Sony NPF970 battery - unexpected drop in capacity at DVinfo.net

Eric Gan · September 12th, 2007, 05:49 PM

I have an NPF970 battery that is less than 6 months old, and probably charged fewer than 15 times. All of my 970 batteries charge up to about 350 minutes operating time as shown on the FX1. This one has suddenly dropped to 170 minutes upon full charging.

Is there anything I can do to "reset" this battery? I find it hard to believe that the capacity dropped off so quickly. I've had other 970 batteries for years and they still charge up to well over 300 minutes. Is it also a coincidence that the capacity is almost exactly half of what I would expect? Perhaps a cell is damaged inside?

Thanks for any insight.

Don Bloom · September 12th, 2007, 09:35 PM

sounds exactly like a cell blew. Once that happens you can't fix it, at least as far as I know. it happened to one of my Lenmar batteries a few ago and since it was still within the factory 2 year warrany they replaced it N/C.
Perhaps you could check to see if Sony will replace it for you.

Don

Eric Gan · September 13th, 2007, 01:40 AM

Thanks Don. That's what I suspected. It's actually a bit worrisome because of all these horror stories about exploding laptop and cellphone batteries. I might just retire this one or put it up on fleaBay.

Darn, these original Sony batteries don't come cheap. I might have to give those $25 OEM batteries a try and hope they don't blow up!

Cheers,

Don Bloom · September 13th, 2007, 06:19 AM

Eric,
Check to see if Sony will replace it for you considering the age they might.
Doubtful but they might. That way you'll save yourself some bucks!
Don

Steven Davis · September 13th, 2007, 06:49 AM

Yeah, just fill out a sony replacement slip, send it in, and see if Sony feels that sending you a new one might be a good publicity gesture.

Duncan Craig · September 19th, 2007, 08:51 AM

Just a thought, have you used the battery in another type of Sony camera.

One of mine went funky when I used it in a VX2000, the Z1 reports odd times remaining now, but it still runs for longer than expected. The charger has the same time reporting problems on this battery.

Also I can recommend the Swit version of the 970 - the S-8970
It's nicely made and run a little longer than my Sony 970s seem to go.

Christian Magnussen · September 19th, 2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Gan

Darn, these original Sony batteries don't come cheap. I might have to give those $25 OEM batteries a try and hope they don't blow up!

Make sure you buy enough, 2 out the 4 i got with my Z1 cam bought used(i was warned in advance) can only be used to power a light..and only one of the two remaining lasts as long as the original 970.
And one of the OEM one's often stop working when i use it with my Bebob light/transformer combo, the original again never does that.

So while the Sony's might be a bit to expensive they also seem to be a bit better than the OEM one's i've got, after all batteries for thees smaller cams arent even close to what the AB/IDX/PAG systems cost...even if you buy original sony.

Giroud Francois · September 19th, 2007, 03:13 PM

i fixed already several batteries like this one.
if you do not need it, i will take it.
using a cutter you just cust all around (where the cover is glued to the plate).
Take care , it is an easy step to cut one finger or two.
then you check for the cells and replace the faulty one(s).
you wrap it back with scotch tape.
it will be not really pretty , but it works.
sometimes i just replaced all elements keeping just the case and electronic.

For sure, using it with a damaged cell can cause the other element to burn or explode, so stop using it until it is fixed.
I always try to charge my batteries into a metallic can , so in case of problem, there is no danger.
i got once an element that burned (it was not even charging, just stored on a table ), and it is pretty frightening to know it could happen at night when you sleep or in the plane you are flying with (how many camera in a plane going to Cancun ?)

Bob Grant · September 19th, 2007, 05:15 PM

I can confirm what Giroud is saying here. We put a faulty battery on a shelf and sometime later noticed there was a burn mark on the shelf and a hole melted in the side of the battery. I think care needs to be taken even when disposing of these things as well as storing / transporting them.

September 12th, 2007, 05:49 PM	#1
Eric Gan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 187	Sony NPF970 battery - unexpected drop in capacity I have an NPF970 battery that is less than 6 months old, and probably charged fewer than 15 times. All of my 970 batteries charge up to about 350 minutes operating time as shown on the FX1. This one has suddenly dropped to 170 minutes upon full charging. Is there anything I can do to "reset" this battery? I find it hard to believe that the capacity dropped off so quickly. I've had other 970 batteries for years and they still charge up to well over 300 minutes. Is it also a coincidence that the capacity is almost exactly half of what I would expect? Perhaps a cell is damaged inside? Thanks for any insight.

September 13th, 2007, 06:49 AM	#5
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Yeah, just fill out a sony replacement slip, send it in, and see if Sony feels that sending you a new one might be a good publicity gesture. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

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September 12th, 2007, 09:35 PM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	sounds exactly like a cell blew. Once that happens you can't fix it, at least as far as I know. it happened to one of my Lenmar batteries a few ago and since it was still within the factory 2 year warrany they replaced it N/C. Perhaps you could check to see if Sony will replace it for you. Don

September 13th, 2007, 01:40 AM	#3
Eric Gan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 187	Thanks Don. That's what I suspected. It's actually a bit worrisome because of all these horror stories about exploding laptop and cellphone batteries. I might just retire this one or put it up on fleaBay. Darn, these original Sony batteries don't come cheap. I might have to give those $25 OEM batteries a try and hope they don't blow up! Cheers,

September 13th, 2007, 06:19 AM	#4
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	Eric, Check to see if Sony will replace it for you considering the age they might. Doubtful but they might. That way you'll save yourself some bucks! Don

September 19th, 2007, 08:51 AM	#6
Duncan Craig Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 660 Images: 10	Just a thought, have you used the battery in another type of Sony camera. One of mine went funky when I used it in a VX2000, the Z1 reports odd times remaining now, but it still runs for longer than expected. The charger has the same time reporting problems on this battery. Also I can recommend the Swit version of the 970 - the S-8970 It's nicely made and run a little longer than my Sony 970s seem to go.

September 19th, 2007, 03:13 PM	#8
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	i fixed already several batteries like this one. if you do not need it, i will take it. using a cutter you just cust all around (where the cover is glued to the plate). Take care , it is an easy step to cut one finger or two. then you check for the cells and replace the faulty one(s). you wrap it back with scotch tape. it will be not really pretty , but it works. sometimes i just replaced all elements keeping just the case and electronic. For sure, using it with a damaged cell can cause the other element to burn or explode, so stop using it until it is fixed. I always try to charge my batteries into a metallic can , so in case of problem, there is no danger. i got once an element that burned (it was not even charging, just stored on a table ), and it is pretty frightening to know it could happen at night when you sleep or in the plane you are flying with (how many camera in a plane going to Cancun ?)

September 19th, 2007, 05:15 PM	#9
Bob Grant Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 1,570	I can confirm what Giroud is saying here. We put a faulty battery on a shelf and sometime later noticed there was a burn mark on the shelf and a hole melted in the side of the battery. I think care needs to be taken even when disposing of these things as well as storing / transporting them.