Bescor battery

[Funkycoldg]

Hey,

Does anyone know if Bescor batteries ship fully charged. I just got one for my new on camera light and wanted to make sure that since the light wasnt coming on that the battery was dead, since I have no way of testing either one without each other. I wanted to make sure because I know they have strict rules when it comes to charging them.

Thanks,
John G.

 

[vidled]

What chemistry battery is it?
Lithium Ion, NiCad, NiMH?

Most batteries would ship in their ideal "storage" condition, with Li Ion that would be about 40% - 50% charged.

 

[Funkycoldg]

They are Starved Electrolyte batteries. Its funny they wouldnt tell u since you have to charge them pretty exact.

Thanks for the reply,
John

 

[vidled]

Oh, haha, didn't even think about THOSE!!
Well, you might want to check the voltage. Those normally ship somewhat charged, sometimes even fully charged, BUT SHOULD NOT be completely discharged.
Once you're up and running, always recharge the battery after using it, or even when not using it (i.e. once a month or so). They don't mind to be trickle charged either.

 

[Funkycoldg]

Thanks...don't I need something to check it with. I think I remember using one before. Doesn't it have a cigarette plug on it and that's attached to a alittle screen? Sorry If I sound dumb but I cant seem to remember. If there is another way let me know. Also let me know what they are called and where I can find this voltage "checker". I have a a job tommorrow and am charging the battery right now since the light didnt even turn on.

John G.

 

[vidled]

Oh, okay, well, if you already have it on a charger, the point of checking the voltage at its discharged state has passed.
So, leave it on the charger overnight (assuming the charger and battery combination is okay with that). Hopefully by tomorrow morning all is well.

A small multimeter is always a good thing to have, something like this one will do:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90939

 

[Daniel_Runyon]

My starved electrolyte from Bescor came uncharged....congratulations on the ball and chain! It's so ungodly heavy I only use it when I have zero choice.

 

[smkoch]

my battery from bescor came uncharged aswell

 

[vidled]

Yikes.
Lead acid, incl. starved electrolyte batteries, do not like to be discharged for a long period. I can only assume that those battries you speak of here were old new stock, and therefore discharged through the natural self-discharge of the battery. Not very good though.
A lead acid battery likes to be topped off every now and then, for maximum capacity retention. It can help to discharge every now and then, but NOT LEAVE it discharged for any length of time.