How to test BP-511 batteries

[chromewaves]

Hey, is there any way to quantitatively test and verify that batteries like the BP-511 are no longer holding a charge? I have a few that I don't think I trust anymore but want to know for sure that they're a loss before getting rid of them.

[c2thew]

shoot more?

there hasn't been a firmware hack for the digic II processors to enable more accurate camera battery metering yet.

[Tdragone]

The way we test batteries at work is by actually exercising them.
My thought would be to get some type of a device to make the camera take a picture a minute to see how many pix you can eek out of the battery.
Aside from this or a test to see how ming the LCD stays on; I'm at a loss.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/164271-REG/Canon_2477A002_Timer_Remote_Controller_TC_80N3.htm l

[Wilt]

Not sure, but maybe if you have a 'smart charger' that shows how much charge was put INTO the battery, and then discharged the battery and measure the OUTPUT, you might be able to tell. I haven't got a smart charger like that, so it is speculation.

NiMH or Li-ion batteries deteriorate in ability to hold as much charge after a few years, so that seems like a quanitifiable thing which can be measured. Just a guess.

[chromewaves]

thanks. I guess I'll just take the suspect ones, charge them and use them in a non-critical situation with backups on hand, see how long it takes before they show as nearly empty.

[ed rader]

Hey, is there any way to quantitatively test and verify that batteries like the BP-511 are no longer holding a charge? I have a few that I don't think I trust anymore but want to know for sure that they're a loss before getting rid of them.


if you put a battery i n the charger and it shows full charge in five minutes it's dead. if i ever suspect a battery has issues i just pitch. my gut instincts are usually correct :D.

ed rader