batteries to recharge overlong. But I did apparently do damage to two NP-F550s leaving them to charge in my back-up camera. They're good for about ten minutes now. I've been very careful with my sole NP-F750 and can shoot for hours with it.


David Hurdon

Yes you can overcharge some batteries. It is best, when buying charges, to get smart chargers that shut off when batteries are full.

Most of the smart chargers aren't the smart kind I referred to because the batteries don't contain the necessary components. Most after market smart chargers switch to a trickle charge. This can be just a dangerous. If the batteries feel warm, the charger is slowly killing the batteries.

I currently use the CA-920 for my GL2 batteries (BP-930s and BP-945s). Hmm... the thing is that I never know when the batteries are fully charged up. Usually, I just remove them when the blinker on the charger stops (means fully charged), but sometimes that won't be until I leave it overnight and wake up, and stuff...What should I do? :/

Like I said in my first post, never leave a battery on a charger for more than 24 hours.

Do you know if some batteries are supposed to be charge a certain amount of time?

Most camera manufactures supply that data in the owners manual. However, the times given only apply to their chargers/batteries and certain temperatures and humidity. I think you're probably over analyzing this, David. Your batteries will be fine as long as you don't leave them on a charger for more than 24 hours, don't expose to high temperatures (above 100F) and charge the batteries after use, if possible.

Has any one out here got any idea about the charging for a ANTON BAUER TRIM PACK & Hytron120 battry using a Titan T170 Charger/Adopter...do these abttries also get screwed when over charged or being left on charger over night !

Bankim,

AB Batteries on an AB charger is exactly what Jeff was talking about when he said "Smart Chargers". There is special circuitry in the battery and charger that let them communicate. The charger is able to monitor battery temp, charge/discharge rates, number of charge/discharge cycles and other data. There is no problem leaving those batteries on the charger till you're ready to use them.

Here is a link to all the info you ever want to know (plus some) about batteries

http://www.antonbauer.com/pdf-files/2002Handbook.pdf

and a quote from the Hytron Owners Manual

"The battery should remain on the charger until just prior to being
used. The patented LifeSaver maintenance routine keeps the battery 100% charged and balanced by eliminating the typical self-discharge that can cripple a battery that is stored for any length of time on the shelf."

Here is a link that should hold usefull information for everyone. I know it has helped me to preserve batteries of all construction.

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/index.htm

Sorry, I don't know how to make live links...