Battery Problem

[NickUK]

I've got a bunch of non-Canon BP-511 batteries which I've used quite happily on my 300D for several months. Just recently though they have started acting very strangely. A couple of weekends ago I tried to turn the camera on but nothing happened. I knew the batteries had been charged previously so should have been ok. Anyway, the same thing happened again this weekend - turn the camera on with supposedly charged batteries and nothing happened. This time I had some spares and they worked.

I'm using the battery grip, though I see the same problem if I don't use it. I've used a voltmeter on the batteries and they look ok. When I put them back in the Canon charger they show full charge within a few seconds.

Now I might expect cheap ebay batteries to fail after a while, but it seems odd that 4 have failed over 2 weekends (when they were bought separately).

Anyone had similar problems? I hope there is nothing wrong with the camera.

[Dchemist]

I had one Power-2000 battery for 3-4 months and trashed it. It would not hold a charge. This is far short of what I would expect for a service lifetime. Others have reported better experiences. What kind were you using?

[malla1962]

Try them without the grip.:D

[Mike K]

turn the camera on with supposedly charged batteries and nothing happened. I'm using the battery grip, though I see the same problem if I don't use it. I've used a voltmeter on the batteries and they look ok. When I put them back in the Canon charger they show full charge within a few seconds.

Usually when these batteries die it is a bit more noticeable, gradually getting shorter use out of them. Have you eliminated the lack of good electrical contact? An eraser over the contact area could help. Alternately it could be that these batteries have reached the end of their useful lifecycle. The Sterlingtek are only $12 (see the first sticky thread on this forum) so its not a catastrophe. However, usually Li Ion batteries will last 1-2 years with moderate use.
Mike K