Panasonic Batteries

ggdragon · 4th June 2008

Hi,

Any other Panasonic users out there who like me experience lousy battery life on their cameras?

I own a DMC-FX5 (about 4 years old) and the battery life is terrible. About 30 shots max without flash. I currently have 2 batteries, both generic (I threw out the Panasonic brand battery long time ago). However, both batteries drain out very very very quickly.

I am thinking of upgrading to the TZ15 and have read that the battery life is poor. Any truth in that? Battery life is a main concern for me.

Martin · 5th June 2008

Seem like only generic gave u problem, but not pana batt, that could trace to bad quality of its' batt cells.

I have used eastgear brand of generic batt, which gives overall better value for $ than the original, and it last...

Suggest u get more comments from other users of this brand

ggdragon · 6th June 2008

Ok, some update...

I bought a new battery (non-Panasonic, PRO brand for $15 at Sim Lim Tower).

The owner of the shop took my old battery and told me it had a bulge...same problem as a previous thread in this Panasonic Forum too!

Indeed, my old battery can spin on a flat surface like a turtle on its back...Can't see the bulge, but it can be felt by rubbing my thumb on the surface.

Also when I bought the new battery, the owner told me that I have to charge it for at least 8 hours before use. Is it true? How do I take care of my battery from now on?

Martin · 7th June 2008

when i use eastgear, there is not specific charging pattern needed. i think that is what a good batt should behave. the pana charger simply able to sense a full charge, then just simply use it!

i guess 8 hrs charge only apply to old type of nickel cadmium batt, which now u will seldom see it.

off cos, for the first few uses, it gives u less shots, maybe 20% less. it is just like any other devices, eg handphone

note, do prepare to pay more for eastgear, maybe twice as much as what u pay at sim lim

Martin · 8th June 2008

i do not agree with that salesman talk.

the charger will stop charging when it reaches a preset voltage. the charger will auto shut. (normally less than 2 hrs). how can u charge a batt for 8 hrs? off & on the charger again?

...that sim lim guy...

ggdragon · 8th June 2008

Hmm...That Sim Lim guy said the first charge is the most important. Said must at least be 8 hours before using.

I'm not too sure myself, so researching on how to use / maintain Li-Ion batteries.

When using, do I use until the battery is fully discharged before charging again? Or can I charge it once after I take my camera out for use? Read that Li-Ion batteries have 'memory effect', so its better to use finish then charge. But the label on my new battery box says that the battery has no memory effect.

So far I haven't use / charge the new battery yet, as I want to make sure I do everything right.

Martin · 9th June 2008

- should try and see how u can possibly "control" a charger and an 8 hrs charge.

- probably u are still thinking of nickel cadmium kind of technology, which u relate to "mem effect", "fully discharge before use". li-ion do not hv these characteristics.

This website:
http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-12.htm

says "A moderate charge and discharge puts less stress on the battery, resulting in a longer cycle life."

- there are many article says u should charge as often as u wish, therefore when using this batt, u should not bother about rules

4th June 2008	#1
ggdragon New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15	Panasonic Batteries Hi, Any other Panasonic users out there who like me experience lousy battery life on their cameras? I own a DMC-FX5 (about 4 years old) and the battery life is terrible. About 30 shots max without flash. I currently have 2 batteries, both generic (I threw out the Panasonic brand battery long time ago). However, both batteries drain out very very very quickly. I am thinking of upgrading to the TZ15 and have read that the battery life is poor. Any truth in that? Battery life is a main concern for me.

5th June 2008	#2
Martin Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 107	Re: Panasonic Batteries Seem like only generic gave u problem, but not pana batt, that could trace to bad quality of its' batt cells. I have used eastgear brand of generic batt, which gives overall better value for $ than the original, and it last... Suggest u get more comments from other users of this brand

6th June 2008	#3
ggdragon New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15	Re: Panasonic Batteries Ok, some update... I bought a new battery (non-Panasonic, PRO brand for $15 at Sim Lim Tower). The owner of the shop took my old battery and told me it had a bulge...same problem as a previous thread in this Panasonic Forum too! Indeed, my old battery can spin on a flat surface like a turtle on its back...Can't see the bulge, but it can be felt by rubbing my thumb on the surface. Also when I bought the new battery, the owner told me that I have to charge it for at least 8 hours before use. Is it true? How do I take care of my battery from now on?

7th June 2008	#4
Martin Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 107	Re: Panasonic Batteries when i use eastgear, there is not specific charging pattern needed. i think that is what a good batt should behave. the pana charger simply able to sense a full charge, then just simply use it! i guess 8 hrs charge only apply to old type of nickel cadmium batt, which now u will seldom see it. off cos, for the first few uses, it gives u less shots, maybe 20% less. it is just like any other devices, eg handphone note, do prepare to pay more for eastgear, maybe twice as much as what u pay at sim lim

8th June 2008	#5
Martin Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 107	Re: Panasonic Batteries i do not agree with that salesman talk. the charger will stop charging when it reaches a preset voltage. the charger will auto shut. (normally less than 2 hrs). how can u charge a batt for 8 hrs? off & on the charger again? ...that sim lim guy...

8th June 2008	#6
ggdragon New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15	Re: Panasonic Batteries Hmm...That Sim Lim guy said the first charge is the most important. Said must at least be 8 hours before using. I'm not too sure myself, so researching on how to use / maintain Li-Ion batteries. When using, do I use until the battery is fully discharged before charging again? Or can I charge it once after I take my camera out for use? Read that Li-Ion batteries have 'memory effect', so its better to use finish then charge. But the label on my new battery box says that the battery has no memory effect. So far I haven't use / charge the new battery yet, as I want to make sure I do everything right.

9th June 2008	#7
Martin Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 107	Re: Panasonic Batteries - should try and see how u can possibly "control" a charger and an 8 hrs charge. - probably u are still thinking of nickel cadmium kind of technology, which u relate to "mem effect", "fully discharge before use". li-ion do not hv these characteristics. This website: http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-12.htm says "A moderate charge and discharge puts less stress on the battery, resulting in a longer cycle life." - there are many article says u should charge as often as u wish, therefore when using this batt, u should not bother about rules