I am confused about the battery level indicators

**jpzk** · 06-29-2014, 06:31 PM

This is a weird and totally absurd question coming from someone (me) having been using the K5 for years !

Today, for my very first time, the battery level indicator was showing low then got "in the red" zone ... battery almost depleted, which is fine since I have been shooting quite a lot lately without recharging the camera battery AND the battery in the grip.

Anyway, this is what I found when going into the menu ... "battery" ... etc:

1. Camera set: "Auto Select" where priority is given to the battery with the most remaining power. (default setting)
2. battery level indicator for the camera shows almost depleted (normal -- it has not been recharged for a while)
3. battery level indicator for the grip shows a small battery icon with a slash across it ???

So, is this normal behavior and why is this small "slashed" battery icon appearing in the menu ?

Thanks for any explanation for that.

JP

Adam · 06-29-2014, 06:40 PM

It's quite easy to insert the grip battery backwards on accident. Is that what happened? Make sure the power contacts are facing the right direction.

**jpzk** · 06-29-2014, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by Adam

It's quite easy to insert the grip battery backwards on accident. Is that what happened? Make sure the power contacts are facing the right direction.

I am sure that the battery in the battery grip is always inserted the proper way ... pretty hard to miss the markings inside the grip part where it shows the position for the battery.

As a note:
I have placed the batteries in the battery chargers (one for the camera -- one for the grip) and the one for the battery grip is already charged only after a few minutes, which means that there was still plenty of power for that battery.
The camera battery is still charging though, as one would expect.
Both batteries are Pentax OEM types.

manacho2005 · 06-29-2014, 08:05 PM

Pentax or aftermarket grip?

**jpzk** · 06-29-2014, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by manacho2005

Pentax or aftermarket grip?

Pentax "everything" !

JP

manacho2005 · 06-29-2014, 08:10 PM

I only ask, because my Meike grip on my K5 does some weird stuff, especially when it gets hot outside.
Since you're using Pentax, check to see if the pins between the body and grip are all standing tall. I had a Pentax grip for my K10D and had to drop some alcohol in the pins and work them in and out to clear some gunk out (had same issue you're having).

siamthai · 06-29-2014, 09:30 PM

You write that the one for the battery grip was fully charged after a few minutes, I'm not sure that it means that it was fully charged. It could mean that the battery has gone bad and can't be charged any more. Have you tried all batteries directly in the camera to see if they are ok?

If the batteries after all are ok then buy six AA batteries and see how the camera behaves if you use those in the battery grip instead.

Last edited by siamthai; 06-29-2014 at 09:46 PM.

**jpzk** · 07-08-2014, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by manacho2005

I only ask, because my Meike grip on my K5 does some weird stuff, especially when it gets hot outside.
Since you're using Pentax, check to see if the pins between the body and grip are all standing tall. I had a Pentax grip for my K10D and had to drop some alcohol in the pins and work them in and out to clear some gunk out (had same issue you're having).

Yes I checked that right away when I noticed the weird behavior ... if that is one.
All contacts and pins in good order.

Originally posted by siamthai

You write that the one for the battery grip was fully charged after a few minutes, I'm not sure that it means that it was fully charged. It could mean that the battery has gone bad and can't be charged any more. Have you tried all batteries directly in the camera to see if they are ok?

If the batteries after all are ok then buy six AA batteries and see how the camera behaves if you use those in the battery grip instead.

Well, the way I see it is that the battery in the grip had not been used one bit, in spite of the camera set for "auto select".
Now, why would it show full if it had been unable to charge ??
I will take the grip off, use the 2 batteries in succession and see what happens.
I have never tried the grip with AA batteries but willing to test it ... why ?

wildman · 07-22-2014, 05:01 PM

Originally posted by jpzk

one for the battery grip is already charged only after a few minutes,

The camera is only measuring voltage (potential) not capacity (amperage).
A battery could deliver the correct voltage but not have the capacity to do any work - it happens all the time with car batteries.

06-29-2014, 06:31 PM	#1
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	I am confused about the battery level indicators This is a weird and totally absurd question coming from someone (me) having been using the K5 for years ! Today, for my very first time, the battery level indicator was showing low then got "in the red" zone ... battery almost depleted, which is fine since I have been shooting quite a lot lately without recharging the camera battery AND the battery in the grip. Anyway, this is what I found when going into the menu ... "battery" ... etc: 1. Camera set: "Auto Select" where priority is given to the battery with the most remaining power. (default setting) 2. battery level indicator for the camera shows almost depleted (normal -- it has not been recharged for a while) 3. battery level indicator for the grip shows a small battery icon with a slash across it ??? So, is this normal behavior and why is this small "slashed" battery icon appearing in the menu ? Thanks for any explanation for that. JP

06-29-2014, 06:40 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	It's quite easy to insert the grip battery backwards on accident. Is that what happened? Make sure the power contacts are facing the right direction. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
I'm confused about resolution	oldsalt19	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	4	05-19-2013 01:12 PM
Am I confused or did I just about steal this A 35mm F2?	PPPPPP42	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	25	04-02-2012 07:26 AM
Yet another question about the AF indicators	BradH	Pentax DSLR Discussion	16	12-02-2010 04:26 PM
I am confused about the focus indicator	Igilligan	Pentax DSLR Discussion	7	09-20-2009 01:03 AM
Am I confused about DOF and full frame lenses?	bc_the_path	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	22	12-13-2008 03:06 PM

06-29-2014, 07:03 PM	#3
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam It's quite easy to insert the grip battery backwards on accident. Is that what happened? Make sure the power contacts are facing the right direction. I am sure that the battery in the battery grip is always inserted the proper way ... pretty hard to miss the markings inside the grip part where it shows the position for the battery. As a note: I have placed the batteries in the battery chargers (one for the camera -- one for the grip) and the one for the battery grip is already charged only after a few minutes, which means that there was still plenty of power for that battery. The camera battery is still charging though, as one would expect. Both batteries are Pentax OEM types.

06-29-2014, 08:05 PM	#4
manacho2005 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Red Oak, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 462	Pentax or aftermarket grip?

06-29-2014, 08:06 PM	#5
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by manacho2005 Pentax or aftermarket grip? Pentax "everything" ! JP

06-29-2014, 08:10 PM	#6
manacho2005 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Red Oak, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 462	I only ask, because my Meike grip on my K5 does some weird stuff, especially when it gets hot outside. Since you're using Pentax, check to see if the pins between the body and grip are all standing tall. I had a Pentax grip for my K10D and had to drop some alcohol in the pins and work them in and out to clear some gunk out (had same issue you're having).

06-29-2014, 09:30 PM	#7
siamthai Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Svealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 172	You write that the one for the battery grip was fully charged after a few minutes, I'm not sure that it means that it was fully charged. It could mean that the battery has gone bad and can't be charged any more. Have you tried all batteries directly in the camera to see if they are ok? If the batteries after all are ok then buy six AA batteries and see how the camera behaves if you use those in the battery grip instead. Last edited by siamthai; 06-29-2014 at 09:46 PM.

07-08-2014, 06:20 PM	#8
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by manacho2005 I only ask, because my Meike grip on my K5 does some weird stuff, especially when it gets hot outside. Since you're using Pentax, check to see if the pins between the body and grip are all standing tall. I had a Pentax grip for my K10D and had to drop some alcohol in the pins and work them in and out to clear some gunk out (had same issue you're having). Yes I checked that right away when I noticed the weird behavior ... if that is one. All contacts and pins in good order. Originally posted by siamthai You write that the one for the battery grip was fully charged after a few minutes, I'm not sure that it means that it was fully charged. It could mean that the battery has gone bad and can't be charged any more. Have you tried all batteries directly in the camera to see if they are ok? If the batteries after all are ok then buy six AA batteries and see how the camera behaves if you use those in the battery grip instead. Well, the way I see it is that the battery in the grip had not been used one bit, in spite of the camera set for "auto select". Now, why would it show full if it had been unable to charge ?? I will take the grip off, use the 2 batteries in succession and see what happens. I have never tried the grip with AA batteries but willing to test it ... why ?

07-22-2014, 05:01 PM	#9
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Originally posted by jpzk one for the battery grip is already charged only after a few minutes, The camera is only measuring voltage (potential) not capacity (amperage). A battery could deliver the correct voltage but not have the capacity to do any work - it happens all the time with car batteries.