Whats the difference in BP511 Batteries?

[cgratti]

I see they have "BP511 1300mAh 7.4V Li-ion" I bought a
BP511 1400mAh 7.4V Li-ion, what is the mAh mean? Does the 1400 have more power or longer life?

I'm such a noob....

[robertwgross]

Voltage times current is power.

"7.4 volts" is the terminal voltage of the battery pack. This needs to be matched pretty closely between what the camera expects and what the battery pack offers. For example, if you plug in a battery pack with 9 volts, you may blow up something, or one with only 5 volts may not run it at all.

"mAH" is a current rating. This one stands for milli Ampere Hours. So, 1300 mAH means that it will output its rated voltage for 1300 milli Amperes for one hour. That would mean 1.3 Amperes for one hour, or half of that for two hours, etc. Battery packs don't have to put out so much consistent current, but at least it is a standard measurement scale.

To translate that into practical terms, if one battery pack was rated at 1300 mAH and it was rated to work for 400 shots, then the 1500 mAH version would work for about 15% more, or about 460 shots.

That is one standard to watch for. Another one that is seldom stated is the number of charge cycles that the battery pack is rated for. For example, if the 1300 version is rated for 400 cycles, and the 1500 version is rated for only 200 cycles, then the 1300 version will last longer.

There are many other measurements for a battery pack, but these are some of the important ones.

---Bob Gross---

[cgratti]

Voltage times current is power.

"7.4 volts" is the terminal voltage of the battery pack. This needs to be matched pretty closely between what the camera expects and what the battery pack offers. For example, if you plug in a battery pack with 9 volts, you may blow up something, or one with only 5 volts may not run it at all.

"mAH" is a current rating. This one stands for milli Ampere Hours. So, 1300 mAH means that it will output its rated voltage for 1300 milli Amperes for one hour. That would mean 1.3 Amperes for one hour, or half of that for two hours, etc. Battery packs don't have to put out so much consistent current, but at least it is a standard measurement scale.

To translate that into practical terms, if one battery pack was rated at 1300 mAH and it was rated to work for 400 shots, then the 1500 mAH version would work for about 15% more, or about 460 shots.

That is one standard to watch for. Another one that is seldom stated is the number of charge cycles that the battery pack is rated for. For example, if the 1300 version is rated for 400 cycles, and the 1500 version is rated for only 200 cycles, then the 1300 version will last longer.

There are many other measurements for a battery pack, but these are some of the important ones.

---Bob Gross---

I'm not worthy Bob. Thank You

:roll:

[robertwgross]

I can understand that there are many Canon EOS users without a fundamental background in electronics.

Fortunately, some of you are able to articulate your electronics questions in an understandable fashion, and then some of us are able to answer.

---Bob Gross---

[cgratti]

I can understand that there are many Canon EOS users without a fundamental background in electronics.

Fortunately, some of you are able to articulate your electronics questions in an understandable fashion, and then some of us are able to answer.

---Bob Gross---

I have no electronic experience whatsoever, my skills are in PC's and Networking (I have a degree in Network Administration), and can troubleshoot or build a PC in no time flat. If you have any PC or networking problems, questions, or CD & DVD burning questions feel free to ask away, I would love to be able to contribute my knowledge here.

--G

[robertwgross]

PC networking is not exactly within the subject material for this forum.

I have found that a little basic electronics knowledge will go a long way when it comes to digital cameras like these. Basic optics is another one that is helpful.

---Bob Gross---

[perfectpixel]

would it be OK to put a 1100mAh canon battery along with a 1300mAh generic battery into a BGED3 grip at the same time? You would not be mix&match voltages?

[Canuck]

would it be OK to put a 1100mAh canon battery along with a 1300mAh generic battery into a BGED3 grip at the same time? You would not be mix&match voltages?

Yes,
I have the Canon 1100MAh one and a 3rd party one that is 1300MAh and works great. I get more usage out of the 1300MAh one, obviously. This is ok, so long as they are the BP-511 equivilents@7.4 Volts.

[cgratti]

would it be OK to put a 1100mAh canon battery along with a 1300mAh generic battery into a BGED3 grip at the same time? You would not be mix&match voltages?

Yes,
I have the Canon 1100MAh one and a 3rd party one that is 1300MAh and works great. I get more usage out of the 1300MAh one, obviously. This is ok, so long as they are the BP-511 equivilents@7.4 Volts.

they are both 7.4V.. one is 1100 and the other is 1300 mAh.. Just checking before I blow something up...

[robertwgross]

If there were some major difference between the voltage rating of two batteries, then I would not use them in parallel. However, if one can simply put out more current longer than the other, then that is not a major problem. Theoretically, the two battery packs give you 7.4 volts @ the sum of the two mAH ratings. So, the combination should run for approximately twice as long as a single one.

Personally, I find it difficult to run down one BP-511 in a day. Maybe I am more careful about using the autofocus motor unnecessarily, and I have no I.S. lenses. When I shoot in cold weather, the camera spends a lot of time under wraps.

---Bob Gross---

[boBquincy]

Afaik, the only 'real' BP-511 batteries are the ones marked "Canon", the others are copies that fit in the same battery slot. This may be more of a difference than it first appears.

The voltage ratings should be ok since a Li-Ion battery has an inherent voltage of 3.6 V per cell. The current ratings may be another story. The 'standard' is to rate the cell according to a discharge rate of 1/10 the total rating, ie to discharge the 1400 mAH cell at 140 mA until the voltage reaches a certain level. The 'standard' is not always followed and may not even be applicable if the camera draws significantly more or less than 140 mA.

From looking at cordless drills we can see the mAH ratings are rather loosely adhered to by the industry. I would expect the camera battery industry to be no better.

If an aftermarket battery leaks (or otherwise malfunctions) and ruins your camera I would not expect Canon to honor the warranty. I understand that the aftermarket batteries are *much* less costly than Canon's (and I have one of them) but just as I prefer Canon lenses I also prefer Canon batteries.


ymmv,

boB

[scottbergerphoto]

Afaik, the only 'real' BP-511 batteries are the ones marked "Canon", the others are copies that fit in the same battery slot. This may be more of a difference than it first appears.

The voltage ratings should be ok since a Li-Ion battery has an inherent voltage of 3.6 V per cell. The current ratings may be another story. The 'standard' is to rate the cell according to a discharge rate of 1/10 the total rating, ie to discharge the 1400 mAH cell at 140 mA until the voltage reaches a certain level. The 'standard' is not always followed and may not even be applicable if the camera draws significantly more or less than 140 mA.

From looking at cordless drills we can see the mAH ratings are rather loosely adhered to by the industry. I would expect the camera battery industry to be no better.

If an aftermarket battery leaks (or otherwise malfunctions) and ruins your camera I would not expect Canon to honor the warranty. I understand that the aftermarket batteries are *much* less costly than Canon's (and I have one of them) but just as I prefer Canon lenses I also prefer Canon batteries.


ymmv,

boB
I'd rather spend my money on other things then Canon blessed batteries. There are major name aftermarket battery producers that sell perfectly reliable batteries. I use Power 2000 batteries I get at B&H for about half the Canon price. They actually work better the Canon's in the cold.
Scott

[CyberDyneSystems]

The trouble with Canon batts verses Canon lenses is that Canon actually makes its lenses... :)

The Batteries are subcontracted and branded "Canon" just like most manufactureres do...

So somewhere out there ,. there is a Branded battery .. other than "Canon" that is in fact the exact same battery as the Canon..

But there is a difference in quality from one brand to the other.. I have two of the E-bay $10.00 specials.,. and they are flimsy,. and many people have had trouble with them (Mine still work) but comopared to the "Powerex" or other known reputable manufacturers like "Lenmar" the E-bays are pure junk.

I have read a few threads from people complaining about the E-bay specials,. thus I will no longer recoemend or purchase them.

IMHO though,. a good brand name battery is a perfectly acceptible replacement to the "Canon" branded BP-511

[Belmondo]

Slightly off topic, but I was recently told that there is no big difference between the BP-511 and BP-512. According to this person, they are the same batteries, but one is used in still cameras (the 511) and the other is used in video cameras.

This doesn't sound right. Anybody know the real story?

Thos.

[boBquincy]

>The Batteries are subcontracted and branded "Canon" just like most manufactureres do...

Very likely, along with many other components used in Canon cameras and lenses. However, Canon may have particular specifications that none of the battery manufacturer's other customers do. This is often the case for my employer, who sometimes drives suppliers nuts with their stringent specifications.

Then again, Canon's batteries may be *exactly* the same as the others! ;)

I have an aftermarket battery that is a *very* close copy of Canon's, except the surface finish is ever so slightly rougher. It is rated at 1300 mAH compared to Canon's 1100, and if it really has that much power it is a bargain!


boB

[richardtallent]

One of the reasons I liked the Digital Rebel is that I already had a BP-511 (7.4V, 1100mAh) that came with my Canon DV camera a few years ago, so I have a free spare now.

[IanD]

One of the reasons I liked the Digital Rebel is that I already had a BP-511 (7.4V, 1100mAh) that came with my Canon DV camera a few years ago, so I have a free spare now.
Richards post got me a free (?) battery. I too have a Canon ZR50 DV and at the time of purchase bought a mega-wopper battery as a main and kept the original as a back up. Original is a BP-512. As of this morning, I now have 3 batteries for the 10D. Got to empty the mini DV bag and see if there is another one hiding simewhere :lol:
Thanks Richard.

[scottbergerphoto]

Slightly off topic, but I was recently told that there is no big difference between the BP-511 and BP-512. According to this person, they are the same batteries, but one is used in still cameras (the 511) and the other is used in video cameras.

This doesn't sound right. Anybody know the real story?

Thos.
The BP512 lacks the groove down the center that the BP511 has. As a result, you can use a BP 511 in a camera that uses the BP512 but not vice versa.
Scott

[IanD]

Slightly off topic, but I was recently told that there is no big difference between the BP-511 and BP-512. According to this person, they are the same batteries, but one is used in still cameras (the 511) and the other is used in video cameras.

This doesn't sound right. Anybody know the real story?

Thos.
The BP512 lacks the groove down the center that the BP511 has. As a result, you can use a BP 511 in a camera that uses the BP512 but not vice versa.
Scott
Uhh Scott,
The BP 512 fits in my 10D (blows with a hammer not required). Seems the 10D will consume either the 511 or 512. :lol:
That is cool causde I have an extra 512 hanging around.

[scottbergerphoto]

Slightly off topic, but I was recently told that there is no big difference between the BP-511 and BP-512. According to this person, they are the same batteries, but one is used in still cameras (the 511) and the other is used in video cameras.

This doesn't sound right. Anybody know the real story?

Thos.
The BP512 lacks the groove down the center that the BP511 has. As a result, you can use a BP 511 in a camera that uses the BP512 but not vice versa.
Scott
Uhh Scott,
The BP 512 fits in my 10D (blows with a hammer not required). Seems the 10D will consume either the 511 or 512. :lol:
That is cool causde I have an extra 512 hanging around.
I don't think it will fit in the BGED3.
Scott

[IanD]

Slightly off topic, but I was recently told that there is no big difference between the BP-511 and BP-512. According to this person, they are the same batteries, but one is used in still cameras (the 511) and the other is used in video cameras.

This doesn't sound right. Anybody know the real story?

Thos.
The BP512 lacks the groove down the center that the BP511 has. As a result, you can use a BP 511 in a camera that uses the BP512 but not vice versa.
Scott
Uhh Scott,
The BP 512 fits in my 10D (blows with a hammer not required). Seems the 10D will consume either the 511 or 512. :lol:
That is cool causde I have an extra 512 hanging around.
I don't think it will fit in the BGED3.
Scott
Scott,
You are right. BP512 will not fit the BGED3, unless you have a hammer handy :lol:

[cgratti]

Slightly off topic, but I was recently told that there is no big difference between the BP-511 and BP-512. According to this person, they are the same batteries, but one is used in still cameras (the 511) and the other is used in video cameras.

This doesn't sound right. Anybody know the real story?

Thos.
The BP512 lacks the groove down the center that the BP511 has. As a result, you can use a BP 511 in a camera that uses the BP512 but not vice versa.
Scott
Uhh Scott,
The BP 512 fits in my 10D (blows with a hammer not required). Seems the 10D will consume either the 511 or 512. :lol:
That is cool causde I have an extra 512 hanging around.
I don't think it will fit in the BGED3.
Scott
Scott,
You are right. BP512 will not fit the BGED3, unless you have a hammer handy :lol:

Here ya go chief.....

http://www.stanleytools.com/catalog_images/mid_res/56812_150dpi_midres.jpg

[IanD]

Slightly off topic, but I was recently told that there is no big difference between the BP-511 and BP-512. According to this person, they are the same batteries, but one is used in still cameras (the 511) and the other is used in video cameras.

This doesn't sound right. Anybody know the real story?

Thos.
The BP512 lacks the groove down the center that the BP511 has. As a result, you can use a BP 511 in a camera that uses the BP512 but not vice versa.
Scott
Uhh Scott,
The BP 512 fits in my 10D (blows with a hammer not required). Seems the 10D will consume either the 511 or 512. :lol:
That is cool causde I have an extra 512 hanging around.
I don't think it will fit in the BGED3.
Scott
Scott,
You are right. BP512 will not fit the BGED3, unless you have a hammer handy :lol:

Here ya go chief.....

http://www.stanleytools.com/catalog_images/mid_res/56812_150dpi_midres.jpg
Perfect!
Many thanks. :lol:

[Jim_T]

Just as a point... It's sometimes wise to take the claimed mAh ratings with a grain of salt.

Big name batteries should be OK, but I don't have much faith at all in the mAh ratings of cheapo batteries.. (Like some of the ones you get from places like eBay). They can stamp just about anything they want on the package..

Asian sweatshops that change brand names faster than one changes their socks have little worry about consumer agencies coming down on them.

As far as comparing the BP-511 / BP-512.. A picture is worth a thousand words.. (The BP-512 with no groove is on the left).


http://members.shaw.ca/jamestownsend/511-512.jpg

[theoldmoose]

I've spoken about this at length in at least a couple of other posts, but I'll stick my two cents in here, as well.

Beware any 3rd party batteries that you can get for say, less than $10. They may be missing some critical smart chips that prevent the pack from being over-charged or completely exhausted, or the cells themselves may be subject to internal shorts. All of these conditions are dangerous (as in heat, fire, meltdown, or explosion) in a Li-Ion battery chemistry cell.

If you do a google search for 'exploding Nokia cell phones' you will see that this can be a serious problem. Buy Li-Ion batteries only from a reputable source, with at least what sounds like a well-known brand name.

[Belmondo]

Slightly off topic, but I was recently told that there is no big difference between the BP-511 and BP-512. According to this person, they are the same batteries, but one is used in still cameras (the 511) and the other is used in video cameras.

This doesn't sound right. Anybody know the real story?

Thos.
The BP512 lacks the groove down the center that the BP511 has. As a result, you can use a BP 511 in a camera that uses the BP512 but not vice versa.
Scott

Ah, so.
I couldn't believe that they would make indentical batteries with different numbers, but this guy is usually reliable. Glad my hunch was correct. Thanks, Scott.

[Canuck]

would it be OK to put a 1100mAh canon battery along with a 1300mAh generic battery into a BGED3 grip at the same time? You would not be mix&match voltages?

Yes,
I have the Canon 1100MAh one and a 3rd party one that is 1300MAh and works great. I get more usage out of the 1300MAh one, obviously. This is ok, so long as they are the BP-511 equivilents@7.4 Volts.

they are both 7.4V.. one is 1100 and the other is 1300 mAh.. Just checking before I blow something up...

correct