Caring for Your Batteries
The batteries you purchase for your digital camera reflect a financial investment. Maybe even more important to a photographer, they must be operating properly or a photo shoot will come to a standstill.
For maximum battery performance, follow these pointers:
Keep batteries clean. A clean battery will make a better connection with the camera. Experienced photographers will rub the ends of each AA battery, for example, on a clean dry cloth before putting the batteries in the camera.
Use a cotton swab and alcohol to get rid of dirt.
Do not leave a battery in a charger for more than twenty-four hours. This will shorten the life of the battery.
New batteries need to be broken in. Fully charge then discharge them several times so that they attain their maximum capacity.
Use the battery on a regular basis. Usually, a battery needs to be used once in two to three weeks.
When your batteries wear out, don't dump them; instead, recycle them to help protect Mother Earth. Frequently they can be returned to the store where you purchased them. Many stores gather old batteries together and then recycle them.
You may have heard it said that batteries will keep their charge longer if you store them in the freezer, especially if you're planning on storing them for a long time period. The current thought on this subject seems to argue the point. Battery retailers do not recommend storing batteries in the freezer for two reasons:
Freezing can cause liquid electrolyte to freeze and stress, or perhaps rupture, the seals.
Most batteries are designed to work between -40° and 100° Fahrenheit, so a freezer will have no impact on the battery's life span.
Extremely high temperatures can have a negative effect on battery life, so you'll want to avoid storing batteries in direct sunlight, but there is no need to put them in the deep freeze. Simply store your batteries in a cool, dry place, and be sure to recharge them fully before using them.
To keep your camera going, you're going to need to keep your supply of batteries well stocked. You may find it easier to track down the batteries you need for your digicam by jumping on the Internet. Here are a few popular sites that offer batteries for sale online:
Quest
Battery City
Warehouse Battery Outlet
