Camera Batteries (Nikon): Is it ok to charge camera batteries even though they might not be depleted? I remember a camcorder I bought thirty years ago, the salesman said "Make sure the...

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Is it ok to charge camera batteries even though they might not be depleted? I remember a camcorder I bought thirty years ago, the salesman said "Make sure the battery is depleted before you charge or it will never hold a full charge"

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

The newer Lithium-Ion batteries love to be charged, unlike the older rechargeable batteries.
--Bob

Ched49 wrote:

Is it ok to charge camera batteries even though they might not be depleted? I remember a camcorder I bought thirty years ago, the salesman said "Make sure the battery is depleted before you charge or it will never hold a full charge"

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

rmalarz wrote:

The newer Lithium-Ion batteries love to be charged, unlike the older rechargeable batteries.
--Bob

Exactly...Charge away, I do!

Video Vinny Loc: Pahrump

Ched49 wrote:

Is it ok to charge camera batteries even though they might not be depleted? I remember a camcorder I bought thirty years ago, the salesman said "Make sure the battery is depleted before you charge or it will never hold a full charge"

They called it 'memory'. Technology has corrected the problem. I charge before every shoot. But being an old timer, I run down the battery every so often, about every dozen charges .... just in case. V

Bill_de Loc: US

Like me, today's batteries don't have much of a memory. For batteries it's a good thing.

--

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Yep, that is old news based on NiCad batteries. The newer Li-ion and NiMH cells don't exhibit "memory", but it's a bad idea to completely discharge a Li-ion battery as it can damage the battery (many Li-ion batteries have a built-in over discharge circuit to present this).

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Thanks everybody for your comments.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Ched49 wrote:

Is it ok to charge camera batteries even though they might not be depleted? I remember a camcorder I bought thirty years ago, the salesman said "Make sure the battery is depleted before you charge or it will never hold a full charge"

Yep! Modern times - modern batteries.

cthahn

That was using a different type of battery.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Ched49 wrote:

Is it ok to charge camera batteries even though they might not be depleted? I remember a camcorder I bought thirty years ago, the salesman said "Make sure the battery is depleted before you charge or it will never hold a full charge"

Yes do it all the time with Li Batteries

RichieC Loc: Adirondacks

Keep 'em topped off according to what I have read. Nikon batteries are more $$$, but last longer per charge and last longer life time- in fact you can check the life time of it:,

Go into menus, check battery info. Age of battery is displayed should be at 0. other ong fo in there.. Apparently they have a typical life of several years and can go bad on the shelf. Though Mine is still growing very strong after 5... Never had an issue with a dead battery, in fact never felt the need to buy a back-up for my D800e. But i habitually turn off the camera after every shot- don't even think about it, my finger does it on its own! LOL.
Only time i have had to recharge is doing a shoot of many items in studio and camera being used tethered to a computer and on constantly.

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries
https://blog.nikonians.org/digitaldarrell/2011/12/dd-nikon-d7000-battery-tips.html

Note if you have a completely dead Nikon battery, ( Nikon D90 at work someone borrowed and left on) and put it in charger and charger light does not come on as it should- that to me would indicate a permanently dead battery as no charge is being accepted... once i left the battery in the charger and walked away, only to notice after a very long while, the light had come on, and it was charging and that battery is still being used today... FYI

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

Ched49 wrote:

Is it ok to charge camera batteries even though they might not be depleted? I remember a camcorder I bought thirty years ago, the salesman said "Make sure the battery is depleted before you charge or it will never hold a full charge"

I agree with all of the above posts. Memory is not the issue. However, lithium batteries have a flat discharge curve and give no warning near the end of discharge. They can stop at unpredictable times unless you keep a sharp eye on the battery meter. Usually I am concentrating on taking the picture. It is always a good idea to carry a spare battery and change it at a convenient time rather than miss a shot. Frequent charging of partially discharged cells will not harm them.

Grace98 Loc: Waterlooville, Hampshire - United Kingdom

Hi Ched...lithium batteries can be charged at any stage. The ones where you have to first deplete as they suffered from "memory loss" were the NiCd batteries mainly. Still in use today but not that much...not very environmentally friendly as contain cadnum...at least that was what I was told. Actually it is better to charge batteries after every use. If you have to wait until they are depleted, it will lessen the life of the battery. Grace

Ched49 wrote:

Is it ok to charge camera batteries even though they might not be depleted? I remember a camcorder I bought thirty years ago, the salesman said "Make sure the battery is depleted before you charge or it will never hold a full charge"

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Ched49 wrote:

..... bought thirty years ago,.......

That says it all.

BTW, a wife I had thirty years ago was always overcharging 'til I cut up her cards.

Leitz Loc: Solms

Ched49 wrote:

Is it ok to charge camera batteries even though they might not be depleted? I remember a camcorder I bought thirty years ago, the salesman said "Make sure the battery is depleted before you charge or it will never hold a full charge"

The proper care of batteries is well explained in the user's manual.