G2: odd problem related to the battery

[premoutn]

Hi all,
I have used my G2 for nearly 1.5 years without any problem
But recentcy, there is an odd problem: after the battery is fully charged (by the built-in charger), the camera can take only about 20 pictures, and warns that the battery is low, then turns off automatically as if the battery is really empty :cry:
* I took my battery to my friend's G5 camera, it works properly
* I borrowed the battery from my friend's G5 camera, and put it into my G2, the same trouble took place.
Is there anyone know what the trouble is and how to solve it?
Many thanks
Email: hqdung@icu.ac.kr

[jimsolt]

after the battery is fully charged (by the built-in charger), the camera can take only about 20 pictures, and warns that the battery is low, then turns off automatically as if the battery is really empty :cry:
* I took my battery to my friend's G5 camera, it works properly
* I borrowed the battery from my friend's G5 camera, and put it into my G2, the same trouble took place.
Is there anyone know what the trouble is and how to solve it?
Many thanks
Email: hqdung@icu.ac.kr

I can't solve your problem, but you have narrowed it down to your camera, not your battery. I would also think you have eliminated any problem with your charger. You are saying that your camera thinks your or your friend's battery is discharged when in fact it is not discharged, therefore the problem is in the camera.

[dbump]

I wonder if the battery contacts inside the camera are either corroded or coated in something that would reduce conductivity? That could cause the circuitry in the camera to 'think' the battery has a low charge. You could try cleaning them with a cotton swab soaked (okay, maybe dipped--not dripping) in a mild solvent like rubbing alcohol (or whiteboard cleaner). If the contacts are corroded, that's trickier--but an emory board might work. Actually, I'd try a pencil eraser first.

Does the camera operate past 20 minutes when the power adapter is plugged in?

[DaveF]

I have a G1 that does the same thing. With mine, if I turn off the LCD display and reinsert the same or another battery, the battery no longer reads discharged and the camera seems to operate correctly.

[flash]

Same problem, same solution...

I have cleaned the camera contacts and that seems to help somewhat, but after a short while the problem recurs.

I also have noticed that the canon-supplied external charger behaves differently from the internal (G2) charger. The external charger lamp never turns green as the internal charger does.

I also seem to recall that Canon provided a firmware update for the G2 that was supposed to affect the internal charger's function somehow...

[jalb]

I have the same problem on my G2. Someone had similar symptoms on the canon-g-plus mailing-list and mentionned the LCD screen was getting very hot at about the same time the low battery sign shows. I remember noticing the too hot LCD some time ago, the battery problem appeared later.

What's going on?

[John from PA]

"Flash" can you elaborate on what you mean by internal vs. external charger? My G2 only has the one charger which plugs into 115 vac.

[John from PA]

Anyone try this...from http://www.botzilla.com/photo/g1faq.html#batt Note: it is in a section for G1's but maybe applicable.

Why did my battery die so quickly? I fully charged it in the camera according to Canon's instructions, yet I'm getting a low-battery warning right away. Is my battery no good? What should I do?

Your battery is okay, it didn't really die! Open the battery compartment, slide the battery out, put it back in, and your power level should read correctly (full charge).

This is a minor bug in the camera's charging system, and occurs if the battery is fully depleted in the camera, then charged up again while still in the camera. If you charge externally, or even just remove the battery for a second and replace it before or after charging, this problem doesn't occur.

[Kat Mc]

G2's full battery keeps showing "L6"- low battery. Confirmed when the camera monitor goes black. A shop checked the battery said it is fine. At the time I thought pulling out and replacing it would work.

Not so. After I've been using the camera a short time and this happens, I took the battery out then put it back in. The battery again showed full. But a minute later it's low with L6 on the top screen then it black out again. It seems to be okay for longest when it isn't warm.

What to do?

[John from PA]

I think I've resolved at least my issue with the G2 battery.

I had the same problem reported here in that last Sunday I only got about 20 outdoor pictures from a freshly charged battery. Looking on this forum I feared that I might have to return the camera to Canon for a repair.

But before doing that I charged the battery and rapidly fired off as many pictures as I could before it died. I got about 40 pictures, then I recharged to a steady orange light, not steady green (more on this later). Tonight I filled a 256 meg card (about 150 pictures) taking flash pictures with LCD screen on then erased each individually (just to exercise the battery even more). The battery indicator stills shows "full." I'm going to fire off however many more I can until the indicator indicates low battery and then recharge.

Lithium batteries supposedly don't have a memory effect like NiCads but I know some devices (like laptop computers) have to be "recalibrated" occasionally by allowing the batteries to completely run down. Otherwise the charging circuitry doesn't work properly.

In my case I was guilty of charging virtually everytime prior to useage. But the previous usage might only have been 15-20 pictures. Thus I never really took much out of the battery since perhaps last summer while on vacation.

Those of you with this problem give this a try and report back here with your results.

By the way the reason I only charge to a steady orange is because of a long ago recommendation of a Canon technician. He said that battery life (actual life, not the state of a charge) will be significantly longer if you stop charging at the steady orange indicator.

[jalb]

Update: in my case the problem was with the battery. Bought a new one, no problem. Is the failing battery dead or is there a way to revive it? Should I try to discharge completely and recharge it?

The hot screen happens when it's set in the back of the camera.

Best,

Jean-Alain

[flash]

"Flash" can you elaborate on what you mean by internal vs. external charger? My G2 only has the one charger which plugs into 115 vac.

Sorry it's taken so long to notice this post question and to respond...:o:

I have an external charger (purchased separately) from Canon that can charge two 511 batteries simultaneously (Actually, first one battery is charged, then the other). The LEDs on the external charger flash orange similarly to the LED in the G2 when I charge the battery inside the camera. But then the camera's LED changes to green when the charge is done. The external charger's LEDs never turns green. That's what I was referring to.

[ladyc]

I had the same issue with the battery, tried John's fix and it worked at the beginning, if I keep the lcd off the camera keeps on working fine, but if I turn it on and then swivel a little bit THEN the camera turns off...might be some cables from the lcd going to the camera? I would love to keep my G2 any help is greatly appreciated! :D