Camera showing low battery charge

[Frank_Hollahan]

Whenever I use fully charged Nickel Metal Hydride batteries in my XT the camera's low battery icon will always show on the LCD panel. Also, when I need to download all my images Zoombrowser will display a window saying batteries are to low. This are new batteries that rate 2100 mAH. Has anybody heard or seen this on an XT?

The batteries are being chadrged fully with the proper charger.

Thanks for you time.

[crn3371]

Canon batteries, or aftermarket?

[Frank_Hollahan]

Canon batteries, or aftermarket?

Aftermarket. Shoudn't make a difference should it? The alkalines are aftermarket but the the camera shows full charge when I use them.

[RossW]

Aftermarket. Shoudn't make a difference should it? Some aftermarket batteries, are to put it generously, garbage. Completely useless... fraudulent. You needn't buy Canon, but at least go with something made by a well-known company, and/or sold by a reputable company.

You may want to check out this (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=79584) sticky thread in the Accessories forum.

[kennmon]

look for Li-Ion,

Ni-Mh (nickel hydride) will make the meter almost always read as low since it just doesnt have enough "juice" volt wise to power the cam well.

a good li-ion battery, either canon or sterlingtek will do the trick.

[darkvibe]

Are you talking about AA NiMH batteries in a grip?

[wolf]

Discharge them, then give them a good 24 hr charge and see if that makes a difference.

I have read about this issue before, charging Nickel Hydride's for 2-3 hours initially and not achieving a full charge.

[Jon]

Since this is with AA cells in the grip, remember that AA alkalines put out 1.5 V each, for 9V total; NiMH put out 1.2V for 7.2 V. Quite possibly the lower voltage of 6x NiMH in the battery caddy is the culprit.

[darkvibe]

Since this is with AA cells in the grip, remember that AA alkalines put out 1.5 V each, for 9V total; NiMH put out 1.2V for 7.2 V. Quite possibly the lower voltage of 6x NiMH in the battery caddy is the culprit.

thats why I asked if it was AA batteries. I assumed so but you know what happens when I assume ;)

But thats correct and the same result I get with six 2300 mAh AA's in the grip. I bought a second canon battery and run dual OEM battery packs in the grip now.

[Frank_Hollahan]

Thanks everyone for your responses.

The backup batteries Im using are AA Pure Energy XL-Digital 2100 mAH, bought at Source (Circuit City) about a month ago. They get fully charged each time and I get a good couple of days shooting. they seem to lasting power but I get the low battery icon on the camera and the low battery power alert when I try to download my images in Zoombrowser.

Maybe I'll invest in Li-Ion...It never pays to go cheap

[Jon]

Well, the AA holder's only really meant for emergency use. Pick up a couple of Sterlingtek batteries maybe. A lot of people around here like them, and they're about the same price as 4-6 AA NiMH cells. Use the AAs for your flash.