Digital Camera Battery Problem?
Posted by adminApr 30
I have a Kodak C433 Zoom Digital Camera. I had it for over a year now and lately I’ve been noticing something weird. One day, I charged my batteries over night and the next day I stuck the batteries in my camera. Later, when I wanted to use my camera, I turned it on and it said the batteries were low/dead. How can batteries die inside a camera when its not even on? Anyways, I decided to stop putting batteries in my camera until I was ready to use it. It did help but I wish it wasn’t like that. My friend told me that the same thing happened to her dad’s camera, but they can’t figure out what was wrong with it either. So I was wondering if this has happened to any of you and if this is normal. Is it just the batteries? Or do you think its the camera? Please answer, even with a guess. I’m thinking about getting a new camera anyways but I still would like to know incase it happens to me again. Thank you!
By the way, I use AA 1800 mAh 1.2V Kodak Rechargables.
7 comments
Comment by ozzer p on 04/30/2011 at 10:23 am
Rechargeable batteries require the frequent discharge/recharge cycle to stay alive.
Comment by Kourtney on 04/30/2011 at 11:07 am
This same thing has happened to me with every single camera I have ever had. I have always had a FugiFilm Finepix, and I used to have some fugi rechargeable batteries that came with the camera and they worked great for several months and then they they died. After that my mom bought me some energizer rechargeable batteries and I would completely charge them and put them in the camera and it would say the batteries are dying. I’ve had about 5 fugifilm cameras over the last 2 years, and with every one comes the same problem with the batteries. Now we just buy normal non chargeable batteries and they last about an hours worth of picture taking. Way longer than the rechargeable batteries.
Comment by Bob on 04/30/2011 at 11:29 am
Most rechargeable batteries will lose about 1 percent of their charge per day so over a month that is about 30 % and 60% over two months. If the camera is “off” they should not run down any faster than normal. There are some newer “Hybrid” batteries designed to not self discharge by Rayovak that last much longer and cost about the same. They us a newer technology and are available at the Wal-Mart Photo department. Cost: 4 for 10 dollars.
Good luck. Bob
Comment by moodyjr2000 on 04/30/2011 at 11:45 am
It happens to every single camera using rechargable batteries. I also have Kodak digicam, i had to change ma batteries when it stated to give me the same message and at that moment they were not working longer and the images sometimes comes out blured a bit, so i would say it’s a common desease.
Comment by Monkey M on 04/30/2011 at 12:45 pm
Ni-Mh batteries self discharge quickly. Its best to keep your batteries in a trickle-charger like the Rayovac PS-3 until you use them.
Ni-Mh batteries also have an odd quirk….they tend to hold more charge the more you use them. After a few hundred charges they will then begin to drop off in capacity, but out of the box they seem to need a few charge/discharge cycles before they work well.
Brand is also important. Generic no-name chinese batteries don’t work as well as name brand, even if they have a higher MAh rating. Yes I know, ALL batteries nowadays are made in China, but the name brand manufacturers dictate higher quality standards than generics.
You also might want to test individual cells. One bum cell that discharges very fast can ruin your day. Find out which one it is and toss it! Its not worth your time.
There are newer low-discharge NiMh cells available but they’re just coming into the market. Sanyo makes one called the Eneloop.
Comment by JT on 04/30/2011 at 1:10 pm
lots of digital cameras use a ton of battery power in little time, i would try getting energizer e square lithium batteries
Comment by stan l on 04/30/2011 at 2:07 pm
Throw away the Kodak crap and buy some good batteries and a good charger. I use Maha Powerex 2700 mAh Ni-Mh rechargeables with the Maha C-204W charger, these things are amazing. NO MORE BATTERY PROBLEMS. You get what you pay for. Try http://www.thomasdistributing.com.