SterlingTek Batteries FAIL?

[Saxi]

I picked up two SterlingTek batteries for my 50D. I haven't done much testing with them, but I had it hooked up to my computer to adjust some settings and I noticed the battery was showing almost dead even though I charged them both and put them in my camera bag.

So I put it on the Canon charger and it flashes a few times and goes to steady light (meaning battery full). I pulled it off charger and put it back on, and it went to three quick blinks (75% charge) and is charging for at least 2 minutes now.

When it was in the camera, it showed full battery and a few seconds later it was down to near empty once the sensor checked it.

I put the second battery in and it seems to stay at full charge, although I haven't done much shooting to test I just fired off a few quick photos and it never dropped.

I just checked the "bad" battery 5 minutes later and it is still charging with 3 fast blinking lights (thinking it is 75%-99% charged).

I suspect the charger thought it was fully charged (like it did the first time I put it on the charger tonight) and didn't apply any charge to the battery, perhaps because at 50% it is near the standard mah rating of the standard battery? The standard canon battery is 1390mah where as these are 2000mah.

I am going to leave the battery on the charger tonight and see what happens tomorrow.

[cctsm]

Battery charging really isn't an exact, 100% reproducible science. Also, the Sterlingtek batteries do not in fact have any more power than the Canon batteries do; it's called marketing, or lying.

I wouldn't worry, unless the batteries get unusually hot while charging, or discharge unusually rapidly.

[Saxi]

Battery charging really isn't an exact, 100% reproducible science. Also, the Sterlingtek batteries do not in fact have any more power than the Canon batteries do; it's called marketing, or lying.

I wouldn't worry, unless the batteries get unusually hot while charging, or discharge unusually rapidly.

What do you mean they do not have any more power? If they are rated for 2000mah compared to Canon's 1390mah they have more power, are they not truly 2000mah?

How is battery charging not 100% reproducible science, it is fairly consistent using the same steady current.

[brecklundin]

What do you mean they do not have any more power? If they are rated for 2000mah compared to Canon's 1390mah they have more power, are they not truly 2000mah?

How is battery charging not 100% reproducible science, it is fairly consistent using the same steady current.

Unless they found a way to compress the LiIon gue inside the battery if they are the same physical size...they have the same capacity (assuming equal amounts of LiIon stuff inside)...or is something different going on inside the SterlingTek batteries? Curios because to me the SterlingTek's sure seem to be in that "too good to be true" category everyone always yammers about when discussing such wide price variations from the norm. Because there is a big difference between $15/ea. and $50/ea.

Also, I thought there was a way to determine capacity which gives a higher value than is used to calculate capacity here in the US...I just know I read about something along these lines when researching batteries a couple years back...

[hollis_f]

Battery charging really isn't an exact, 100% reproducible science. Also, the Sterlingtek batteries do not in fact have any more power than the Canon batteries do; it's called marketing, or lying.
And this is called libel.

Obviously different batteries of the same size can hold different amounts of energy. In fact Canon's BP511 and BP511a hold 1100 and 1380 mAh, respectively. Or is this just Canon lying?

[hollis_f]

I am going to leave the battery on the charger tonight and see what happens tomorrow.If you have any doubts about the battery contact SterlingTek and they're sure to replace it. One reason they're very popular is that their customer service is pretty good.

[brecklundin]

And this is called libel.

Obviously different batteries of the same size can hold different amounts of energy. In fact Canon's BP511 and BP511a hold 1100 and 1380 mAh, respectively. Or is this just Canon lying?

Dude...don't get your knickers in a twist, it not like anyone is taking a shot at your personally...

I am just asking the obvious question...all things being equal why would there be a difference in capacity if the batteries are the same inside? Is the chemistry different or what? I believe LiPoly has a higher energy density that standard Li-Ion but I am unsure and either way as far as I know none of these are LiPoly batteries...so I was asking for an explaination. Do they contain a different number of or have more densely packed cells? I mean there needs to be a factual reason not just "because I/they say so..."

If ya don't know, cool, I am sure someone knows.

[jacuff]

Unless they found a way to compress the LiIon gue inside the battery if they are the same physical size...they have the same capacity (assuming equal amounts of LiIon stuff inside)...

LiIon gue... sounds like you know a lot about electrochemistry. ;) LiIon batteries can use several different cathodes and electrolytes. Each combination may have a different average voltage and gravimetric capacity. So while one combination may yield a cell at 3.7V with a capacity of 140mAh/gram another can yield 3.6V at 115mAh/gram. So while the physical battery size might only have room for 12 1 gram cells, you could configure those cells so that the voltage is 7.4V @ 1680mAh and 7.2V @1380mAh using the two examples above. So you'd be correct in suspecting a different material. It's still lithium based molecules, so it still qualifies as a LiIon battery.

Take a look at the new LP-E6. It's roughly the same size at the BP-511 yet it is rated at 1800 mAh.

[brecklundin]

LiIon gue... sounds like you know a lot about electrochemistry. ;) LiIon batteries can use several different cathodes and electrolytes. Each combination may have a different average voltage and gravimetric capacity. So while one combination may yield a cell at 3.7V with a capacity of 140mAh/gram another can yield 3.6V at 115mAh/gram. So while the physical battery size might only have room for 12 1 gram cells, you could configure those cells so that the voltage is 7.4V @ 1680mAh and 7.2V @1380mAh using the two examples above. So you'd be correct in suspecting a different material. It's still lithium based molecules, so it still qualifies as a LiIon battery.

Take a look at the new LP-E6. It's roughly the same size at the BP-511 yet it is rated at 1800 mAh.

Thanks for the reasoned answer and resiting the childish desire to take a shot at another member of the board for simply daring to as a question in an informal fashion. I am sure you would never take that route at all.

I appreciate your explanation and it makes sense to me. It is possible to have a different internal design within the same physical constraints to yield different capacities.

FYI, MSCS, MS Mathematics and BS Biochemistry here...in case it matters at all. WINK back attcha...

[Saxi]

Unless they found a way to compress the LiIon gue inside the battery if they are the same physical size...they have the same capacity (assuming equal amounts of LiIon stuff inside)...or is something different going on inside the SterlingTek batteries? Curios because to me the SterlingTek's sure seem to be in that "too good to be true" category everyone always yammers about when discussing such wide price variations from the norm. Because there is a big difference between $15/ea. and $50/ea.

Also, I thought there was a way to determine capacity which gives a higher value than is used to calculate capacity here in the US...I just know I read about something along these lines when researching batteries a couple years back...

Well then the entire AA rechargeable market must be lying too, because I have seen anywhere from 1600-2800 in a single AA, unless there is different physical sized AA, they managed to do it. All using NiMH.

[hollis_f]

Dude...don't get your knickers in a twist, it not like anyone is taking a shot at your personally...
Sorry, no animosity was meant to be aimed in your direction. Glad to see that Jacuff has explained, not sure my electrochemistry is really up to it.

[snails]

I have, in the past, had trouble charging one of my older Li-Ion batteries. The charger read "full" in a matter of minutes for a battery that was DEAD. I took it off the charger and put it back on... the battery charged properly and worked fine.

[Bushplane Ken]

Perhaps the Canon battery ratings are conservative while the Sterlingtek ratings are liberal. Regardless, I have had good service from the Sterlingtek batteries (4 for Rebel XT, 2 for G9 and 2 for 40D) that I am using.

[Pinto]

And this is called libel.

Obviously different batteries of the same size can hold different amounts of energy. In fact Canon's BP511 and BP511a hold 1100 and 1380 mAh, respectively. Or is this just Canon lying?

Here you go:

The real scoop on after market batteries ratings
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=26266464

[Jon]

That's only part of the story however. As was noted above, Canon replaced the original BP-511 and BP-512 Li Ion batteries with BP-511A and BP514 batteries, which are fully interchangeable with the earlier ones but which Canon says are higher capacity. If the internal chemistries are different, the battery life will be different. And empirical evidence from many users on POTN is that the Sterlingtek batteries have lasted longer in their cameras than Canon's original ones (even the BP-511A) have. Changes in chemistry also account for the wildly differing capacities of NiMH AA cells (up to 100% or so difference). As far as the claims made in that article about Canon using 720 mAh for their cells; Canon's original BP-511 was rated at 1100 mAh; the BP-511A at 1390 mAh.

[Saxi]

Here you go:

The real scoop on after market batteries ratings
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=26266464

If they admit to lying, and big companies do it, I wonder where all the class action law suits are.

[Pinto]

If they admit to lying, and big companies do it, I wonder where all the class action law suits are.

Well, someone has to be motivated to initiate one, and it is usually a lawyer intent on making big bucks. I doubt there is sufficient provable damages to warrant a class action suit.

Perhaps you can be the first to file one.

[verizon6000]

Did you ever get your Sterlingteks to show full longer than 1-2 minutes in the camera. I have two brand new ones for my 40D doing the same thing.

[Saxi]

Did you ever get your Sterlingteks to show full longer than 1-2 minutes in the camera. I have two brand new ones for my 40D doing the same thing.
I haven't been shooting lately, but I after putting it on the charger a 3rd time it seems to be ok, but I need to do more testing.

I initially put it on the charger and checked the next morning noticing the light stable, I took it off. I put it in my camera, and within 30 seconds it went down to looking almost empty. So I put it on the charger again, and it showed full within 5 seconds (I believe the charger stops charging at this point). I took it off, and put it on again, and it showed 75% and was charging for at least 10 minutes (perhaps hours didn't watch). The next morning I pulled it off and it seems to register full. But I need to run it for a while and see how many shots I can get with it.

The second battery I put in real quickly it seemed to show full but I have not shot with it at all.

[verizon6000]

I went ahead and called Sterlingtek and they confirmed they had a bad batch. They are emailing me a return label and have a new shipment coming in this week and are replacing mine. Might want to call them and get yours replaced.

[Saxi]

I went ahead and called Sterlingtek and they confirmed they had a bad batch. They are emailing me a return label and have a new shipment coming in this week and are replacing mine. Might want to call them and get yours replaced.

I will do that tomorrow then, I don't want to have any problems down the road.

[Tim S]

Perhaps the Canon battery ratings are conservative while the Sterlingtek ratings are liberal.
Oh no...red & blue batteries? I thought they were all grey or is it gray?:lol:

[Bushplane Ken]

Oh no...red & blue batteries? I thought they were all grey or is it gray?:lol:

Oh No! The next thing you know the red ones will be trying to form a coalition with the orange ones to over throw the blue ones....lol:lol:

[Tee Why]

I've bought a battery for the Rebel XT/XTi series two different times from Sterlingtek and both of them have stopped working after a year or so. Basically, it would show fully charged immediately when it was actually drained and then it would not work if you put it into the camera. The first one stopped showing any recharge status.

With the BP 511A type from Sterlingtek, I've noticed that it sometimes fools the charger to thinking it's fully charged when it's not. I noticed it initially when I was trying to recharge a half or close to fully drained battery and it would show fully charged way too quick compared to my Canon battery. I would take the Sterlingtek battery out and after a minute or two, put it back into the charger and it would charge again.

I'm not sure if others are experiencing this or not as well. From what I hear, Diamondback batteries are from the same factory that makes the battery for Sterlingtek.

My buddy who uses Impact brand (B&H's house brand) of batteries has had no troubles with his. They are about $25 vs $12 for diamondbacks vs $50 for Canon's BP 511A, so a more expensive third party battery may be a more reliable option.

Maybe folks who've used the Impact version can chime in.

[hollis_f]

One thing I think I've noticed about reports of third-party battery users is that people either seem to have lots of problems with them, or very few problems. I wonder if it's because of different usage styles?

Li-ion batteries don't have the 'memory effect' that old-fashioned NiCad rechargeables had. So there's no need to fully discharge them each time before recharging. Indeed, Li-ions prefer to have frequent top-ups.

However, batteries with 'fuel gauges' can lose their internal calibration if they don't undergo a periodic (about every 30 discharge/charge cycles) deep discharge. That can lead to errors in recharging and in remaining time displays.

[Saxi]

SterlingTek very easily replaced the batteries and paid a credit for shipping back to them. I haven't done a lot of testing, but so far I am still not impressed. I took around 150 photos with my 50D and 50mm f/1.4 (non-image stabilization, and no flash) and I am already having a warning low battery.

[glaars]

FWIW, I'm having no issues with the SterlingTek batteries I purchased a few months ago for my 40D. I usually leave them plugged in for several hours (if not overnight) despite what the charger tells me.

[rowan57]

I have 4 of the new batch, 2 in the grip atm, and having left them on for quite a long time by accident i'm more than happy.

Cheers
Rowan

[Saxi]

FWIW, I'm having no issues with the SterlingTek batteries I purchased a few months ago for my 40D. I usually leave them plugged in for several hours (if not overnight) despite what the charger tells me.

I typically keep them in overnight as well, I never even look at the lights. I just plug it in, take it out sometime later, typically the next day.

[adam8080]

I have 4 SterlingTek batteries. One failed after about 6 months of use, and another one failed after a little over a year. I also have 2 Canons that I have had for 2 years without any problems. I'd still go with SterlingTek in the future, but just make sure I had about twice as many as what I actually need in case I have another failure.

[Sean]

I am quite happy with mine. I do a quick charge (2 hours) and they run long, about 600 shots. I do find they will show on the 40D, as "half" sometimes quickly, but really doesn't change a thing. I've never counted the number of shots on an overnight charge, just a 2 hour, so I am never 100% on it. My canon battery is similar. They were cheaper and do the same job as the original. They will replace them if something goes wrong in the year, and for the price that is awesome. They are a great company to deal with as well, fast service and quick response time. Even if the batteries were not the stated maH I'd still buy them in a heart beat.

[Saxi]

I have to stand by my original impression, these SterlingTek batteries are just awful. They have good support (they have been willing to replace my second set and even had them pay return shipping when I replaced the first set). I haven't bothered taking them up on it, but anytime I have one of these batteries in the camera, they are showing low power on my 50D. Pull it off the charger and put it in the camera, it will show full provided you let them charge overnight, but if you come back the next day or two (regardless if you shot the camera a lot or nothing at all) and they are almost always showing low power. They seem to self discharge overnight or something.

[Pinto]

I have to stand by my original impression, these SterlingTek batteries are just awful. They have good support (they have been willing to replace my second set and even had them pay return shipping when I replaced the first set). I haven't bothered taking them up on it, but anytime I have one of these batteries in the camera, they are showing low power on my 50D. Pull it off the charger and put it in the camera, it will show full provided you let them charge overnight, but if you come back the next day or two (regardless if you shot the camera a lot or nothing at all) and they are almost always showing low power. They seem to self discharge overnight or something.

Perhaps you got a bad run. I've used Sterling Tek batteries for years with excellent results.

[Saxi]

Perhaps you got a bad run. I've used Sterling Tek batteries for years with excellent results.

I've had 2 replacements. I've heard they are the best knock off batteries, but they are really bad, at least the ones I got.

[JackLiu]

There may be all sorts of outstanding batteries and battery manufacturers out there for your camera, however, I firmly believe in the camera manufacturer's battery for its camera. You have a big investment in your camera so I'm just cautious in buying theirs. Just my conservativeness and modus operandi.

[bps]

Sorry to hear that you've had a bad run. My Sterlingtek's are a year and a half old and still performing great!

Bryan

[overclock]

Hey Saxi!

I have been against Sterlintek's overrating of batteries for a long time. Would you be willing to take one for the team and cut one of the bad batteries open and post some pics? I'm dying to know what batteries they use in their BP 511 equivalents.

[Saxi]

Hey Saxi!

I have been against Sterlintek's overrating of batteries for a long time. Would you be willing to take one for the team and cut one of the bad batteries open and post some pics? I'm dying to know what batteries they use in their BP 511 equivalents.

This has been talked about in detail, I read about it somewhere. The owner of SterlingTek said he really did not want to do it, but everyone even Canon does it so he had to stay competitive and almost decided to close the business because of it. I am not sure how genuine it is, but I am pretty confident the batteries are lower than what the specified rating is as they have came right out and said so.

My problem isn't as much capacity but the lack of the ability to hold a charge.