Monday, August 9, 2010

Extend The Life Of A Camcorder Battery

Camcorders, like any small personal electronics devices, can go through batteries quickly. After a few uses, batteries may also fail to hold a charge as well as they did at first, and they may run low on power in less time than before. While these batteries can be replaced with new ones, over time this can be expensive. Certain steps can be taken to prevent battery depletion and extend the life of a camcorder battery.


Instructions








1. Allow the battery to fully discharge. When a camcorder signals that the battery is low, the first reaction is to charge it right away. Not allowing a battery to fully discharge before it is recharged can actually shorten its lifespan.


2. Avoid overcharging the battery. Another common problem with battery life on a camcorder battery is that they are left on the charger for several hours at a time, often overnight. Overcharging batteries can actually make them weaker over time and lessen their ability to hold a charge.


3. Read the battery instructions. Most camcorder batteries come with instructions on proper charging. The owner's manual for a camcorder can also contain this information. It will indicate how long the battery will need to be charged for and the expected life of that battery.


4. Avoid extreme temperatures. Battery life will be longer if they are kept away from extreme heat or cold. Room temperature or approximately 72 degrees is the best temperature for batteries. While it may not always be possible to protect batteries from the elements, especially when traveling, it is best to keep them covered and in a spot where they will not be exposed to either heat or cold air.








5. Remove the battery from the camcorder when not in use. Even though a device may not be on, keeping a battery inserted into the camcorder may cause it to run low. Separate the two and store them separately in the camera bag.

Tags: battery fully, battery fully discharge, camcorder battery, fully discharge, heat cold, hold charge