What's the truth about G2's batteries?

Hi All,

I was just wondering, if someone could enlighten me once and for all as to the truth about how often to charge the battery in my G2. I know that it's a Lithium Ion battery, isn't it? Well, so far, my knowledge of different batteries is thus;

NiCAD Batteries - Need to regularly be completely discharged and then recharged to reduce any 'memory effect' problems. These batteries don't handle being "topped up" with charge very well.

NiMH Batteries - Don't suffer from memory effect, and there for should never be deliberately run completely flat before re-charging. A NiMH battery's "favourite state" is fully charged, so top them up whenever possible.

LiON Batteries -? As far as I know, they don't suffer from memory effect, so I don't see any harm at all in simply plugging the camera back into charge even after taking only a few photos?


Can somebody please clear this up for me, as I'm sure that the answer will benefit all users of this forum. I've read through a few posts, but I still can't seem to find any solid evidence as to the correct procedure for when to charge. In general (with all battery reliant products), It seems as though most consumer knowledge of batteries is rather minimal, and most people apply the rules of NiCAD batteries to all rechargable batteries.

Thanks,

_________
Shane Kern

shanekern wrote:

LiON Batteries -? As far as I know, they don't suffer from memory effect, so I don't see any harm at all in simply plugging the camera back into charge even after taking only a few photos?

Shane Kern

from my reading, i believe this is the case with li-ion.
just charge it like your mobile phone.

but since the g2 is not easily charged like a mobile phone with a charging cradle (where u just put the phone in the cradle once u r at home), i just use the battery until its depleted, then use a spare battery.

once i'm back at home i charge both again, but now i'll use the spare as main.

As everything (?) in live, also a battery 'wears out' while in use and when stored.

Some Li-ion battery manufacturers specify the expected lifetime in eg. 1000 charging cycles. I found no specification in the canon manual about this.
So it is my expectation that LI-ion batteries will last long but the counter is ticking every time you plug in the charger.

Canon does recomend to take the battery out of the camera when not in use to prevent from slowly discharge, well i always forget to do that. Also canon warns us not to store the batteries fully charged as this 'may shorten battery life and diminisch performance'.

I only recharge the battery the day before i plan to use the camera extensively and, of course, whenever the battery runs flat.

I am doing so for the last 2 jears with my G1 and the battery is still performing very well

A very good question, and I wish I had the answer. The one thing that I do know is that "most" chargers are not "smart". NEVER leave your battery in a charger longer than necessary. If it is not a "smart" charger, you could burn it up in a very short period.