Extending Camera Battery Life: Testing Tips And Tricks

Testing your camera battery is a crucial step in ensuring your device is ready for use. While some cameras offer a 'Battery info' screen in their settings, others require more manual methods. One way to test your camera battery is to use a multimeter to check the voltage and load. Alternatively, you can test the battery under a load, such as by using a small incandescent lamp or setting up interval shooting with the flash turned on. For Canon cameras, the battery icon on the LCD monitor indicates the battery charge level, with a blinking red icon signalling that the battery is nearly depleted. Additionally, DIY solutions, such as using reversible battery contact covers, can help track which batteries are charged and which ones need recharging.

Check the on-screen icon or message for the battery charge level

Checking the on-screen icon or message for the battery charge level is a straightforward way to test your camera's battery life. Many modern cameras, such as Canon's EOS models, feature a 'Battery info' screen in their menus, which can provide valuable insights into the battery's performance. This option is usually found in the camera's settings or status bar.

For instance, on a Samsung phone, you can view the status bar at the top of the screen to see both the battery icon and the power percentage. The percentage displayed can be customised according to your preference. By accessing the Advanced Settings, you can choose to show or hide the battery percentage.

Similarly, iPhone users can touch the battery icon in the top right corner to see a larger "state of charge" displayed on the screen. This feature is related to the Accessibility and Text Size settings. By enabling Larger Text and adjusting the text size slider, you can easily view a bigger display of the battery charge.

Additionally, you can perform a manual test by turning off the "automatic standby" mode and allowing the camera to display an image on the screen for an extended period. The time it takes for the battery to drain will give you an indication of its capacity. Alternatively, you can set up interval shooting with the flash turned on and manual focusing selected. The number of photos captured before the battery depletes will provide an estimate of the battery's capacity.

Use a multimeter to check the voltage and load

Using a multimeter to check the voltage, current and resistance of your camera battery is a great way to test its performance. This method is especially useful for testing batteries for portable electronics, which use direct current (DC).

Parts of a Multimeter

Multimeters have three parts: a display, a selection knob, and two probes. The display is usually a multidigit, 7-segment LCD display, though some laboratory instruments have LED displays. The selection knob allows you to set the multimeter to read different properties, such as voltage, current, or resistance. The two probes are plugged into two of the ports on the front of the unit. The black probe is always connected to the common socket (COM) and is conventionally black. The red probe is plugged into the socket marked V (usually also marked with the Greek letter "omega" Ω and possibly a diode symbol).

How to Measure Voltage

To measure the voltage of your camera battery, first plug the black ground probe lead into the COM socket on the meter. Then, plug the red positive probe lead into the socket marked V. If your meter has a manual range selection dial, turn this to select AC or DC volts and pick a range to give the required accuracy. Touch the black probe to the first point of the circuitry/wiring, then power up the equipment and touch the red probe to the second point of the test. Ensure you don't bridge the gap between the point being tested and adjacent wiring, terminals or tracks on a PCB. Take the reading on the LCD display.

How to Measure Current

Turn off the power in the circuit being measured. Connect the probe leads by plugging the black ground probe lead into the COM socket and the red positive probe lead into the mA socket or the high current socket. A multimeter must be inserted in series in a circuit in order to measure current. Turn the dial on the meter to the highest current range (or the 10A range if the probe is in the 10A socket). If the meter is autoranging, set it to the "A" or mA setting. If the range is too high, you can switch to a lower range to get a more accurate reading.

How to Measure Resistance

If you are testing a component, first turn off the power and disconnect one end of the component. Connect the probes by plugging the black probe into the COM socket and the red probe into the socket marked for ohms. Turn the dial to the lowest Ohm or Ω range, then place a probe tip at each end of the component being measured. If the display indicates "1", this means that the resistance is greater than can be displayed on the range setting, so you must turn the dial to the next highest range. Repeat this until a value is displayed on the LCD.

Check the blue indicator stripe on certain Canon batteries

Some Canon DSLR battery covers have a small rectangular hole punched into them, which is designed to show a blue indicator stripe on certain batteries. This feature allows you to determine at a glance whether your batteries are fully charged or not. When you remove a charged battery from the charger, you can attach the cover so that the blue stripe is visible through the hole. Conversely, when you take a discharged battery out of your camera, you can place the cover so that the blue stripe is not showing. This way, you can easily identify which batteries are ready for use and which ones need to be recharged.

The blue indicator stripe is a simple yet effective way to keep track of your Canon battery's charge status. It eliminates the need to rely on battery charger indicator lights or camera battery info screens. By providing a visual cue, it offers a quick and convenient method to manage your camera's power. This feature is especially useful for photographers who frequently work in the field or need to carry multiple batteries for extended shoots.

It is important to note that not all Canon batteries and battery covers have this blue indicator stripe feature. It appears to be available on certain DSLR models, while other Canon cameras, such as the PowerShot, may have different methods for indicating battery life. The PowerShot, for example, uses an LCD monitor to display battery status, with low battery alerts indicated by blinking red lights.

Additionally, when it comes to recharging your Canon camera batteries, it is recommended to use genuine Canon accessories for optimal performance and safety. The time required for recharging can vary depending on factors such as ambient temperature and the battery's initial charge level. In some cases, low temperatures can significantly increase the recharging time, taking up to 4 hours to complete.

By utilising the blue indicator stripe on Canon DSLR battery covers, photographers can efficiently manage their camera's power and ensure they always have a fully charged battery ready for those crucial moments.

Use a small incandescent lamp as a load

When testing the battery life of a camera, you can use a small incandescent lamp as a load. This method involves building an adjustable electronic load, which is a useful piece of test equipment for electronics projects.

Firstly, you will need to gather the necessary materials. For this method, you will require a small incandescent lamp, such as those found in car brake lights. These lamps are typically rated at 12V and 20W to 50W, and can be easily sourced from automotive parts stores. Additionally, you will need a power MOSFET, a microcontroller, a potentiometer, and a few other electronic components.

Once you have gathered the required materials, you can assemble the circuit. The incandescent lamp will be placed in series with the MOSFET, and a variable duty cycle PWM signal will be applied to the gate of the MOSFET. This allows you to control the average current flowing through the lamp, effectively creating an adjustable load. To ensure the stability of the circuit, it is crucial to include an LC low-pass filter by adding a series inductor and capacitor.

The microcontroller will be responsible for generating the PWM signal, which will be proportional to the voltage read from the potentiometer. This allows for precise control over the current flowing through the lamp. Additionally, a pushbutton can be included to quickly disconnect the load in case of an overload condition.

When using this setup, it is important to consider the power rating of the incandescent lamp and the voltage applied to it. The maximum current that can be drawn is determined by the lamp's power rating, and it changes non-linearly with voltage. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the voltage and current to ensure the lamp does not exceed its specifications.

By following these steps and considerations, you can effectively use a small incandescent lamp as a load to test the battery life of your camera. This method provides a visual indication of the current flowing through the circuit, making it a satisfying and advantageous testing approach.

Check the 'Battery info' screen in the camera's menu

Checking your camera's battery info screen in the camera's menu is a straightforward way to test its battery life. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Turn on Your Camera

Start by powering on your camera. Depending on the camera model, you may see a battery icon appear on the LCD monitor or screen. If you don't see the icon immediately, don't worry, as some cameras require additional steps to display it.

Step 2: Display the Battery Icon

If the battery icon doesn't appear initially, you may need to press a specific button or a combination of buttons to bring it up. On some Canon cameras, such as the PowerShot models, pressing the button or the button assigned to the menu a few times will display the battery icon. On Panasonic LX cameras, simply turning on the camera and waiting a few seconds should be enough to see the battery icon.

Step 3: Interpret the Battery Info Screen

Once you have the battery info screen visible, you can interpret the information it provides. The screen typically displays the current battery level as an icon with bars or a percentage. Some cameras may also show additional information, such as the number of times the shutter has been released with the current battery charge. Pay attention to the indicators and status of the remaining battery charge. For example, a blinking red icon or a "Change the battery" message usually indicates that the battery is nearly depleted and needs to be charged.

Step 4: Take Action Based on the Information

After checking the battery info screen, you can make informed decisions about your camera's battery life. If the battery is sufficiently charged, you can continue using your camera. However, if the battery is low, you should recharge it as soon as possible to avoid unexpected power loss during your photography sessions.

Camera Model Variations

It's important to note that the specific steps to access the Battery Info screen and the information displayed may vary depending on your camera model. For instance, the "Battery info" screen first appeared on one of the professional EOS models in 2007 and has since been included in higher-end models and others across the EOS range. Similarly, the position and shape of operation buttons, screens displayed, and setting items can differ between camera models. Always refer to your camera's user manual or seek model-specific instructions for the most accurate information.

Frequently asked questions