Your thoughts on Li-ion batteries

[Mark Foley]

After having an older 960-type battery go down rather quickly on my son during our last gig, I'm wondering if I should change by battery stratergy for the future. A unique drawback of the Li-ion battery is that its life span is dependent upon aging from time of manufacturing (shelf life) regardless of whether it was charged, and not just on the number of charge/discharge cycles. This drawback is not widely publicized. I don't believe I've ever seen a manufacture date posted on any of the batteries I've purchased.

I'm beggining to think I may go with the cheaper batteries from Impact and replace them at a sooner interval. My fear is having my unmanned camera go down in the middle of a ceremony....

Thoughts?

[joemcmanus]

I'd hate to think that this could happen. We used to use Endura lithium batteries from IDX and before that the big old ni cad ones. Having switched to the Z1, having small compact yet long life batteries is something we are starting to take for granted.

I've heard of people losing charge with the 960s but fortunately I haven't experienced it yet.

My thoughts is that they are relatively cheap so why not just stay with them and replace them when needed?

Or get one of those nifty Sony to 4 pin power cables from IDX and have a battery belt as a backup. That always works too.

I'm always surprised that some people still expect to plug in to the power at the Church ;)

Happy to say nine years of videography and never ever had to plug in yet ;) (knock on wood)

[Mark Foley]

One thing that surprised me when I was looking at batteries listed on B&H, the Sony NP-970s are only warrented for 90 days. However, the cheaper Impact NP-970 are warrented for a year....

[MediaConcepts]

I have a 2 year old IDX battery that suddenly (almost) died. It only lasts a few minutes. I don't even take it with me anymore.

Joe

[ssvp]

I have 3 year old 960's that still have a full charge.. Of course I charge them with the song LCD full charge charger and then stick them in the freezer between uses..

[joemcmanus]

putting them in the freezer? Does that help?? I always assumed that cold temperatures were bad for battery life.

[Mark Foley]

Doing more research today, I discovered that it is best to store them at 40% (I have been charging them after use) and place them in the refrigerator...the article I read said not to freeze them though.

[ssvp]

I meant the fridge.. I put them in a plastic bag when I put them in there..

[Mark Foley]

I found this article on Li-Ion...pretty good material...
How to prolong lithium-based batteries (http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm)