Protective Battery wallet

[Mitcon]

Just thought I'd share this with those of you who may be interested. I had been thinking for a while now about generic batteries for my 350D/XT. One of the problems I had and I heard others say was that the genuine Canon batteries came with the little cover to protect the terminals and generic batteries didn't normally come with anything. Some things I read about Lithium Ion batteries getting hot or shorting out and then going into thermal runaway reaching temps of 800 degrees celcius worried me a little.

From what I hear this doesn't happen very much, and is even less likely to happen if your careful with your batteries. A thread the other day on plastic cases for AA batteries got me thinking again about my Cameras battery. So after thinking about this I came up with an idea that would help protect the batteries from environmental cold or heat, shock, water and the contacts shorting out on other things.

It was suggested that I made these, put the POTN logo on them and sell them in the POTN shop. I don't know if enough people would be interested in this to make it worth while, if enough people are interested maybe they should talk to Phil about it. I can't really offer to make these myself as I have no way of sewing up a heap of them, as mine was hand stiched together just to make a prototype for myself.

I think it worked out well and also think they could be used/made for any type of battery really, not just camera batteries. The wallet I made cost me less than $1 to make and was pretty simple. If a ton of people like the idea I'm sure someone can have some mass made most likely but if not it's simple enough to make your own if interested. All you need is a small bit of Neoprene, some elastic and a zipper. Throw on a POTN badge and I think it would look pretty smart. Hope this is of help to some, enjoy :D

[nation]

I've got the same problem - how do I store my generics? I guess it's really just a matter of scouting around to find the right case.

The prototype you've come up with looks good and I'd be interested in something similar.

[grumpyhaggis]

Looks really good to me and a brilliantly simple idea. I'd certainly buy a couple depending on the price. I'm fed up with the generics rattling aound in my backpack.

[felix21685]

this is something ive been looking for..definatley interested.

[martook]

How much harder would it be to make it square? The cutting should be easier, the only thing that could be harder is to get the zipper right I guess?
Anwyay, I think that would look better (more "professional"), and easier to stash away if it was square, so I hope that's not too hard... I haven't done this kind of thing since school ;)

[Rob612]

I've got the same problem - how do I store my generics? I guess it's really just a matter of scouting around to find the right case.

The prototype you've come up with looks good and I'd be interested in something similar.

Problem solved brilliantly ! I don't use generics and have all the platic protections :)

Jokes aside, that's the only reason for I stick woth originals.

[nation]

Problem solved brilliantly ! I don't use generics and have all the platic protections :)

Jokes aside, that's the only reason for I stick woth originals.

yeah too true :eek:. no matter how overly priced OEM equipment can be they almost always have some attribute that makes it a better option even though they take the shirt off your back for that little bit of convenience.

How much harder would it be to make it square? The cutting should be easier, the only thing that could be harder is to get the zipper right I guess?

i was thinking the same but as pointed out the zipper could be a problem particularly with the case's padding. ideally i'd prefer square all round but curved isn't so much of problem given the back end will be squared off.

on second thoughts all you'd really need is something to protect the battery terminals so keeping the case flimsy to allow squaring could be an option??

[Mitcon]

I also used the little plastic plate that came with the Genuine battery but as I said I want something to protect the battery from the cold and heat. The little cover only protected the contacts. When I've been out in really cold weather I've had problem with batteries not working. I have had to rub them and store them close to my body to get them working. Summer here can get pretty hot, this is where I wanted protection from heat also.

As for the contour of the wallet I don't know, I made it this shape firstly just because I thought I'd like it. But also now thinking it may also be harder to sew with the right angles as the Neoprene I used is 2mm thick. It really was just an idea for what it was worth, someone with a sewing machine or better sewing skills than I lol, might have some better luck. I would think it would be alot neater inside if it was machine stiched.

But all your thoughts and ideas have merit, give it ago and try it for yourself :)

[EOSAddict]

Looks like a great idea - aonther POTN monopoly?

[Mitcon]

I don't know if enough people would be interested, but who knows. Neoprene is pretty good stuff I think, use a bit of imagination and you can make a ton of cool stuff from it. I grabbed a heap of different thinkness bits to play with ( got scraps/offcuts and it was free) thinking I could use it to make all kinds of things. Biggest problem is sewing things without a machine, wonder where I look to get them free lol.:rolleyes:

[cactusclay]

Thats a good idea, but what about just making an evelope with a velcro flap. Personally, I only have one extra battery for each camera, so I keep the one that is not in the camera in the plastic case. Have not yet needed more than two fully charged batteries for one days shooting, but I don't have the XT's smaller battery either, so perhaps it would be necessary for that camera. Good luck with your idea though.

[Les]

How about keeping spare batteries in a piece of bicycle tube?
You can cut a piece to fit single or 2 batteries. Whole package will be much smaller.
Just a thougt.