Also have had XL1S for several years and no pixel problem.
Are they exposed to direct sunlight in the lense ?or some other source of bright light?With the repeated failures and not many others having the same problem that there is something specific to your situation.
I wouldn't expect the batteries to cause this the internal voltage regulation should stabilize them .However you may want to check each battery against the canon tech spec

Car Charger & Batteries for XL1
 

I am going to to be shooting a mini-doc about about a 128 mile charity bike ride in a couple months, so I need to make sure that I can stay charged for shooting all day long without any AC power.

I have heard tale of car chargers for the XL1, but can't find one... can someone point me in the right direction?

Also I am interested in peoples experience in terms of how quickly they charge. If it takes 6 hours, it will not really be useful to me... Can you run the camera directly off the car batter through the adapter?

Anyone have a guess on how many batteries I should bring, or which batteries recharge the most quickly? Certainly I am not shooting for twelve hours straight... mostly it would be some B-Roll during the riding, and then probably six 1/2 hour shoots during their breaks.

It starts early, also, so I may need to bring a light.... i will definitely try to find one that runs on it's own battery or on the car, though.

Any other input is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=716077

I dont have one so I cant vouch for it, but it looks like a good deal, I was going to buy one, but I just bought another 945 battery they were selling for fifty bucks (havent used it yet)

i got a charger off ebay that came with a 9v car adapter. i shot a music video in a garage (forgot a/c adapter) and was able to charge batteries in the car. cost around 20-30 bucks shipped.

I don't have a car charger... instead I have a DC to AC converter that I use.

I find that to be more versatile. It plugs into the car's cigarette lighter (what do you call those things now that no manufacturer actually puts a lighter in it anymore??)

It has 3 power outlets on it, so I can plug in my charger, and anything else I might need.

I've used it on location shoots before where a generator would have been overkill, but I needed to power my on set monitor, a charger, and a deck.

You can pick one up at Home Depot, or any place like that.

Just a suggestion.


And yes, you should be able to run the camera off of this.
Just check the power requirements on your camera to make sure.

CAUTION! CAUTION! CAUTION!

Sorry for the caps, folks, but I would suggest that you hesitate before plugging into your car battery.

This is an INTERNATIONAL community. Therefore, some vehicles used by the inhabitants are 6 volt; some are 12 volt; and, some 24 volt.

If you do not have the know how, I would suggest that you check with an auto mechanic, and/or, an electrician for compatibility.

Good advice Robert, but I think that the manufacturers would make versions specific to the geographic region they are meant for. I suspect that Europeans have power inverters that can take 6VDC to 220AC to use Luis's suggestion(I know others that do this same thing). It's not that difficult to make a different output voltage. Perhaps Rob L. or someone else can chime in from that part of the globe.

Barry, the Canon VL10 light will use its own Canon style battery so it won't be pulling from the main camera battery. There was one listed in the Private Classifieds recently that you might want to check into.

regards,

-gb-

Greg.

Open the package up for your plug in. I have never yet seen a reference to variant volt systems world wide. Most of this stuff is sold generically. It might be made for local use. Than, again, it just may be for "sale" on the world wide market.

My whole point was that the folk's in the community might not understand that you and I might be savy; but, that they take what is writ in this forum as gospel.

When it comes to electrical connectors, when in doubt check it out……First!

"When it comes to electrical connectors, when in doubt check it out……First!"

Good advice Robert.
I'm sorry I didn't think to mention that myself.

The last thing I need is someone posting, 'I followed Luis's advice and now my XL2 is on fire!'

Canon battery car charger for the XL1/XL1-s batteries:

CB-910 or CB-920

I have one and works perfect.

Best regards,
Arnaldo

Cheap batteries in the UK?
 

Hello all, sorry if this has been covered many times - I tried searching the forums but most, if not all, of the answers seemed to be U.S.A-centric.
I'm looking for for batteries that are higher capacity than the one that came supplied with my xl1s. The only problem is I can't afford Canon's prices right now. Any suggestions as to where I can buy in the UK and what to look for would be great.

The cheapest I could find that at least appeared to be decent was here :

http://www.gmkbatteries.co.uk/acatal...45battery.html

£42.99 for a BP945 Two Year Guarantee.
Voltage : 7.2V.
Capacity : 5550 mAh.
Type : Lithium-Ion.
Approx. Max Run Time : 8 hours.
Colour : Black.
Dimensions : H 61mm x W 38mm x L 71mm.
Weight : 302g.

Any good ? I really don't know what to look for!


Oh, and a supplier of cheap Sony Premium tapes would be nice too...

So many demands... :)

Lee

Hi Lee

I have purchased a Power2000 battery in August 2004 from www.bugeyedigtal.com (US not UK unfortunately) for XL1
(see http://www.bugeyedigital.com/product_main/ide-acd.html)

Battery (ACD-625) is completely outperforming any of Canon's batteries and is lasting waaaaayyy longer! The price is very good (US$60 - a fraction of Canon's price) and shipping costs very low!

Regards
Danie

Hi Lee,

Try Jessops, they do there own brand version of the canon batteries. I have a few and they work quite well.

Hope this helps,

Lee,

Check out ebay i have just bought 2 batterys from a seller called Vgamer 3000 from the USA, replacement batterys for Canon BP 945, £1 +£6 postage each! I think it was in Camcorders or Proffesional video.

They work fine and what a price!!!!!!!

Hope this Helps

Hello and thanks all for your suggestions, I ended up buying the battery I posted above ( it's by Energizer ) and it's just charging at the moment so I can't comment on how good ( or bad ) it is. Having said that, I will now check out the eBay item you've just mentioned as it sounds too good to be true! I will take your recommendation and put it to good use.

I'll let you know how I get on with my £42.99 outlay...

Lee

Charging Battery
 

I am trying to charge the battery on a friend's XL1

He gave me the charger and I snapped the battery on there, but no lights
come on. Can somone help me?

And yes, it is plugged in the outlet. lol


Thanks,
David

Dear David,

There is a cable that is used to power the Xl1(s) from the power supply/battery charger. This plugs into the side of the battery charger.

If you wish to charge a battery, this cable must be unplugged and the battery placed into the proper position on top of the charger.

If this is done, then the red light should blink while charging.

Three rapid blinks indicates that the battery is more than 75% charged. Full on indicates that the charge is complete.

Hey thanks so much!!

I got it charging now!

David

generic batteries???
 

i was just curious. i wanted to buy some batteries for my xl1s and noticed that on ebay they have a bunch of batteries for $12.00 that are generic brand. is there a way for a cheap battery to short out my camera or ruin it? would i be better off buying a brnad name battery? anyone have expierence with generic batteries?

thanks,
mike

Can't speak to out-and-out generics, you would have to dig into them and see what they really are inside. Some may be OK, others may be trash or seconds with a short usable life. There are reputable after-market brand name batteries that sell for less than half the Canon brand name that work fine. I've used Lenmar with good results.

I have been happy with Power101 batteries for my Canon Xl1s.

Their website is www.power101.com.

Their current cost for BP-945 style is $12.31 plus $9 shipping for the first battery, $6 for subsequent batteries in the same order.

I purchased 12 almost a year ago and they all work fine.

Power101 states that it is best to keep the batteries charged. Allowing one to stay in a discharged state for months, according to Power101, shortens the life of the battery.

These are rated at 6000mah (milliamp-hours), but I do not have an easy way to test if this is true, it may be optimistic. They seem to perform equal to or better than the original Canon BP-945 which was rated at 4500mah.

I do not believe that you will hurt your camera, or your charger, with these batteries.

I own several (6) generic 8-hour batteries and they have worked perfectly.
I don't know what else to say except they are worth every penny I spent (and saved!).

I can shoot all day with my XL1S and my GL2 on the six batteries and not have to stop to recharge anything.

Cheers!

Battery Charger help
 

I currently have a BP-941 battery and 2 BP-930 batteries for my XL1s. I need a charger but dont know what to look for.

I was thinking of:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...e=STRK:MEWA:IT

or:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...e=STRK:MEWA:IT

Am I on the right track and do these look like good sellers? Don't know if I should go for the dual charger (if it's any good?) or get the extra battery. Right now, I'm not sure if the batteries I have have a lot of juice left or not since I got the camera used. What to do?

All that I know is that aftermarket batteries tend to be really cheesy, and might only last a couple months.

There might be one or two out there that might last a while, but I haven't seen them yet.

That's what I was worried about. What about the chargers are they pretty much standard? Can anyone else recommend a battery and charger? Something online would probably work best since I'm in Ontario.

What about this charger. A lot more $ but from a reputable source. Does a charger really make a difference?

http://www.vistek.ca/details/details...VideoBatteries

I also see factory batteries for almost $250. What about a good charger with an after market battery?

Hi Christopher,

For that money, how about going with Canon? You know it'll work! I found this at B & H:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...rch&Q=&ci=2041
Canon Price : $ 84.99

Shipping Cost

CA-550 Compact AC Power Adapter / Charger - for ES-8100V, 6500V, ES-55V and 50V Camcorders

Mfr # 3026A001 • B&H # CACA550
Availability : In Stock

low battery indication
 

why do I constantly get the low battery indication on my viewfinder even when the battery I am using is new or fully charged? that is really weird.

Which viewfinder? The standard color LCD, or the optional monochrome CRT?

Chris,

I get this indication on my standard color viewfinder. No matter if I am using brand new (fully charged) batteries or even the adapter! Actually the indication I am getting is the one that warns of "backup battery not being properly installed or needing replacement"! isn't that strange?

Frank, have you tried replacing the little hearing-aid style backup battery located under the panel on the camera's right side, in front of the tape transport chassis? This might be your problem. The battery type is a Panasonic CR2025 and it is not expensive, in the U.S. you can find them for under one dollar each, surely the price is just as reasonable in Athens. Try that, and see if it clears up this problem...?

FWIW: I've observed that the life of the back-up battery is onthe order of 1 to 2 years depending on how fresh the replacement battery was.

Canon Batteries XL1S
 

I can not find anywhere the Canon Product of the 945 battery. For some reason everywhere I look genaric batteries have taken over. Does no one sell canon batteries anymore ?

Any help would be great as I need two batteries for two weeks away...

B&H photo has them listed in their catalog, page 221.

I've been running the generic batteries, no problems so far, work just as the real BP-945s, and a lot less expensive. Batteries are mostly just that, batteries. Brand names don't power your equipment, electrons do.

Thanks for the feed back guys.

Gotta agree! I'm using generics bought off ebay with great success! (Four generics cost me roughly the same as one "Canon" battery.) But, yeah, if you really want the Canon brand name, I'd start with B&H.

I've got a couple of generics from different places. The cases on two of them split where they are attached to the 'face' and I had to super glue it back together. So there's probably some build quality issues in the lower priced brands.

Ok so what about the Miah???
The stock canons are 4500miah and the generic range from 5000 to 7000miah.
Which models are you guys using with no problems?

By miah, do you mean the mAh rating? You know that it stands for milliamps per hour right? The easist way to think of it is that a 4500 mAh battery can also be called a 4.5 Ah (Amp/hour) battery. It has a 4500 milliamp capacity, while a 7000 mAh battery has a 7000 milliamp capacity. In this case, the 7000 should give you longer service per charge than the 4500.

To answer your question another way, I don't know the "model", that's why I call it generic. I assume the batteries I'm using are all from different manufacturers since I got them from different vendors. (as always, I could be wrong) I look at what the sellers call "same as BP-945", then I look to see if the mAh rating is roughly the same or better than the original Canon battery. Personally, I don't trust the generic's ratings, just that it was intended to be an equivalent battery.

I hope I was helpful and not confusing.

Oh, and BTW, I keep many spares handy "just in case"!

Good luck!

Mark