batteries

[dennis_moran]

<p>I have a Nikon coolpix L100, my display showed batteries exhausted so I replaced them ( 4AA) with 4 Duracell MIHM batteries which were charged in the Duracell charger, put in camera and same message appeared, bought Everready MIHM batteries and charger and charged, put in camera and same message, Batteries Exhausted!! Any suggestions are welcomed</p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>NiMH batteries are 1.2v, even fully charged. You might want to try with 4 alkaline AA's.</p>

[Michael R Freeman]

<blockquote>

<p>"<em>NiMH batteries are 1.2v, even fully charged."</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Actually, they're usually 1.35-1.4V when fully charged. :-)</p>

<p>Nevertheless, see page 14 of your L100 user manual:<br>

<em><strong>"Rechargeable batteries cannot be used".</strong></em><br>

In other words, when all else fails, RTFM. ;-)</p>

<p>You need to use 1.5V alkaline or L91 disposable AA lithium cells in the L100.</p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>Michael, at least the ones I have specify 1.2v.</p>

[Michael R Freeman]

<p>Yes Shun, they <strong>all</strong> specify the <strong>nominal</strong> 1.2V on the packaging and cells. But they typically charge to 1.3-1.4V, and good NiMH cells such as the Eneloops will hold that peak voltage for some time. 1.5V alkalines are not really 1.5V, but are usually at least 1.6V when fresh.</p>

<p>The 12V battery system in your car doesn't run at 12V either. :-)</p>

[frank_skomial]

<p>There seems to be common and repeated confusion about battery voltages.</p>

<p>Voltage level of battery is defined by the chemical property of the batery technology, and does not depend on method of charging or applied voltage of charging.</p>

<p><em>"But they typically charge to 1.3-1.4V,"</em> - yes, the charger must provide higher than 1.2 V voltage to cause some charging current flows. The difference between the nominal battery voltage needed, and the charging a bit higher voltage must exist. Value of the charging voltage regulates the charging current and the time needed to fully charge, but the final voltage that the battery will produce does not change with variation of charging voltage.</p>

<p>The value of charging voltage (or current as the result of) differs between fast chargers, where a higher voltage is applied so more current flow is allowed. Slower chargers use lower voltage that causes smaller charging current, and requires much more time to fully charge.</p>

<p>NIMH batteries hold 1.2 VDC and when charging is finished, shortly after the battery cools down the voltage settles at the level defined by the chemical technology used. Any excess voltage that could possibly be observed immediately after charging is finished will be dissipated as heat. Final voltage does not depend if you use higher or lower voltage charger, slower or faster chargers. No matter what voltage you charge the NIHM, you will only get the 1.2V.</p>

[leif_goodwin8]

<p>NiMH batteries will provide a relatively constant voltage to the camera. Disposable batteries such as Duracell will provide a steadily dropping voltage. It looks as if there is something wrong with the camera. If you are lucky it is no more than dirty contacts.</p>

[Jerry_]

<p>Four batteries (of the 1.5v variety) make 6v available to the camera.</p>

<p>Some older film Nikon bodies, the F100 - for one, work well with four 1.5v AA cells, and not-so-well with four NiMh AA cells that are rated less than 1.5v.</p>

<p>It is possible that Nikon's L100 is in this category: not getting 6 volts to operate with, the camera does not function. Four AA cells @ 1.2 volts will never = 6 volts.</p>

<p> </p>

[dennis_moran]

<p>Shun, thank you, your solution worked and thanks for all the other responses as I really do appreciate all the help. Dennis</p>