Is my only option as an AC adapter to purchase the $165 charger from Canon? Mine just sits there with no lights. I have a cheap charger I bought on eBay, but I can no longer plug my XH A1 in, which sucks for stationary shoots.

yikes.. $165. I hope the HX-A1 owners on here have some suggestions. I'm going to subscribe to this thread if I get the XH-A1 and need this also.

Is it still under warranty?

Is my only option as an AC adapter to purchase the $165 charger from Canon? Mine just sits there with no lights. I have a cheap charger I bought on eBay, but I can no longer plug my XH A1 in, which sucks for stationary shoots.

I bought an Energizer Duo charger kit for Canon BP900 series batteries along with my XH-A1 for £42 and it works fine, but I'll need to check if it can be used to power the camera directly like the Canon charger.

EDIT: Nope, as i thought, the DC power coupler can't be plugged in to the Energiser charger unit. But it does charge 2 batteries at once if required (hence the "Duo")

I have a charger for sale if you are interested. Let me know.

This adapter is listed as compatible with the XH-A1 at some camera stores. The original Canon battery charger CA-920 says 8.4V for battery charging, 7.2 V for camera/VTR.

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Concepts-Universal-Adapter-Cameras/dp/B0002DDZ6G

Picture of adapters included

http://www.cyber-development.com/digital-concepts-ch-1010-universal-multi-voltage-a.html

there are quite a few Low cost battery chargers for Canon BP series batteries, it's best to double check with suppliers about compatibility:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/399368-REG/Impact_CMBP900_CM_BP900_Mini_AC_DC_Battery.html

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Concepts-Ch-3450-Universal-Batteries/dp/B000EGO77W

http://www.sakar.com/p-1160.aspx?categoryid=139

As with any third party acessories, buyer beware. I bought an $9 battery charger for JVC batteries and it has worked fine for 5 years. However an AC adapter may be more critical as far as having constant voltage, burnout protection etc.

The charger/ direct power unit for the XH A1 has a proprietry connector for the power lead to the A1.

The unit for the XL1s/ XL1 doesn't.

I would suggest either:

1. Get a competent techie to fix your current unit (doesn't have to be Canon).

OR

2. Buy an XL1/ XL1s unit second hand and use that for both battery charging/ direct power. The camera end connector works in both the A1 & XL1 series cameras.

OR

3. Cut the proprietry connector off your Canon A1 direct power lead and fit a non proprietry connector that will fit the power out socket of whatever power supply you manage to get your hands on.

If in any doubt about doing this, search out someone who knows what they are doing.

The price of a screw up will be high indeed.


CS