HVX200 Batteries

M

morisato

Active member
Okay, I just received my HVX batteries from Jared and looking at the package sparked a topic in my mind. I noticed that there wasnt any instructions that came with the batteries. I guess only an idiot would buy batteries that he didnt know how to use.

My question is this though:

To prolong the battery life, would you completely drain each battery before recharging or would you never let the battery completely discharge?

The reason I ask this is because I've heard both sides to this. The two sides are:

1. Discharge your batteries completely before recharging to prolong max capacity.

2. Always recharge your batteries completely before storing and always remember to top off your stored batteries every 6 months as they will gradually lose their charge over time.

I've seen both warnings and they seem to contradict eachother. Can anyone shine some light on this one?

BTW: Should I charge these new batteries before use? They seem charged (by weight).
 
As far as I know the kinds of batteries you use on the HVX don't need to be completely discharged before recharging them. We do it at my school all the time..... after shows we just throw half-used batteries on the charger.... They've worked for the three years that I've been there. It really doesn't matter if they're completely discharge or are half- used before going on the charger. We get about 3 hours out of them (batteries that come with DVX).

And when it comes to storing I think it be better to have them at full charge, that way if you're in a rush and need to grab some, you don't have to go is this one fully charged..... and then being unsure you'd have to take the camera out, and try it, ect..
I've never heard of these kinds of batteries losing charge over time, if they sit... but I could be wrong, we're constantly shooting at my school.

Now the thing I've heard is to discharge and then re-charge your batteries every 6 months as it can give them a longer life span.
 
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When it comes to rechargeable batteries, the criteria for charging, draining, and storing varies, i.e. there are numerous chemistries that require different procedures.

Your Li-Ion battery (the HVX one you have) does NOT need to be discharged fully. You can charge it at any time. Use only a Li-Ion charger though; as they don't like being trickle charged after reaching full capacity.

You will also have to define STORAGE when you are talking about a battery, as there is short term storage and long term storage. Short term (a few days/weeks) can be done at full capacity. Long term storage (a month +) should be done with a partially drained battery (about 1/3 full) and in cold temperatures (fridge).

Another note: your NEW Li-Ion battery will reach its full capacity after a few times of use. So, techincally it will hold a better charge after a few uses, then it will slowly get worse.

Here's some specific battery chemistry info:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...ge&Q=Product_Resources/Battery_Guidelines.jsp
 
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