[Lrd Van Helsing]

Hi all,

I'm probably not using my HF-S10 as much as I should be, and it's spending a lot of it's life sitting on my desk next to me whilst I work.

I'm getting a bit worried about the battery though, as i've either left it off and let the battery drain, or left it with the power cable plugged in. Neither, I understand are good practice - but as I don't use it every day, nor do I have batteries to start rotating around, I'm not sure what to do.

At the moment I've just left it on (the LCD isn't on, and the Auto-Power-off isn't on) to discharge it completely. Then to recharge it again a short while after it's empty. Needless to say I can see this becoming a hassle.

I've read about battery chargers out there that have conditioning / refresh cycles ready at the push of a button. Would this be a good investment for battery life, and are they available for the Li-ion batteries used in the HF-S10?

Or should I just leave it, and when I come to use it, either bite the bullet and use the battery or just outright replace it if it's bad.

Thanks,

[Tinderbox (UK)]

Since it`s a li-ion battery, if your not going to use it for a few months , it`s best to discharge it to 40% put it in a couple of zip lock bag`s and put it in the bottom of you fridge, but when you come to use it , give it a couple of hours to return to room temperature before you connect it to your camcorder.

have a look at the link below.

Storing and priming of batteries

[Lrd Van Helsing]

Ok, it's at about 80% charge at the moment. I'll leave it on for a little longer, then find some bag, seal it up (somehow, maybe tape) and sling it in the fridge.

Though my fridge does get pretty cold. Cold as in, turning Greek Yogurt near solid. Don't know how that translates into Celsius though.

Cheers,

[A n d r e w]

Originally Posted by Tinderbox (UK)

it`s best to discharge it to 40% put it in a couple of zip lock bag`s and put it in the bottom of you fridge, but when you come to use it , give it a couple of hours to return to room temperature before you connect it to your camcorder.

All that for a 2% benefit (according to the stats you've linked to)? The zip-lock/refrigeration hardly seems worth it, though the partial discharging does if the figures are trustworthy.

Refrigerators usually operate in the range of +4 to +7 degrees C - the figures quoted only give results for 0 degrees and 25 degrees.

[Lrd Van Helsing]

Right, well my battery is at 50% charge - to fridge or not to fridge?

And if not-to-fridge, would just keeping it connected to the camera, but the camera turned off be OK?