Annoying S45 Battery Discharge Problem

[TonyD]

The battery on my near-new S45 appears to discharge while the camera is not in use and switched off, i.e. lens cover shut and camera not in view mode. Is this a problem that anyone else has experienced? Am intending to take to back to the dealer for them to check out.

[UK_Terry]

Had mine 2 weeks now, and after initial charging i have left the battery in the camera.
No significant drain yet, although all batteries will drain if left in .

[twhipcat]

I have searched several places to see if I am experiencing a common problem, and this forum was the first metion I have found. My 6 month old S45 has started draining batteries while stored. Given the power mechanism, there seems to be no way that it could accidentally power on. This has happened repeatedly and with 2 batteries. It takes less than 4 days to completely drain a full battery in the camera with no use. It has also drained the internal battery such that it cannot hold time/date info while battery changing. I have contacted Canon, but they of course want me to send it for service. I previously had a ZR10 camcorder go there for repair 3 times with no resolution, so I was hoping someone might have an answer here or a suggestion for handling the issue with Canon. It is otherwise a great little camera, and I almost didn't buy it because of their service. I seem top have been burned a second time! Thanks for any help!

-TW

[stopbath]

twhipcat wrote:
I have searched several places to see if I am experiencing a common problem, and this forum was the first metion I have found. My 6 month old S45 has started draining batteries while stored. Given the power mechanism, there seems to be no way that it could accidentally power on. This has happened repeatedly and with 2 batteries. It takes less than 4 days to completely drain a full battery in the camera with no use. It has also drained the internal battery such that it cannot hold time/date info while battery changing. I have contacted Canon, but they of course want me to send it for service. I previously had a ZR10 camcorder go there for repair 3 times with no resolution, so I was hoping someone might have an answer here or a suggestion for handling the issue with Canon. It is otherwise a great little camera, and I almost didn't buy it because of their service. I seem top have been burned a second time! Thanks for any help!

-TW
I take it that the batteries are proven good and that they themselves retain a charge when used in another device. If so, your camera has a short (loose contact, blown component, possibly even corrosion but not too likely.) It's no use dropping batteries in it, and having them waste away. Send it in for repair. You may wish to include your test batteries to show, but it's generally not recommended. Also mention that the installed date battery is drained. See if they can replace it for you.

What was your previous problem withthe ZR10 camcorder.

[KurtKuhn]

To quote from the documentation with the Canon (yes, Canon brand) NB-2L replacement battery:

"Disconnect the battery pack when you are not using it. Even when it is turned off, the product the battery pack is attached to will continue to slowly drain power from the battery pack. When you plan to store a battery pack aim to use its complete charge 1st, before diconnecting it."

My solution = 2 batteries: the amount of charge in the battery in the camera is the amount, whatever the level. If I'm going shooting for a short period, I'll take my backup battery fully charged. When I get a low battery signal, the battery in the camera comes out and the fully charged battery goes in. Now the idle battery is properly stored at 0 charge, and I'm using a fresh one to shoot. The idle battery remains at 0 charge until I'm ready to prepare for another outing, then it's time for a recharge.

The exception, of course, is for a long day of shooting (esp. while on vacation); both batteries were fully charged at the beginning of the day.

[twhipcat]

stopbath wrote:
I take it that the batteries are proven good and that they themselves retain a charge when used in another device. If so, your camera has a short (loose contact, blown component, possibly even corrosion but not too likely.) It's no use dropping batteries in it, and having them waste away. Send it in for repair. You may wish to include your test batteries to show, but it's generally not recommended. Also mention that the installed date battery is drained. See if they can replace it for you.

What was your previous problem withthe ZR10 camcorder.
-----
Thanks- that's what I figured. I am wondering if it is worthwhile taking it to a local shop rather than sending it in, but I have no idea what repairs might cost.

The ZR10 , after little use and also only about 6months of ownership, began garbling sections of tape that were previously fine. In addition, the tape door jammed, at which point I sent it in. 3 repair trips later, and 1 example tape lost, I have a still garbling ZR10 and a bad attitude about Canon :-\
If only my Nikon880 had been quicker on the draw, I would have stuck with it...

Thanks for your suggestion!

[stopbath]

twhipcat wrote:
stopbath wrote:
I take it that the batteries are proven good and that they themselves retain a charge when used in another device. If so, your camera has a short (loose contact, blown component, possibly even corrosion but not too likely.) It's no use dropping batteries in it, and having them waste away. Send it in for repair. You may wish to include your test batteries to show, but it's generally not recommended. Also mention that the installed date battery is drained. See if they can replace it for you.

What was your previous problem withthe ZR10 camcorder.
-----
Thanks- that's what I figured. I am wondering if it is worthwhile taking it to a local shop rather than sending it in, but I have no idea what repairs might cost.

The ZR10 , after little use and also only about 6months of ownership, began garbling sections of tape that were previously fine. In addition, the tape door jammed, at which point I sent it in. 3 repair trips later, and 1 example tape lost, I have a still garbling ZR10 and a bad attitude about Canon :-\
If only my Nikon880 had been quicker on the draw, I would have stuck with it...

Thanks for your suggestion!

At six months old, your camera should be under warranty, so the cost is only shipping and time away from you. If there is an authorized dealer nearby you could just drop it off there. Might save you bit of time.

As for the ZR10, by garbling do you mean it crinkles up the tape or does it partially erase it. If it is still a problem, send the manager of the repair facility a letter with photocopies of all prior paperwork and explain that it is still doing the same thing. Ask kindly for help, but explain that your patience has worn with this. When sending in the unit, if the problem is intermittant, ask them if they can keep the machine for a longer period of time and don't forget to provide any tips you can to help reproduce the problem. Also cheap tapes are more likely to suffer damage than high quality tapes. If you're running bargain tapes, perhaps switching tapes is all you need to do.

Good luck.

[piper]

With 4 day discharge and the time/date battery failing it does certainly sound like a camera hardware problem.

FWIW, I read somewhere that the NB2L discharges at about 3% per day in or out of the camera.