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Rayn · 12-20-2015, 04:29 PM

The battery grip buttons work fine, but shows no battery in the K-3 II's battery menu (the battery is crossed out). The batteries are charged and working. This started happening today after I accidentally took out the battery while the K-3 II was on... but I'm sure the camera has a failsafe for this. It shouldn't cause it to malfunction like this, should it?
I tired removing the batteries, but other than that I'm at a loss... The camera works fine with the internal battery, but not the grip anymore.
Any idea what could be the problem?

Adam · 12-20-2015, 04:33 PM

Perhaps you put in the battery backwards? The grip tray does physically allow for this, and it's gotten me a few times.

Rayn · 12-20-2015, 04:38 PM

Originally posted by Adam

Perhaps you put in the battery backwards? The grip tray does physically allow for this, and it's gotten me a few times.

Nope. Checked.

honey bo bo · 12-20-2015, 05:16 PM

It happened to me last spring when I charged batteries and put them in while the camera was turned on it would show in the menu that they were dead. I would turn the camera off & on they would show on after a short wait. These batteries were`` ACME Dynamite and Battery Co China Ltd ``( Wiley Coyote`s Supplier).
After 4 or 5 times doing this it just started to work over time I didnt do anything special and to this day they are working fine. I just wonder because they were Brand X that the camera had trouble recognizing them at first and then finally gave them a pass.

condor27596 · 12-20-2015, 05:59 PM

My k5 does this too. Recognizes Pentax battery not aftermarket. On the add on grip.

Rayn · 12-20-2015, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by honey bo bo

It happened to me last spring when I charged batteries and put them in while the camera was turned on it would show in the menu that they were dead. I would turn the camera off & on they would show on after a short wait. These batteries were`` ACME Dynamite and Battery Co China Ltd ``( Wiley Coyote`s Supplier).
After 4 or 5 times doing this it just started to work over time I didnt do anything special and to this day they are working fine. I just wonder because they were Brand X that the camera had trouble recognizing them at first and then finally gave them a pass.

Unfortunately, I have 3 original K-3 batteries and they worked fine, in both the grip and camera for months. It was only after today's little incident (not even sure that was the reason, but probably) that the K-3 II battery grip shows as no battery. I it's been on for hours now, but still not working. I'm affraid this is probably a different issue.

Originally posted by condor27596

My k5 does this too. Recognizes Pentax battery not aftermarket. On the add on grip.

The batteries are all original Pentax, only the grip is 3rd party, but it was working fine for months.
I'm just hoping this is indeed a problem with the grip, and not the K-3 II, because other than the K-3 II not seeing the battery, the grip works fine. So the connection is working.
But seriously, if removing the battery can cause damage to the camera, that's a serious design flaw.

bigdavephoto · 12-20-2015, 06:55 PM

I don't have a K3 or a grip but just for the fun of it, try removing the grip, turn the camera on like you are going to use it, turn it off and replace the grip with the battery in the grip. The camera might start seeing it again.

honey bo bo · 12-20-2015, 07:42 PM

Originally posted by Rayn

The batteries are all original Pentax, only the grip is 3rd party, but it was working fine for months

I've got the reverse. My grip is Pentax and the batteries are 3rd party. Something I forgot to mention earlier is clean the battery contacts there may be a film on them. I use an Ink pen eraser because they have a minute bit of grit on them.

**seventhdr** · 12-21-2015, 03:34 AM

Have you tried removing the battery from the camera and just having a battery in the grip? What happens then?

Have you gone into the menu and set battery priority?

Take the grip off. Operate the camera on internal battery and then reattach the grip and see what happens.

Regards

Chris

Rayn · 12-21-2015, 05:03 AM

Originally posted by seventhdr

Have you tried removing the battery from the camera and just having a battery in the grip? What happens then?

The K-3 II won't turn on.

Quote:

Have you gone into the menu and set battery priority?

Yes. That's where I noticed something's wrong, as the grip battery was crossed out.

zvon · 12-21-2015, 09:22 AM

Maybe the pins in the grip are bent. I do this sort of stuff often (removing the battery while camera is on) and nothing ever happened. Try using 6 AA batteries. They use different connector pins.

Rayn · 12-21-2015, 01:31 PM

Originally posted by zvon

Maybe the pins in the grip are bent. I do this sort of stuff often (removing the battery while camera is on) and nothing ever happened.

No bent pins. But I'm glad to hear that removing the battery usually isn't an issue.

Quote:

Try using 6 AA batteries. They use different connector pins.

Same. K-3 Won't turn on.
So either the grip battery connection died for no apparent reason, or (and this seems more likely) the camera connectors are fried.
I tried disassembling the grip to check the connections, and managed to remove all but a single damn screw, which simply would not loosen. So that's not happening...

rawr · 12-21-2015, 03:06 PM

Although I have done this often without incident, the K-3 manual does warn:
- Do not open the battery cover or remove the battery while the power is on.

Originally posted by Rayn

That's where I noticed something's wrong, as the grip battery was crossed out.

Which suggests that the camera can't talk to the grip. There is circuitry in the grip, and with cheap third party grips you never know the quality of the electrical components, the soldering, the oxidation or corrosion of parts inside etc.

If you can, try a another grip (3rd party or Pentax). That should help you isolate the problem to either grip or body.

Marc 007 · 07-19-2019, 03:44 AM

Originally posted by Rayn

Unfortunately, I have 3 original K-3 batteries and they worked fine, in both the grip and camera for months. It was only after today's little incident (not even sure that was the reason, but probably) that the K-3 II battery grip shows as no battery. I it's been on for hours now, but still not working. I'm affraid this is probably a different issue.

The batteries are all original Pentax, only the grip is 3rd party, but it was working fine for months.
I'm just hoping this is indeed a problem with the grip, and not the K-3 II, because other than the K-3 II not seeing the battery, the grip works fine. So the connection is working.
But seriously, if removing the battery can cause damage to the camera, that's a serious design flaw.

I have the same problem on both the K5 BG4 and the K3ii BG5 grips show no battery charged or not. Please help.

12-20-2015, 04:29 PM	#1
Rayn Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Zagreb Posts: 73	K-3 II Battery grip showing no battery? The battery grip buttons work fine, but shows no battery in the K-3 II's battery menu (the battery is crossed out). The batteries are charged and working. This started happening today after I accidentally took out the battery while the K-3 II was on... but I'm sure the camera has a failsafe for this. It shouldn't cause it to malfunction like this, should it? I tired removing the batteries, but other than that I'm at a loss... The camera works fine with the internal battery, but not the grip anymore. Any idea what could be the problem?

12-20-2015, 04:33 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Perhaps you put in the battery backwards? The grip tray does physically allow for this, and it's gotten me a few times. 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:

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12-20-2015, 04:38 PM	#3
Rayn Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Zagreb Posts: 73 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam Perhaps you put in the battery backwards? The grip tray does physically allow for this, and it's gotten me a few times. Nope. Checked.

12-20-2015, 05:16 PM	#4
honey bo bo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 768	It happened to me last spring when I charged batteries and put them in while the camera was turned on it would show in the menu that they were dead. I would turn the camera off & on they would show on after a short wait. These batteries were`` ACME Dynamite and Battery Co China Ltd ``( Wiley Coyote`s Supplier). After 4 or 5 times doing this it just started to work over time I didnt do anything special and to this day they are working fine. I just wonder because they were Brand X that the camera had trouble recognizing them at first and then finally gave them a pass.

12-20-2015, 05:59 PM	#5
condor27596 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 870	My k5 does this too. Recognizes Pentax battery not aftermarket. On the add on grip.

12-20-2015, 06:34 PM	#6
Rayn Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Zagreb Posts: 73 Original Poster	Originally posted by honey bo bo It happened to me last spring when I charged batteries and put them in while the camera was turned on it would show in the menu that they were dead. I would turn the camera off & on they would show on after a short wait. These batteries were`` ACME Dynamite and Battery Co China Ltd ``( Wiley Coyote`s Supplier). After 4 or 5 times doing this it just started to work over time I didnt do anything special and to this day they are working fine. I just wonder because they were Brand X that the camera had trouble recognizing them at first and then finally gave them a pass. Unfortunately, I have 3 original K-3 batteries and they worked fine, in both the grip and camera for months. It was only after today's little incident (not even sure that was the reason, but probably) that the K-3 II battery grip shows as no battery. I it's been on for hours now, but still not working. I'm affraid this is probably a different issue. Originally posted by condor27596 My k5 does this too. Recognizes Pentax battery not aftermarket. On the add on grip. The batteries are all original Pentax, only the grip is 3rd party, but it was working fine for months. I'm just hoping this is indeed a problem with the grip, and not the K-3 II, because other than the K-3 II not seeing the battery, the grip works fine. So the connection is working. But seriously, if removing the battery can cause damage to the camera, that's a serious design flaw.

12-20-2015, 06:55 PM	#7
bigdavephoto Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: East central Indiana Photos: Gallery Posts: 893	I don't have a K3 or a grip but just for the fun of it, try removing the grip, turn the camera on like you are going to use it, turn it off and replace the grip with the battery in the grip. The camera might start seeing it again.

12-20-2015, 07:42 PM	#8
honey bo bo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 768	Originally posted by Rayn The batteries are all original Pentax, only the grip is 3rd party, but it was working fine for months I've got the reverse. My grip is Pentax and the batteries are 3rd party. Something I forgot to mention earlier is clean the battery contacts there may be a film on them. I use an Ink pen eraser because they have a minute bit of grit on them.

12-21-2015, 03:34 AM	#9
seventhdr Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,453	Have you tried removing the battery from the camera and just having a battery in the grip? What happens then? Have you gone into the menu and set battery priority? Take the grip off. Operate the camera on internal battery and then reattach the grip and see what happens. Regards Chris

12-21-2015, 05:03 AM	#10
Rayn Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Zagreb Posts: 73 Original Poster	Originally posted by seventhdr Have you tried removing the battery from the camera and just having a battery in the grip? What happens then? The K-3 II won't turn on. Quote: Have you gone into the menu and set battery priority? Yes. That's where I noticed something's wrong, as the grip battery was crossed out.

12-21-2015, 09:22 AM	#11
zvon Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 143	Maybe the pins in the grip are bent. I do this sort of stuff often (removing the battery while camera is on) and nothing ever happened. Try using 6 AA batteries. They use different connector pins.

12-21-2015, 01:31 PM	#12
Rayn Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Zagreb Posts: 73 Original Poster	Originally posted by zvon Maybe the pins in the grip are bent. I do this sort of stuff often (removing the battery while camera is on) and nothing ever happened. No bent pins. But I'm glad to hear that removing the battery usually isn't an issue. Quote: Try using 6 AA batteries. They use different connector pins. Same. K-3 Won't turn on. So either the grip battery connection died for no apparent reason, or (and this seems more likely) the camera connectors are fried. I tried disassembling the grip to check the connections, and managed to remove all but a single damn screw, which simply would not loosen. So that's not happening...

12-21-2015, 03:06 PM	#13
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Although I have done this often without incident, the K-3 manual does warn: - Do not open the battery cover or remove the battery while the power is on. Originally posted by Rayn That's where I noticed something's wrong, as the grip battery was crossed out. Which suggests that the camera can't talk to the grip. There is circuitry in the grip, and with cheap third party grips you never know the quality of the electrical components, the soldering, the oxidation or corrosion of parts inside etc. If you can, try a another grip (3rd party or Pentax). That should help you isolate the problem to either grip or body.

07-19-2019, 03:44 AM	#14
Marc 007 New Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 1	Originally posted by Rayn Unfortunately, I have 3 original K-3 batteries and they worked fine, in both the grip and camera for months. It was only after today's little incident (not even sure that was the reason, but probably) that the K-3 II battery grip shows as no battery. I it's been on for hours now, but still not working. I'm affraid this is probably a different issue. The batteries are all original Pentax, only the grip is 3rd party, but it was working fine for months. I'm just hoping this is indeed a problem with the grip, and not the K-3 II, because other than the K-3 II not seeing the battery, the grip works fine. So the connection is working. But seriously, if removing the battery can cause damage to the camera, that's a serious design flaw. I have the same problem on both the K5 BG4 and the K3ii BG5 grips show no battery charged or not. Please help.

K-3 II Battery grip showing no battery?

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