How to handle a Camcorder Battery Pack?

You have to take special care of your camcorder battery so that it will have a longer life span. Please remember that the battery life is much shorter in a cold environment. Therefore you should avoid, as far as possible, recording in a cold environment lest the efficiency of the battery gets decreased.

Make sure you do not leave the camcorder in a standby mode when not recording to save the battery power. A smooth transition between scenes can be made even if recording is stopped and started again. While you are positioning the subject, selecting an angle or looking at the LCD screen or through the viewfinder, the lens moves automatically and the battery is used. Please also know that the battery is drained when a tape is inserted or removed. Try to have sufficient camcorder battery pack power to do 2 to 3 times as much recording as you have planned. Your objective must be to try as much as you can to conserve the power of your battery.

You should never leave the battery pack in temperature above 140ºF (60ºC), such as inside a car parked in the sun or under direct sunlight. When you charge or record, the camcorder battery pack heats up due to energy that has been generated and a chemical change that has taken place inside. However, this is normal and there is no cause for concern. Make it a point to remove your battery pack from the unit after using it, and keep it in a less warm place. When the battery pack is installed to the camcorder, a small amount of current flows to the camcorder even if the power switch is off. This often results in the battery life getting curtailed. The camcorder battery pack is always discharging even when it is not in use and as such, you should charge it right before using the unit.

It is important to note that if the battery indicator flashes rapidly just after turning on the camcorder, then the battery pack should be replaced with a new fully charged one. You should be aware that a brand new battery pack is not charged and therefore before using it, charge it completely. If you charged the camcorder battery pack fully but did not use it for a long time, again it becomes discharged, so recharge it before use.

It is common knowledge that if the terminals are not clean, the camcorder battery charge duration will be shortened. Repeatedly installing and removing it a few times improves the contact condition. Occasionally wipe the positive and negative terminals with a soft cloth or ordinary paper. Never expose the battery pack to any mechanical shock.

Nowadays most camcorders available in the market come with rechargeable batteries that can easily be charged. Carefully read the directions for your battery charger and learn how the charger works. Plug in your camcorder battery charger in an area that is open to prevent any type of electrical problem from occurring. Attach your battery pack to the charger. Be sure it is in the proper position for charging. Typically, a red light should illuminate as soon as it begins charging. Check on your recharging batteries periodically. This will ensure that the pack is being charged properly and that your charger is working as well. Please note that as soon as the battery pack has completed charging, remove it immediately. If your battery starts its auto detection mode, then rest assured you have attached your battery properly and can continue with charging. Avoid charge your camcorder battery overnight as despite assurances from retailers, battery packs have been the cause of some fires.