Battery life with Flucard & wifi

Mark K5 · 03-29-2014, 01:55 PM

I was wondering how users with K3's and the Flucard are finding battery life. My Flucard is on order and I'm curious how fast the wifi drains the battery. Will the grip and second battery be next?

Adam · 03-29-2014, 04:24 PM

The flucard draws at most about .5A as per the specs, which means its endurance is several hours even in the worst case scenario (the battery is 1.86Ah). After using it for about an hour, my battery meter was still at full, so I don't think it's a big power hog, as the power used by the wifi is probably offset by the fact that the camera's LCD doesn't need to be on in live view.

Giklab · 03-29-2014, 04:39 PM

It's possible that the wifi has a stand-by mode, when the antenna is off but both devices still report as being connected.

RonHendriks1966 · 03-29-2014, 04:48 PM

Well I think when in Liveview with a SDM lens and flucard you will drain the battery pretty quick. So have a spare!

K-3-lover · 03-29-2014, 05:58 PM

Originally posted by Adam

The flucard draws at most about .5A as per the specs, which means its endurance is several hours even in the worst case scenario (the battery is 1.86Ah). After using it for about an hour, my battery meter was still at full, so I don't think it's a big power hog, as the power used by the wifi is probably offset by the fact that the camera's LCD doesn't need to be on in live view.

Looking at the spec sheet of Flucard, it consumes 1.7W max. The capacity of K3 battery is 14Wh. If you ignore the camera power consumption, it runs 8 hours. You should have actual result by some experiment.

derekkite · 03-30-2014, 07:39 AM

In my experience using it for varying lengths of time it is not noticeable. Similar to a live view session. It uses battery but won't drain it quickly. I did a half to 3/4 hour session yesterday with a bunch of other shots, flash, autofocus, and the battery this morning still shows full charge.

I'd get a second battery out of general principles; you will run into times when a shot presents itself and your battery is dead.

**MetteHHH** · 04-01-2014, 03:08 AM

Wow! This is great news for the use I am planning (tethered wild life shooting). I imagined the battery would drain a lot faster. Can't wait to get one!

(Incidentally, I am beginning to wonder if I earned myself a spot on Adams ignore list somehow: I asked this same question in two different threads he was active on and got no reply. Hmm. I haven't been annoying on purpose, for sure)

derekkite · 04-01-2014, 05:44 AM

Originally posted by MetteHHH

Wow! This is great news for the use I am planning (tethered wild life shooting). I imagined the battery would drain a lot faster. Can't wait to get one!

(Incidentally, I am beginning to wonder if I earned myself a spot on Adams ignore list somehow: I asked this same question in two different threads he was active on and got no reply. Hmm. I haven't been annoying on purpose, for sure)

The only problem with shooting wildlife is the slow pace of shooting. It exposes then gets a thumbnail before you can take the next shot.

**MetteHHH** · 04-02-2014, 12:10 AM

Right, that is a bit of a problem. Could still work for more "predictable" compositions, like pollinators with a macro lens... I wish we had hummingbirds in my part of the world.

03-29-2014, 01:55 PM	#1
Mark K5 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Albums Posts: 59	Battery life with Flucard & wifi I was wondering how users with K3's and the Flucard are finding battery life. My Flucard is on order and I'm curious how fast the wifi drains the battery. Will the grip and second battery be next?

03-29-2014, 04:24 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	The flucard draws at most about .5A as per the specs, which means its endurance is several hours even in the worst case scenario (the battery is 1.86Ah). After using it for about an hour, my battery meter was still at full, so I don't think it's a big power hog, as the power used by the wifi is probably offset by the fact that the camera's LCD doesn't need to be on in live view. 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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03-29-2014, 04:39 PM	#3
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	It's possible that the wifi has a stand-by mode, when the antenna is off but both devices still report as being connected.

03-29-2014, 04:48 PM	#4
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Well I think when in Liveview with a SDM lens and flucard you will drain the battery pretty quick. So have a spare!

03-29-2014, 05:58 PM	#5
K-3-lover Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 47	Originally posted by Adam The flucard draws at most about .5A as per the specs, which means its endurance is several hours even in the worst case scenario (the battery is 1.86Ah). After using it for about an hour, my battery meter was still at full, so I don't think it's a big power hog, as the power used by the wifi is probably offset by the fact that the camera's LCD doesn't need to be on in live view. Looking at the spec sheet of Flucard, it consumes 1.7W max. The capacity of K3 battery is 14Wh. If you ignore the camera power consumption, it runs 8 hours. You should have actual result by some experiment.

03-30-2014, 07:39 AM	#6
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	In my experience using it for varying lengths of time it is not noticeable. Similar to a live view session. It uses battery but won't drain it quickly. I did a half to 3/4 hour session yesterday with a bunch of other shots, flash, autofocus, and the battery this morning still shows full charge. I'd get a second battery out of general principles; you will run into times when a shot presents itself and your battery is dead.

04-01-2014, 03:08 AM	#7
MetteHHH Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,817	Wow! This is great news for the use I am planning (tethered wild life shooting). I imagined the battery would drain a lot faster. Can't wait to get one! (Incidentally, I am beginning to wonder if I earned myself a spot on Adams ignore list somehow: I asked this same question in two different threads he was active on and got no reply. Hmm. I haven't been annoying on purpose, for sure)

04-01-2014, 05:44 AM	#8
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	Originally posted by MetteHHH Wow! This is great news for the use I am planning (tethered wild life shooting). I imagined the battery would drain a lot faster. Can't wait to get one! (Incidentally, I am beginning to wonder if I earned myself a spot on Adams ignore list somehow: I asked this same question in two different threads he was active on and got no reply. Hmm. I haven't been annoying on purpose, for sure) The only problem with shooting wildlife is the slow pace of shooting. It exposes then gets a thumbnail before you can take the next shot.

04-02-2014, 12:10 AM	#9
MetteHHH Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,817	Right, that is a bit of a problem. Could still work for more "predictable" compositions, like pollinators with a macro lens... I wish we had hummingbirds in my part of the world.