fresh battery shows half full

<p>I've borrowed a friends' Rebel T3 (1100D), it came with two batteries. Hadn't been used for a while and both batteries showed about 1/2 full so I charged them till the charger's green light came on. But they still show 1/2 full. Since I'm new to this camera, is there something I should check?</p>

<p>Thanks all!</p>

<p>Paul</p>

Hey There Paul if they batteries have been unused for sometime, the best thing to to or what I have done is two options , I take very mild

sand paper and scuff up the brass tabs on both batteries and the Charger, u can also use a good grad eraser and get the same results

,even steel wool,works if u have any, so just scruff them up let them run all the way out and start the recharge adn your batteries should

show full again,they will do just what you are talking about if unused for a long period , this alway works ford me , I have the same

problem with all nicad or lithium batteries, and I use canon and knock batteries ,try this and if your still having a problem ,we canon

junkies will help you figure it out.

 

Jim

<p>That's also a sign that the batteries are nearing end of life. If you use them regularly, like several times a week, then they'll last several years and give full charges, but irregular use will shorten their lives. I'd try totally discharging them and then trying to charge them.</p>

<p>Thanks to both of you. I'll try running the battery down and then charge it again. Sounds like the way we used to treat Ni-Cads, I didn't think lithium batteries behaved that way. And I'll clean the contacts before re-charging.</p>

<p>I turned off the timed powerdown feature, I figured that was how to discharge the battery. May take a while... I'll let you know how it goes.</p>

<p>Regards,</p>

<p>Paul</p>

<p>Completely discharging (to 0V) Lithium Ion batteries will destroy them. However, the camera will shut itself off long before you've 'completely' discharged them (Even though they do not have adequate power to supply the camera, they still should read ~3.5-3.7V - as 'dead'). If you discharge them significantly below that, irreversible damage is done to the battery chemistry. Many chargers will not even charge a Li-Ion battery that reads below ~3.5V/cell (I don't know what the threshold for this particular charger is).</p>

<p>I would not expect any improvement by adding a charge/discharge cycle to their lives. They are not Ni-Cads, and don't hold a grudge. I would expect the most benefit would be seen by ensuring the contacts are clean (both the battery, and the camera). Using sandpaper for this task is NOT recommended (yes it'll work, but the increased surface area, and damage to the outer contact will encourage a lot of build up faster, which will be harder to clean). </p>

<p>Beyond that? I would suspect that these batteries are quite near to EOL.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>1. Completely discharging (to 0V) Lithium Ion batteries will destroy them. However, the camera will shut itself off long before you've 'completely' discharged them. <em>[so it doesn’t matter if you try it].</em><br>

2. I would not expect any improvement by adding a charge/discharge cycle to their lives.<br>

3. I would expect the most benefit would be seen by ensuring the contacts are clean <em>[and dry]</em> <em>[both the battery’s and the camera’s contacts]</em>.<br>

4. Using sandpaper for this task is NOT recommended.<br>

5. I would suspect that these batteries are quite near to End Of Life.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I concur. Thanks Marcus, those are the exact points I was about to scribe; though possibly I would have used more words.</p>

<p>WW</p>

<p>Thanks again everybody... I won't try to draw down the battery from now on, I'm not surprised to hear your cautions. These batteries aren't to be treated as Ni-Cads, I've learned that. Tried cleaning the contacts with a pencil eraser, but no luck. I'm afraid these batteries have had it. It's been months since my friend used this camera which from the sound of your messages, is probably the problem.</p>

<p>Thanks anyway!</p>

<p>Paul</p>

<p>Many times when I plug in my Canon 5D charger the indicator lights will go to solid within a few seconds, even though the battery is not fully charged.<br>

I unplug, then try again and charge cycle goes as expected.</p>

<p>Seems to me I've heard that too... a friend told me once he leaves the battery on charge long after it goes green. I'll try charging them again.</p>

<p>Thanks for that reminder!</p>

<p>Paul</p>