Steve'sDigicams

BillP2R · Jan 26, 2007, 9:57 PM

I was surprised to find the instructions that come with the Nikon EN-EL3e recommend storing in a discharged state and charging before use, while other Li-Ion using devices advertise that their batteries are always ready to go and that includes the spare batteries.

Does anyone besides Nikon recommend discharging their Li-Ion batteries before storage?

Also, how do other Nikon DSLR users manage their batteries?

-------------------------- Bill

reppans · Jan 26, 2007, 11:08 PM

Advertising is just to get you to buy...
Instructions tell you how to operate and be good to your equipment...

Yup, keeping Li-ions at full charge, and not using them, wears on them

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium...ure_and_charge

That's one of the reasons I went back to AAs and carry Alkalines for spares.

Biggest limiting factor on portable electronics is the battery.

kenbalbari · Jan 27, 2007, 1:55 PM

Store it about halfway charged and stick it in the refrigerator (but take it out and let it warm up again before using).

ac.smith · Feb 8, 2007, 9:23 PM

The recommendation of storing Li rechargeables 40% charge at 32 F is to maximize the life of the batteries. Are you really storing the batteries? Or are you using the batteries? If you only take pictures at Christmas and July 4th then you are storing them most of the time. Follow the storage recommendations and charge them (after warming) before use. If you're taking pictures every week then you're not storing them, you're using them. In that case when you take the discharged battery out of the camera and put in the charged battery you want as much charge on that battery as you can get so fully charge it before putting it in the camera bag(I have two batteries). If I were to have only one battery I'd probably use it until the battery meter showed that I didn't have enough to be ready for my next session and then I'd charge it fully.

Finally note - there is no such thing as a rechargeable that last forever. They all have a finite life and will eventually need to be replaced.

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Jan 26, 2007, 9:57 PM	#1
BillP2R Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 131	I was surprised to find the instructions that come with the Nikon EN-EL3e recommend storing in a discharged state and charging before use, while other Li-Ion using devices advertise that their batteries are always ready to go and that includes the spare batteries. Does anyone besides Nikon recommend discharging their Li-Ion batteries before storage? Also, how do other Nikon DSLR users manage their batteries? -------------------------- Bill

Jan 26, 2007, 11:08 PM	#2
reppans Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 76	Advertising is just to get you to buy... Instructions tell you how to operate and be good to your equipment... Yup, keeping Li-ions at full charge, and not using them, wears on them http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium...ure_and_charge That's one of the reasons I went back to AAs and carry Alkalines for spares. Biggest limiting factor on portable electronics is the battery.

Jan 27, 2007, 1:55 PM	#3
kenbalbari Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 822	Store it about halfway charged and stick it in the refrigerator (but take it out and let it warm up again before using).

Feb 8, 2007, 9:23 PM	#4
ac.smith Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Davenport, IA Posts: 2,093	The recommendation of storing Li rechargeables 40% charge at 32 F is to maximize the life of the batteries. Are you really storing the batteries? Or are you using the batteries? If you only take pictures at Christmas and July 4th then you are storing them most of the time. Follow the storage recommendations and charge them (after warming) before use. If you're taking pictures every week then you're not storing them, you're using them. In that case when you take the discharged battery out of the camera and put in the charged battery you want as much charge on that battery as you can get so fully charge it before putting it in the camera bag(I have two batteries). If I were to have only one battery I'd probably use it until the battery meter showed that I didn't have enough to be ready for my next session and then I'd charge it fully. Finally note - there is no such thing as a rechargeable that last forever. They all have a finite life and will eventually need to be replaced.