can I "over-charge" the batteries?

[Brandon Fraley]

I just leave them on the charger whenever I'm not using them, sometimes for days. is this wrong?

 

[Vigen Vartanov]

No it is ok .

 

[Ramesh Jai]

Why would you do that in the first place? You are simply wasting energy.

 

[Matthew Ward]

you have to maintain you batteries or they will go to crap on you.

 

[Julio Quintana]

How do you maintain them? Put them in the freezer?

 

[Julio Quintana]

I'm not being cynical. How do you actually maintain these batteries?

 

[Nick Gardner]

By leaving them on a charger. Lions do pretty well with self discharge, I believe if they are to be stored for a long period most manufacturers recomend 50% charge. Maybe somebody from Red or AB could step in at this point, but that's my understanding of the situation.

Nick

 

[SF Geek]

You're supposed to leave them on charge most of the time?

 

[Rick Darge]

I don't like to get near Lions. They'll eat you

 

[Eirik Tyrihjel]

I don't like to get near Lions. They'll eat you

That´s why you need the RED CAGE with your camera!

 

[Paul Hazlett]

Its best to leave your batteries on the charger at all times. there are circuits in the charger that tell it when the batts are full and then as the battery starts to lose power by sitting the charger will deliver whats called a "trickle charge" keeping them topped of and ready to go when you need them.

 

[Dylan Macleod CSC]

Its best to leave your batteries on the charger at all times. there are circuits in the charger that tell it when the batts are full and then as the battery starts to lose power by sitting the charger will deliver whats called a "trickle charge" keeping them topped of and ready to go when you need them.

I find this a little misleading.

If I am not going to use my camera for two weeks, I am not going to put the batteries on charge for that time.

I assume having your batteries on charge 24/7/360 is going to diminish their life.

 

[Sam Roberts]

I have always left them on the charger, sometimes for a couple of months. I believe Anton Bauer recommends this. Might depend on the charger though.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

If you do not use batteries for extended period of time, store them off the charger, with 50%-80% charge, in a dry, cool area.

Just top up before use.

It is not recommended to leave batteries on a charger. The reason is that Li-Io batteries are very sensitive to overcharge and, while there are circuits preventing it, the tolerance is very small.

Some chargers may not effectively prevent overcharge over extended period of time. I ruined a few notebook batteries on Sony Vaio :bleh: this way. Essentially after 12 months being "trickle charged" (installed in the notebook connected to mains power) they were throw away despite me using them less than 10 times in that period.

Hope it answers your question.

 

[Paul Hazlett]

I find this a little misleading.

If I am not going to use my camera for two weeks, I am not going to put the batteries on charge for that time.

I assume having your batteries on charge 24/7/360 is going to diminish their life.

here is what AB says about lith_Ion batts.

•The Dionic 90 battery can remain on the charger until just prior t
being used. The LifeSaver (STEADY GREEN charger LED indication
maintenance routine keeps the battery charged and ready for use. If th
battery will not be used for an extended period (more than 60 days) se
“Operating Guidelines” on page 11.

If they are going to set longer than 60 days, store them at about 50%
charge and routinely discharge every couple months or so.

 

[Brandon Fraley]

If they are going to set longer than 60 days, store them at about 50%
charge and routinely discharge every couple months or so.

alright. I basically use them about once a week, the rest of the time they're on the charger. Sounds like this is fine.

 

[Birns and Sawyer]

alright. I basically use them about once a week, the rest of the time they're on the charger. Sounds like this is fine.

Yes, if used that regularly they are best on the charger.