Battery grip not working with AA

lotech · 04-25-2016, 07:36 AM

Hi there,

I got the original battery grip, I attach it to my K3 most of the time, I mainly use the LiON battery tray and it worked great, just now I try to use the AA tray with high-cap rechargable NiMH but it doesn't work, the camera shown empty battery on the grip. I then change to normal Alkaline but still doesn't work, visual inspection did not show any contact problem, I only see uneven level of contact pins on the grip. Once I got unresponsive shutter release on the grip, it was due to a 'sunk' and jam pin on the grip, I pull the pin to restore it, after then no problem again, it could be the same problem this time but I couldn't fix it, any clue ?

**jatrax** · 04-25-2016, 08:10 AM

Batteries in the right way?

Use a multi-tester to check voltage on the tray alone to see if it is functioning correctly.

lotech · 04-25-2016, 08:17 AM

Of course they are normal, fresh battery new tray right side up, I only suspect the pins, which pins responsible for the AA ??

**jatrax** · 04-25-2016, 08:38 AM

Originally posted by lotech

which pins responsible for the AA ??

No idea, I don't have a grip. But basic troubleshooting procedure for anything is start at the beginning and check at each place you can. So first make sure the batteries are in correctly. I know that's obvious but I have put AA's in wrong by accident and wasted time because of it.

Then look at the battery tray, there should be some type of contacts, use a mult-tester and check for voltage. With 6 AA's you should be getting somewhere between 7 and 9 volts on one set of contacts. You won't hurt anything by testing if you use a multi-tester.

Voltage on the contacts? Then the batteries are OK, in properly and the tray is working. Therefore the problem is further down the line, possibly the contacts in the grip.
No voltage on the contacts? Then one of the above is the problem, recheck everything.

lotech · 04-25-2016, 09:11 AM

Thanks, if you have the grip you will see the batteries are not arranged in a straight forward in-series way, there are 4 contacts in total, the camera is responsible for the interconnection, you can't get the voltage by simply measuring with a meter.

**jbinpg** · 04-25-2016, 12:13 PM

Probably not much help, but the battery voltages are reported in the EXIF.

**jatrax** · 04-25-2016, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by lotech

you can't get the voltage by simply measuring with a meter.

Ok, so I wasn't much help. But if you test the contacts and no voltage anywhere then doesn't that mean something is wrong? Maybe I'm wrong but I would be testing those contacts. Part of troubleshooting is just eliminating things that you are sure of.

How about if anyone is close to you with a grip and you can swap parts to see if their grip and tray works?

lotech · 04-25-2016, 01:24 PM

Originally posted by jbinpg

Probably not much help, but the battery voltages are reported in the EXIF.

That's interesting I don't know about, since the camera is not using the grip battery the record won't show it's status, and I don't see anything about battery on the file, or Pentax not using it, but one thing for sure there is a micro switch somewhere to turn off the camera while the battery tray removed. I also discovered something strange that, the camera won't turn on while the main battery removed, even with the working LiON tray, and 'battery depleted' will be displayed while inserting the tray(s) with the power switch already turned on. I also switch battery types setting but nothing changed, all batteries I use are fresh and fully charged.

Correction : the display will turn off while the tray(s) removed, but the camera still operational.

Adam · 04-25-2016, 03:21 PM

Originally posted by lotech

That's interesting I don't know about, since the camera is not using the grip battery the record won't show it's status, and I don't see anything about battery on the file, or Pentax not using it, but one thing for sure there is a micro switch somewhere to turn off the camera while the battery tray removed. I also discovered something strange that, the camera won't turn on while the main battery removed, even with the working LiON tray, and 'battery depleted' will be displayed while inserting the tray(s) with the power switch already turned on. I also switch battery types setting but nothing changed, all batteries I use are fresh and fully charged.

The camera won't work without at least a partially-charged battery in the body.

Is the grip tray recognized when you insert 6 alkaline AA's? Try that as a first troubleshooting step, and make sure the batteries are all oriented correctly. Check for signs of physical damage on the tray, too.

victormeldrew · 04-28-2016, 06:43 AM

I have the same problem, except with an aftermarket grip. I never worked it out, but with 3x Li-ion batterie I never needed it and gave up on the AA tray.
I'd be interested if you ever work out the problem.

04-25-2016, 07:36 AM	#1
lotech Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,312	Battery grip not working with AA Hi there, I got the original battery grip, I attach it to my K3 most of the time, I mainly use the LiON battery tray and it worked great, just now I try to use the AA tray with high-cap rechargable NiMH but it doesn't work, the camera shown empty battery on the grip. I then change to normal Alkaline but still doesn't work, visual inspection did not show any contact problem, I only see uneven level of contact pins on the grip. Once I got unresponsive shutter release on the grip, it was due to a 'sunk' and jam pin on the grip, I pull the pin to restore it, after then no problem again, it could be the same problem this time but I couldn't fix it, any clue ?

04-25-2016, 03:21 PM	#9
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by lotech That's interesting I don't know about, since the camera is not using the grip battery the record won't show it's status, and I don't see anything about battery on the file, or Pentax not using it, but one thing for sure there is a micro switch somewhere to turn off the camera while the battery tray removed. I also discovered something strange that, the camera won't turn on while the main battery removed, even with the working LiON tray, and 'battery depleted' will be displayed while inserting the tray(s) with the power switch already turned on. I also switch battery types setting but nothing changed, all batteries I use are fresh and fully charged. The camera won't work without at least a partially-charged battery in the body. Is the grip tray recognized when you insert 6 alkaline AA's? Try that as a first troubleshooting step, and make sure the batteries are all oriented correctly. Check for signs of physical damage on the tray, too. 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
Wanted - Acquired: AA BATTERY HOLDER FOR D-BG5 (k3) Grip	brewmaster15	Sold Items	3	12-12-2015 05:46 AM
Will the k-3 take the AA battery adapter or do I need to purchase a battery grip	Sorver	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	8	12-12-2014 01:08 AM
AA battery tray for Battery Grip BG-4	markf	Pentax DSLR Discussion	12	07-23-2013 11:40 PM
Wanted - Acquired: AA battery tray for Battery Grip BG-4	markf	Sold Items	4	07-20-2013 01:47 PM

04-25-2016, 08:10 AM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Batteries in the right way? Use a multi-tester to check voltage on the tray alone to see if it is functioning correctly.

04-25-2016, 08:17 AM	#3
lotech Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,312 Original Poster	Of course they are normal, fresh battery new tray right side up, I only suspect the pins, which pins responsible for the AA ??

04-25-2016, 08:38 AM	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by lotech which pins responsible for the AA ?? No idea, I don't have a grip. But basic troubleshooting procedure for anything is start at the beginning and check at each place you can. So first make sure the batteries are in correctly. I know that's obvious but I have put AA's in wrong by accident and wasted time because of it. Then look at the battery tray, there should be some type of contacts, use a mult-tester and check for voltage. With 6 AA's you should be getting somewhere between 7 and 9 volts on one set of contacts. You won't hurt anything by testing if you use a multi-tester. Voltage on the contacts? Then the batteries are OK, in properly and the tray is working. Therefore the problem is further down the line, possibly the contacts in the grip. No voltage on the contacts? Then one of the above is the problem, recheck everything.

04-25-2016, 09:11 AM	#5
lotech Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,312 Original Poster	Thanks, if you have the grip you will see the batteries are not arranged in a straight forward in-series way, there are 4 contacts in total, the camera is responsible for the interconnection, you can't get the voltage by simply measuring with a meter.

04-25-2016, 12:13 PM	#6
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	Probably not much help, but the battery voltages are reported in the EXIF.

04-25-2016, 12:18 PM	#7
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by lotech you can't get the voltage by simply measuring with a meter. Ok, so I wasn't much help. But if you test the contacts and no voltage anywhere then doesn't that mean something is wrong? Maybe I'm wrong but I would be testing those contacts. Part of troubleshooting is just eliminating things that you are sure of. How about if anyone is close to you with a grip and you can swap parts to see if their grip and tray works?

04-25-2016, 01:24 PM	#8
lotech Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,312 Original Poster	Originally posted by jbinpg Probably not much help, but the battery voltages are reported in the EXIF. That's interesting I don't know about, since the camera is not using the grip battery the record won't show it's status, and I don't see anything about battery on the file, or Pentax not using it, but one thing for sure there is a micro switch somewhere to turn off the camera while the battery tray removed. I also discovered something strange that, the camera won't turn on while the main battery removed, even with the working LiON tray, and 'battery depleted' will be displayed while inserting the tray(s) with the power switch already turned on. I also switch battery types setting but nothing changed, all batteries I use are fresh and fully charged. Correction : the display will turn off while the tray(s) removed, but the camera still operational.

04-28-2016, 06:43 AM	#10
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	I have the same problem, except with an aftermarket grip. I never worked it out, but with 3x Li-ion batterie I never needed it and gave up on the AA tray. I'd be interested if you ever work out the problem.