K3ii battery died overnight

Johnontheroad · 04-01-2016, 10:54 AM

So far, battery life has not been a problem with my K-3ii. I charge it whenever it needs it, or just when I think I should. But I usually only charge it every 4 days or so. The last full charge on my battery was two days ago. Yesterday, I used the camera, but only for a dozen or so images. I then turned it off and put it on the shelf.

This morning, tried to turn it on and got the message "DEPLETED BATTERY". Not a real problem, just switched batteries and and put the depleted one on the charger. It now indicates a full charge.

I'm wondering if there is something left on that caused the battery to drain? I've read that leaving the GPS logging function may cause the battery drain, and although I almost always use the GPS but I never use the logging function. And as stated I'm quite sure I turned the camera off the last time.

Any suggestions? If I did something I shouldn't have I would like to know....

== John

vonBaloney · 04-01-2016, 11:30 AM

Well, the batteries themselves eventually die, won't hold a charge. Or they get knocked off the charger and aren't as charged as you think. Was this a newer battery that came with the camera? See if the same thing keeps happening with that battery (as long as you don't notice any other weirdness when using it, in which case I wouldn't use that one) and if it happens with other batteries. (I suppose the charger itself going bad is also an outside possibility.)

Adam · 04-01-2016, 02:03 PM

Originally posted by Johnontheroad

So far, battery life has not been a problem with my K-3ii. I charge it whenever it needs it, or just when I think I should. But I usually only charge it every 4 days or so. The last full charge on my battery was two days ago. Yesterday, I used the camera, but only for a dozen or so images. I then turned it off and put it on the shelf.

This morning, tried to turn it on and got the message "DEPLETED BATTERY". Not a real problem, just switched batteries and and put the depleted one on the charger. It now indicates a full charge.

I'm wondering if there is something left on that caused the battery to drain? I've read that leaving the GPS logging function may cause the battery drain, and although I almost always use the GPS but I never use the logging function. And as stated I'm quite sure I turned the camera off the last time.

Any suggestions? If I did something I shouldn't have I would like to know....

== John

Is your camera affected by this?

Pentax K-3 II Service Advisory - Pentax Announcements | PentaxForums.com

Johnontheroad · 04-01-2016, 02:26 PM

The battery is the one that came with the camera, and never gave a problem before. And it died when in the camera, not the charger. I have recharged the battery and it is now in the camera, so we'll see if the issue repeats itself. Guess I'll know more tomorrow AM....

My serial number is well above the cutoff point for the service bulletin.

== John

Michi Joel · 04-01-2016, 04:29 PM

Same situation for me about 3 weeks. But battery has not die, try to charge completly and take out the battery when you don't use the camera. i suspect the camera had the culpability and discharges completly the battery

**GregK8** · 04-25-2016, 06:30 PM

I've been noticing this myself. I could leave my K-5 on the shelf for weeks and the battery never seemed to drain, while if my K-3II sits for a couple of days with the switch off the battery is completely drained. I am going to experiment a little with the settings to see if it has something to do with the GPS being on.

I had hoped my 600th post was a little more interesting, but I got tired of waiting for a decent shot

Michi Joel · 04-27-2016, 07:26 AM

I'm waiting the results of your experiment

**GregK8** · 04-28-2016, 06:30 PM

Well, I left it sit one night with the GPS off and two nights with the GPS on and the battery is at 3 bars still. When I want it to drain it is not doing it.

Here is another thought I will try. If I turn the power switch off, the battery does not drain, but maybe if I leave it on and let it go to standby, that will be when it happens.

04-01-2016, 10:54 AM	#1
Johnontheroad Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 63	K3ii battery died overnight So far, battery life has not been a problem with my K-3ii. I charge it whenever it needs it, or just when I think I should. But I usually only charge it every 4 days or so. The last full charge on my battery was two days ago. Yesterday, I used the camera, but only for a dozen or so images. I then turned it off and put it on the shelf. This morning, tried to turn it on and got the message "DEPLETED BATTERY". Not a real problem, just switched batteries and and put the depleted one on the charger. It now indicates a full charge. I'm wondering if there is something left on that caused the battery to drain? I've read that leaving the GPS logging function may cause the battery drain, and although I almost always use the GPS but I never use the logging function. And as stated I'm quite sure I turned the camera off the last time. Any suggestions? If I did something I shouldn't have I would like to know.... == John

04-01-2016, 11:30 AM	#2
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Well, the batteries themselves eventually die, won't hold a charge. Or they get knocked off the charger and aren't as charged as you think. Was this a newer battery that came with the camera? See if the same thing keeps happening with that battery (as long as you don't notice any other weirdness when using it, in which case I wouldn't use that one) and if it happens with other batteries. (I suppose the charger itself going bad is also an outside possibility.) Last edited by vonBaloney; 04-01-2016 at 01:07 PM.

04-01-2016, 02:03 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Originally posted by Johnontheroad So far, battery life has not been a problem with my K-3ii. I charge it whenever it needs it, or just when I think I should. But I usually only charge it every 4 days or so. The last full charge on my battery was two days ago. Yesterday, I used the camera, but only for a dozen or so images. I then turned it off and put it on the shelf. This morning, tried to turn it on and got the message "DEPLETED BATTERY". Not a real problem, just switched batteries and and put the depleted one on the charger. It now indicates a full charge. I'm wondering if there is something left on that caused the battery to drain? I've read that leaving the GPS logging function may cause the battery drain, and although I almost always use the GPS but I never use the logging function. And as stated I'm quite sure I turned the camera off the last time. Any suggestions? If I did something I shouldn't have I would like to know.... == John Is your camera affected by this? Pentax K-3 II Service Advisory - Pentax Announcements \| PentaxForums.com 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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04-01-2016, 02:26 PM	#4
Johnontheroad Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 63 Original Poster	The battery is the one that came with the camera, and never gave a problem before. And it died when in the camera, not the charger. I have recharged the battery and it is now in the camera, so we'll see if the issue repeats itself. Guess I'll know more tomorrow AM.... My serial number is well above the cutoff point for the service bulletin. == John

04-01-2016, 04:29 PM	#5
Michi Joel Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Catalonia Photos: Albums Posts: 441	Same situation for me about 3 weeks. But battery has not die, try to charge completly and take out the battery when you don't use the camera. i suspect the camera had the culpability and discharges completly the battery

04-25-2016, 06:30 PM	#6
GregK8 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Western New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 614	I've been noticing this myself. I could leave my K-5 on the shelf for weeks and the battery never seemed to drain, while if my K-3II sits for a couple of days with the switch off the battery is completely drained. I am going to experiment a little with the settings to see if it has something to do with the GPS being on. I had hoped my 600th post was a little more interesting, but I got tired of waiting for a decent shot

04-27-2016, 07:26 AM	#7
Michi Joel Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Catalonia Photos: Albums Posts: 441	I'm waiting the results of your experiment

04-28-2016, 06:30 PM	#8
GregK8 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Western New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 614	Well, I left it sit one night with the GPS off and two nights with the GPS on and the battery is at 3 bars still. When I want it to drain it is not doing it. Here is another thought I will try. If I turn the power switch off, the battery does not drain, but maybe if I leave it on and let it go to standby, that will be when it happens.