Global Media Pro Batteries (anton mount) and Anton Bauer Twin Charger not compatible?

[Ryan Fitzgerald]

So I received my Global Media Pro batteries in the mail and they wont charge on my new Anton Bauer charger? Why not? Do I really need to order a charger from Global Media Pro? I specifically didn't do that so that I could avoid dealing with a US plug adaptor for the charger. Maybe I'm doing something wrong? The Anton Twin charger flashes both red and green lights when I put the battery on to charge... I'm pretty sure its not a good thing. Anyone know if there is another charger I can pick up quickly that will charge after market Anton mount batteries?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Tom.Wong]

most third party batteries don't work on AB chargers. they look for a microchip built into their own AB batteries that does certain communication. without that it doesn't charge. you might have better luck with a switronix charger. no guarantees though, as they are not all universally made the same way.

 

[Todd T]

AB batteries will not charge unless they identify that they are attached to an AB charger
The chargers similarly will not charge a battery unless it identifies itself as an AB product.

It's not the first time that a manufacturer has tried to lock down their products.

Early Motorola Razr phones would not charge unless the USB power supply identified as a Motorola product
In fact you couldn't charge them from your laptop USB port unless you installed specific drivers.

Lexmark lost a lawsuit because they put ID chips in their refill ink cartridges and they tried to use copyright protection to prevent third party vendors from producing refills.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

The need to buy an additional charger is sort of a "hidden cost" of buying the cheaper "knock off" batteries. In the end, I realized, given the low number of AB batteries I need to own, and that fact that I already own an AB charger, that it was cheaper just to buy the real thing. By my calculation, for my situation, it only started make sense if I were going to buy 4 or more 90 wh batteries. YMMV

 

[Ryan Fitzgerald]

Yeah, I bought 5 of the 95w batteries, just ordered their charger. Will return the AB Twin travel charger... In the end that saves another $400. Guess I can just re-invest in other gear. I was wondering if the Switronix chager would work on these batteries? Anyone know?

 

[Bob Gundu]

I have the Switronix AB Charger so if anyone in the Toronto area with AB batteries want to try it out, be my guest.

Yeah, I bought 5 of the 95w batteries, just ordered their charger. Will return the AB Twin travel charger... In the end that saves another $400. Guess I can just re-invest in other gear. I was wondering if the Switronix chager would work on these batteries? Anyone know?