Recharging Camera Batteries: Efficient Nightly Routine

Recharging camera batteries every night is a common practice for photographers, especially those who shoot daily or have important shoots. This ensures the batteries are always ready to go and helps prolong their life. However, it's important to note that the frequency of recharging depends on several factors, including camera usage, battery capacity, settings, temperature, and firmware. Let's delve into the details of how to recharge multiple camera batteries efficiently.

Charging camera batteries via USB

Charging via USB with the Battery Inside the Camera

Some camera models allow you to charge the battery while it is inside the camera. This can be done by connecting the camera directly to a computer or a power adapter using a USB cable. For example, the Canon PowerShot N can be charged via USB by following these steps:

• Slide open the cover.
• Insert the battery, ensuring it is facing the right way, and push it until it clicks into the locked position.
• Lower the cover and slide it until it clicks into the closed position.
• Open the digital terminal cover and insert the smaller plug of the interface cable into the camera terminal.
• Connect the larger plug of the interface cable to a power source, such as a computer's USB terminal or a compact power adapter.

It is important to note that you cannot use the camera to take photos while the battery is charging. Additionally, charging continuously for more than 24 hours is not recommended to protect the battery and maintain its optimal condition.

Using a Third-Party USB Charger

If your camera does not support direct USB charging, you may need to purchase a third-party USB charger that is compatible with your specific battery model. These chargers are available for various camera brands, including Nikon and Sony. When searching for a charger, ensure that it is a USB battery charger that draws power from a USB input rather than an AC charger with a USB output.

Using a third-party USB charger offers several advantages, including portability and the ability to charge your batteries on the go using external USB battery packs. However, it is important to note that these chargers are not endorsed by camera manufacturers, and there may be potential risks associated with charging lithium batteries incorrectly.

Factors to Consider

When charging camera batteries via USB, there are a few factors to keep in mind:

• Charging Time: The charging time may vary depending on the remaining battery capacity, charging conditions, and temperature.
• Battery Capacity: Different wireless camera models have varying battery capacities, which will affect how often they need to be charged.
• Power Source: Ensure that the USB power source can supply sufficient power for charging. For example, a USB port that supplies 5V/2A power is recommended for camera charging.
• Charging Indicator: Most cameras have a charging lamp or indicator that lets you know when charging is in progress, complete, or paused due to temperature issues.

Charging camera batteries in a car

Firstly, you could use a car charger with a car adapter. This is a cheap option, at around $10, but may only be useful for this one purpose.

Another option is to use a power inverter. This will convert the car's DC power to AC power, allowing you to plug in your standard charger. These are available for around $15-$50, and can be very useful for charging multiple devices, not just camera batteries. However, they can drain your car battery if left for a few days without the engine running, and they can be noisy.

If you are driving a lot, you could also consider charging your camera batteries via an external battery. This can be a more efficient option than using a car's 12V outlet, and it means your batteries can charge while the car is stopped.

When considering how to charge your camera batteries, it is important to remember that some chargers only operate on 110V AC, so you may need to use a power inverter or buy a third-party charger that operates from a lower voltage, such as 12V or 5V (USB).

It is also worth noting that some cameras can charge their batteries via USB, so you may already have a compatible charger to hand.

Charging camera batteries while camping

When camping, you'll likely be away from outlets, so it's important to plan how you will charge your camera batteries. Here are some tips to ensure your camera batteries stay charged while camping:

Before Your Trip

Before you leave for your camping trip, ensure your devices are fully charged. If you're driving to your camping location, keep your chargers in your car, so you can utilise any time spent driving to charge your devices.

During Your Trip

If you're camping near your car, you can use a portable external car battery with an outlet to plug your camera's charger into. This is a convenient option, but it does mean that one slot will always be taken up when charging, and you won't be able to take the battery with you if you venture deeper into the wilderness.

Another option is to use portable battery packs. Most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras can be charged via a USB port. You can plug a USB cable into a portable battery and directly into your camera to charge as you hike or relax at camp. This method only charges one battery at a time and can be slow, but you can also find battery chargers with a USB port to charge your batteries directly.

If you're backpacking and won't have a base camp, you can hang a solar charger off your backpack to charge your devices while you hike. Solar chargers are also a great option if you have a base camp. Simply set up the solar panels in a bright, sunny area, and let them charge your power bank while you enjoy your surroundings. However, solar panels can be bulky, charging can be slow, and they are dependent on good weather.

Additional Tips to Preserve Battery Life

• Turn off wireless settings on your camera to prevent it from trying to connect to a wireless device.
• Lower the brightness of your LCD screen or turn it off completely to conserve energy.
• Turn off automatic sensor cleaning.
• Put your headlamp in "red-light" mode to illuminate your surroundings without using as much battery power.
• Protect your devices from extreme temperatures, which can cause batteries to drain faster.

Charging camera batteries in cold weather

Cold weather can be harsh on camera batteries, with temperatures affecting their performance and lifespan. Here are some tips to help you keep your camera batteries charged and ready for use, even in freezing conditions.

Understand the Impact of Cold Weather

Firstly, it's important to understand how cold weather affects your camera batteries. In freezing temperatures, batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries, experience a significant decrease in capacity and produce electricity more slowly and less efficiently. This means that a fully charged camera battery may only last half as long, or even less, compared to when it's used in warm conditions.

Bring Extra Batteries

When shooting in cold weather, always bring extra batteries. This is a recommendation from photographers who have experienced the challenges of cold-weather photography. They advise that, despite your best efforts to keep batteries warm, they will eventually "drain faster no matter how warm you store them." So, it's better to be prepared with fully charged spares.

Keep Batteries Close to Your Body

One effective way to keep your spare batteries warm is to store them close to your body. Place them in an inside coat or jacket pocket, preferably one near your core, like an inside breast pocket. This will help maintain their temperature, and you can quickly swap them into your camera when needed.

Alternatively, consider using a small fanny pack worn under your outer layers. This keeps the batteries easily accessible and provides consistent warmth, no matter how many layers you're wearing.

Warm Up Dead Batteries

If you're caught in the cold without any spare batteries and your only battery dies, you can try warming it up to get a little more life out of it. Simply remove the battery from your camera and place it in your pocket or hold it in your hand for a few minutes. Once it's warmed up, you may be able to take a few more shots before it dies again.

Avoid Rapid Temperature Changes

While it's important to keep your batteries warm, be careful not to warm them up too quickly. Don't place them too close to a heat source like a fire or heater, as this can permanently damage the battery. Instead, warm them slowly using body temperature or by placing them in a warm room.

Recharge at Night

If you're camping or staying in a cold location overnight, plan to recharge your batteries while you sleep. Keep them in a sleeping bag with you, or if you're using a power source, recharge them inside your sleeping bag to keep them warm during the process.

Additional Tips:

• Don't continuously charge your batteries without using them if they are already fully charged or nearly so, as this can cause a deterioration in battery performance.
• Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for charging your camera batteries, including recommended temperatures for charging.
• Consider using a power bank or portable charger as an alternative power source for your camera if it's a mirrorless model.

Using solar panels to charge camera batteries

Choosing the Right Solar Panel

The first step is to select a suitable solar panel for your needs. Goal Zero offers an excellent range of lightweight and portable solar panels, such as the Nomad 7 Plus, which is highly regarded for its durability and compact design. The Nomad 7 Plus can directly charge your devices, eliminating the need for a separate battery pack. If you need more power, consider the Nomad 14 Plus or 28 Plus, which offer higher wattages for faster charging. Remember to factor in the weight and portability of the panel, especially if you're hiking or travelling light.

Selecting a Compatible Battery Charger

Not all camera batteries can be charged via USB. For Canon, Nikon, and Leica DSLRs, you'll need a dedicated third-party USB battery charger. Nitecore offers a range of small and lightweight USB camera battery chargers compatible with various camera brands, including Canon, Nikon, and Leica. Make sure to choose the correct charger model for your specific camera battery.

Understanding Charging Times

The charging time for your camera battery will depend on various factors, including the amount of sunlight the panel receives and the angle of exposure. It's important to note that direct solar charging may not be as fast as charging from a wall outlet. In favourable conditions, you can expect to charge your camera battery to around 30% in about 5 hours with a 7-watt panel. The larger the solar panel, the faster your batteries will charge.

Adding a Battery Pack

If you plan to charge your camera battery overnight or when there's no sunlight, consider adding a battery pack to your setup. Goal Zero's Venture 30 is a rugged and water-resistant power bank designed for outdoor use. It pairs well with the Nomad 7 panel and can be charged via solar or through a standard USB adaptor. The Venture 30 also allows you to charge multiple devices simultaneously.

Other Benefits of Solar Charging

Solar charging solutions offer the advantage of charging multiple devices, including your camera, phone, GPS device, headlamp, and more. This versatility can be beneficial when you're travelling light and want to minimise the number of spare batteries you need to carry. Additionally, solar charging can provide a reliable power source for extended trips or situations where you may be away from mains power for extended periods.

Tips for Efficient Solar Charging

• Ensure your solar panel is oriented towards the equator and tilted at an angle approximating your latitude angle to maximise sunlight exposure.
• Consider the power requirements of your camera and choose a suitable battery and solar panel size. Calculate the watt-hours of your camera battery and divide it by the wattage of your solar charger to estimate charging times.
• Use a solar charge controller to regulate voltage and current, preventing overcharging and over-discharging of your battery.
• Select the appropriate cable size to minimise voltage drop and power loss during charging.

Frequently asked questions