Rechargeable battery

[RayLi]

I have two rechageable batteries: NP-FS11 and NP-FS21 for my DCR-PC5E camcorder. They have been chaged about 10 times and the service life is reducing each charge and now each charge works for 10-20 minutes. I did not use the camcorder frequently, approximate a few times a year. According to the spec, the batteries should have 500 charges of life time. Can someone tell me the proper method to charge this type of batteries.

Thanks,

Ray

[bb]

Welcome to the forum!

I don't know what kind of rechargable batteries you have (Li-ion or ni-mh), but what you describe sounds like the batteries are not good. Generally you can extend battery lifetime by completely discharging the batteries and reloading them several times. There are special charging devices to do that for regular batteries (like AA or AAA type), but for your special kind of batteries you probably have to live with the charging device which came with your camcorder.

So all I could recommend is unload the batteries completely, recharge them, and repeat this procedure three to four times. If this doesn't help, I guess you have to replace the batteries.

bb

[RayLi]

BB

Thanks for your reply. The batteries are Li-ion. How to properly unload the battery? Normally, I use the battery until the yellow battery warning appears on the LCD display or the auto shut off due to low battery. The existing battery lifes are far out of expection. Do I need to do some special discharges?

Thanks,

Ray

[bb]

Li-ion batteries don't need this procedure, because they don't have the so-called "memory effect". I guess your batteries aren't good anymore (or have never been)...

bb

[vhelp]

@ RayLi (and others)

I know this is an old post, but I'm in the middle of "searching" and
came accross this (and I'm bored) and I read it :)

Anyways..

I have the Sony TRV22 cam. I think it's a great cam (so far for now)
and I can't complain really. But, it's battery life sort of sucks.
I'm using the battery that came w/ the unit. Personally, I don't believe
that one should go out and replace a battery unless it's truely a cheap
battery or they need one for backup purposes etc.

Anyways.., my battery dies too often, and I just hate that. I have my
cam w/ me almost all the time, for those once in a lifetime shoots, or
"you never know.." shots. Anyways, here's a technique I'm happy to
share w/ you all here :)

* I use a 12 volt battery. Looks like those old 9volt latern types, but
is 1amp and heavy duty for $18 bucks.

* I connect a 50watt AC/Converter to it (for 120v house current)

* And, I hook up my cam to this, and I have virtually unlimited power
..(use of my cam all day w/out issues) :)

I mostly use this setup for outdoors, though a bit closmy, I'm curently
working on a more neater looking rig.. any hints would be welcomed.
Yeah, I have yet to re-charge this 12v 'ter and I usually take it out
on weekends, outdoors for nature shots and things, and still haven't
recharded the unit. It's really great !!

Think about all, if you think it's not such a clumsy rig for your endeavors.

-vhelp