how often is it okay to charge the battery? 350XT

[fetching]

This would apply to other batteries as well, but I'm wondering how often I can charge the battery?

some people say you are supposed to drain it, then charge it. others say you can charge it whenever you want to. i want to get max life and charge from the batteries i have (expensive little buggers), and i'd hate to think i am wrecking them by charging too often.

I currently put the battery back in the charger after i shoot, say, a 1GB card. i try to not leave them in the charger too long.

any words of wisdom?

thanks :)

[DocFrankenstein]

I say don't worry about it and just use the thing. Don't re-charge it after only a few shots, but it should last you more than a year anyways... no matter how you use it.

After that... there will be third party batteries available for 15 bucks each or you could get a battery grip and just run on 4AAs

[gasrocks]

These newer batteries do not develop a "memory effect." So, you can charge them at any time, for any amount. Leaving them in the charger is ok, too. Have extras, good ones are indeed cheap - so worry about something else going wrong.

[toyguru]

Li-ion batteries are NOT supposed to be drained. They can be charged with a charge still in the battery. The new chargers sense how much power there is in the battery and charges the battery accordingly.

I have had occasions that a lithium-ion battery drains to zero and the battery no longer wants to charge correctly. The old ni-cads are the ones that you need to drain completely.

[ddelallata]

After that... there will be third party batteries available for 15 bucks each or you could get a battery grip and just run on 4AAs

The battery pack for the 350/ REBEL XT runs on 6 AA batteries and they drain very very quickly. I found that the optional battery pack also runs on one or two NB2LH batteries.

[DocFrankenstein]

The battery pack for the 350/ REBEL XT runs on 6 AA batteries and they drain very very quickly. I found that the optional battery pack also runs on one or two NB2LH batteries.
I'm surprised. I didn't know that. I'm using the old rebel, so I've never experienced that yet.

Is it NiMh that die fast?

[loon]

canon recommends you do not recharge within 24 hours (of last charging) and that you do not store the battery fully charged for LONG periods. also do not run them flat to charge. thats from the pamphlet that came with my spare battery. also you should not leave it on the charger (once charged) for too long - from memory.

also do not leave them in camera for long periods of storage (it slowly drains the battery - which could also reduce performance)

so i just charge the night before. then take them out when i get home and store like that till i use again.

[Macro]

Good article on lithium-based batteries...
http://batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm

[MOSS]

I'm using a slow charger now. It's really killing me sometime.

I would like to buy a new faster charger for my NiMH and NiCd batteries. Would you recommand some good chargers?

Or just tell me what charger r you using (fast)? Do you thing it is good?

Thanks a lot!