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There are two types of battery for the camera:
- LITHIUM BATTERY CR2032 - The tiny lithium battery powers the
camera's memory backup of time code data . It is located inside the
camera body casing, beside the audio selector switches. These batteries
last around two years.
- RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES - These batteries power the camera
and the recorder. You will need a MINIMUM of three hours of battery
power. Anything less is pushing your luck. The main names are PAG,
Anton-Bauer, Frezzi
and IDX. If you buy your charger
from one manufacturer you don't necessarily have to buy all your batteries
from them, most chargers now work with other batteries, but check first.
The main battery technologies are Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Nickel
Cadmium referred to as ni-cads (NiCd) and Lithium-Ion (Li-ion). If you
want to know more about the types of battery available there is an article
on this site about battery
types: their pros and cons.
Ni-MH benefit from high headline capacity and an energy density up to
twice that of the old NiCd batteries, but suffer from poor low temperature
performance (you'll have difficulty charging in sub-zero temperatures)
most cannot deliver high load (not suitable with lights - although this
is changing), they are fairly heavy, have a low cycle life, and require
full discharge before recharging).
With Li-ion there is no full discharge required (they can be recharged
in any condition, with no memory effect), they deliver almost 40% more
power and are 50% lighter than standard NP NiCd, and they are more environmentally
friendly. However, they are expensive and because their internal resistance
is about double equivalent NiCd, they can offer poor performance with
high current applications (such as a digital camera with light).
TAKING CARE OF YOUR BATTERIES
- Batteries work best between 0°C and +40°C so try to keep them in a warm
place when working in cold conditions.
- Keep batteries away from intense heat (+ 60° C).
- Protect from vibration, do not drop them.
- Do not immerse in water, expose them to heavy rain, steam or high humidity.
If they do get wet remove any excess water and allow to dry naturally.
- Label your batteries A, B, C (etc) and use them in strict rotation. This
way they will all get equal use (and abuse).
- Do not put batteries in a pocket or bag with your keys, coins or any other
metal objects. Keys touching the metal contacts of the battery can get hot
and you may set your pants on fire!
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