LP-E6 Batteries - What Dual Charger?

[PicSniper]

Hello everyone,

Like some of us here on POTN, I drank the Kool-Aid and sold my 50D in order to purchase the 7D. As a personal preference, I like to have a battery grip on my cameras, so I've opted for the BG-E7 grip to go along with the 7D. As I've read, the 7D uses the LP-E6 battery, which happens to be the same battery that the 5DII uses. Well, I assumed that the Hahnel Twin V Pro Dual Charger that I currently own would also charge the LP-E6 batteries. As it turns out, this is an incorrect assumption on my behalf. The Hahnel is a GREAT charger and I really would like to keep it, but there's just no way that the LP-E6 battery will fit the slots in the charger's cartridge. The cartridge that my charger comes with is the T1 cartridge which, as per Hahnel, is made to accept all of Canon's batteries. Well, I've done some research and there doesn't seem to be anything out there about this issue, so I would like to know from my fellow POTN'ers what twin charger you are using to charge the LP-E6 batteries?

I certainly hope Hahnel comes out with an updated slot cartridge because, like I've already stated, I really like this charger.

Thanks in advance for your replies!

[PicSniper]

UPDATE: I received an e-mail from Hahnel this morning. This is what they said:

"Thank you for your recent email.

At present, we do not have a plate for the LP-E6 battery. I do not have a production timescale of when this will be available. I suggest that you contact me again at the beginning of December when I may have additional information.

Kind regards

Joanne"


From this e-mail, it looks like they're working on a solution that will probably be available sometime next year.

In the meantime, what twin charger are you using to charge your LP-E6 batteries?

Thanks...

[Jon]

I don't think there is one. But most twin chargers I've seen don't charge two batteries simultaneously, only consecutively. So there's no real gain (aside from not having to swap the one out when it's full) over using a single-battery charger.

[PicSniper]

Jon,

Thank you for your input. That's why I love the Hahnel charger, it does charge the two batteries simultaneously and gives you an individually backlit LCD display for each battery showing a bar graph and a charge percentage. I also like the fact that it comes with two cords, one for AC power at the house and one for DC power for when I need to charge my batteries in the car. It all folds up nice and compact, too. I haven't been able to find a replacement for it, so I guess I'll have to wait for the updated cartridge, regardless.

[LAD]

I'm interested as well. Please post when you have an update PicSniper.

[PicSniper]

I'm interested as well. Please post when you have an update PicSniper.

Will do, LAD!

By the way, I take it you also own this charger and are in the same predicament as I am? If so, what are your thoughts on the charger? Just wondering...

[HankScorpio]

I loved my Twin V when I had a 40D. Why can't Canon make a charger with a proper percentage readout? It was also cool for testing which battery in your bag was charged.

[PicSniper]

UPDATE: The "T9" plate for the LP-E6 battery is finally listed on Hahnel's website. I wrote them an e-mail and we'll see what they say about how to obtain one.

[PicSniper]

Well, the answer I got back was not the one I was hoping for, but I guess it is what it is. Apparently, the newer units that were manufactured sometime in late 2009 and newer (which look identical and have the same part number) have the "T9" adapter for the LP-E6 batteries, BUT ALSO HAVE DIFFERENT SOFTWARE INSIDE THE UNIT! As I was told by Hahnel, if you have the older unit, even if you put on the "T9" adapter, it will not charge the LP-E6 batteries. The solution offered to me? Buy a new unit! Well, that's not exactly what I call customer service, but they do make a mean charger, so I might do just that.

To sum things up, if you're considering the purchase of this charger, make sure you purchase the one that includes the "T9" adapter in the box. If you don't, you won't be able to charge your 5DII or 7D batteries (LP-E6).

[ecub]

Here's a solution...
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=843679

[PicSniper]

Here's a solution...
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=843679

I saw that earlier. Thanks for the help!

[powaysteve]

Delkin has a dual charger that will charge LP-E6 batteries. All you have to do is order the charger with the LP-E6 plates as this charger can charger many different models of batteries. Check it out at http://www.delkin.com/products/batteries/dual-universal-charger/index.html

[ecub]

Yep, that's why I linked that other thread talking about the Delkin chargers. I don't think the admins want 2 threads talking about the same thing.