Michael Fitzer
Everyone who has a camcorder has at least one battery. But not all are created equal and knowing which kind of battery and how to best take care of it can be the difference between getting the shot and running to an outlet.
Does this sound familiar? You’re running out of daylight but you only have one more shot to grab before you call it a day. There are still two ticks left on your camera’s battery indicator and then suddenly everything goes black! A dead battery on your camcorder and no charged spare in your bag means no shot. Knowing more about the type of batteries on the market and how they work will allow you to find the right one for your needs and hopefully keep you from missing that golden moment.
Everyone knows what a battery is right? OK, before reading on, see if you can come up with a definition for the word. You have 10 seconds. 10 . . . 9 . . . 8 . . .
OK, time’s up. Coming up with the correct definition was probably more
difficult than you thought, right? Put simply, a battery can be any kind of tool that stores energy for later use. However, in this context, the word battery refers to any electrochemical mechanism that uses two electrodes—an anode and a cathode— connected via an electrolyte, which converts chemical energy into electricity.
There are a number of dependable batteries on the market. As for manufacturers, it’s difficult to call one better than another. Knowing which type of battery best suits your needs will allow you to make the right choice, at the right price.
When thinking about your next battery purchase, there are three different battery types you will want to consider, NiCd, NiMH, and Li-ion.
When used under normal conditions (i.e. no extreme heat, moisture, or excessive physical abuse), any of these cell types will provide you two to three years of dependable operation.
So, you’ve been shooting out in the field for most of the day. You’d like to continue uninterrupted but are unsure about which one of your batteries has the most charge. In the old days you might swap-out batteries on your camera to reveal which one is up to the task. However many batteries today are now equipped with complex “fuel gauging” technology that allows users to read a built-in lighted meter that indicates how much battery life remains on the current charge.
Batteries that utilize fuel gauges are more expensive than those without, but some consider the increased user friendliness worth the extra cost.
While they are efficient mechanisms, no battery can hold a charge indefinitely. Just like single use batteries, rechargeable batteries, when left unused for long periods, will de-charge on their own. As previously stated, to avoid problems with voltage depression it is best to de-charge and then recharge or “cycle” your battery. You might think that in order to de-charge the battery you have to use it until it quite simply quits or pay more for a battery charger/de-charger (sometimes marketed
as battery conditioners). While those solutions ensure a full de-charge, depending on what you’re doing at the time, that former scenario could prove to be rather inconvenient and the latter is more expensive. While it’s best to cycle your batteries at least once every month to ensure maximum performance, you do not have to necessarily be using your battery to make sure it de-charges. You can leave it unused for a long period of time and achieve the same results. When you aren’t using your batteries, make sure that they have attained a full charge and keep them stored in a cool, dry place.
With all the talk about new ways to energize the country, the potential doesn’t stop at the car in your driveway. Someday, you may walk into your local retailer and purchase a handy little fuel cell for your home-video camera. In fact, if research is any indication, fuel cells that use methanol as their primary renewable source of energy could be available for portable consumer devices.
While these new sources of energy pack up to 60 percent more energy than the most reliable battery on the consumer market, the chance that they’ll immediately replace your standard batteries is slim. Nevertheless, the possibilities are very exciting. When the technology finally comes into play you will no longer replace your battery or have to hunt down an AC outlet to recharge. Instead, your camera (or other portable device) will house a fuel cell capable of accepting a liquid or gaseous “injection” in order to recharge.
Whether you’re next battery purchase is driven by need, desire or simply by price, there’s a battery on the market that’s just right for you. But remember, no matter what type you buy, following the rules of good care will ensure you get the best performance out of your battery.
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