k5 + d-bg4 = showing no batteries in grip :(

masloff · 10-23-2011, 03:38 AM

Hi,

I`m enjoying my K-5 and recently had purchased an D-BG4 battery grip. I cannot say for sure when it happened (or was it like this all the time), but in menu where you can choose what battery to use first - it shows that I dont have any in grip

How comes? Batteries are rechargeable Varta`s 2800, working fine and other devices showing that there are plenty of juice in them. Putting other batteries in grip also not changing anything.

Apart from that, grip works fine - all the controls on it are doing their job just fine.

Is it my bad karma? What can I check?

Thanks...

**Fries** · 10-23-2011, 03:48 AM

I can't find the Varta 2800 online and on their website... Eneloop from Sanyo should work.

masloff · 10-23-2011, 03:55 AM

Sorry, varta 2700 mah.

But why doesn`t it work even with usual batteries?

RallyDriver96 · 10-23-2011, 04:38 AM

Have AA's always not worked in the grip? If so, my only guess is that your battery tray is your culprit. If you put the camera battery in your grip, does that work?

Greg

JohnX · 10-23-2011, 04:42 AM

Depends where the camera gets it's information from?

If the K-5 batteries are 'smart', ie internal chip to monitor presence and state of charge, etc, then AA batteries are 'dumb', so the camera will not be receiving any data from the AA batteries and may therefore presume there's no grip either.

That said, I would have thought that Pentax would have built a duplicate 'smart' module into the grip for when you use AA's, (especially given what they charge for it!).

Just guessing mind

**Fries** · 10-23-2011, 04:57 AM

My technical knowledge about battery's isn't that good, but I do know there is a auto smart module at work in my K-5 which you can manually override to pick the kind of battery you are using. I do notice that the capacity of the Varta battery exceeds the normal capacity of the normal Eneloop by 700mAh. Perhaps that exceeds the parameters of what the K-5 is capable of handling.

Edit: 2700mAh shouldn't be a problem according to this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/151104-aa-2700mah-...-question.html

masloff · 10-23-2011, 05:34 AM

So, I replaced AA`s tray with camera battery tray - and it worked, seems like electrical circuits are not working somewhere.

I believe this can be fixed at almost any photo repair store even in Ukraine.

By the way - what will give me more juice - 6 AA batteries or one camera battery in grip?

Thanks,
NM

**Fries** · 10-23-2011, 10:01 AM

The camera battery in my experience.

masloff · 10-23-2011, 10:46 AM

Appreciated,

NM

masloff · 02-12-2012, 04:49 AM

just a minor update to everyone interested - your battery grip might not work fine with rechargeable batteries like mine

i had them replaced with simple duracell AA`s - and everything magically worked

seems like my grip has some battery preferences...

Docrwm · 02-12-2012, 05:01 PM

Originally posted by masloff

just a minor update to everyone interested - your battery grip might not work fine with rechargeable batteries like mine

i had them replaced with simple duracell AA`s - and everything magically worked

seems like my grip has some battery preferences...

Glad it's working. I use Eneloops in mine and they work fine.

10-23-2011, 03:38 AM	#1
masloff Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Kiev Photos: Albums Posts: 59	k5 + d-bg4 = showing no batteries in grip :( Hi, I`m enjoying my K-5 and recently had purchased an D-BG4 battery grip. I cannot say for sure when it happened (or was it like this all the time), but in menu where you can choose what battery to use first - it shows that I dont have any in grip How comes? Batteries are rechargeable Varta`s 2800, working fine and other devices showing that there are plenty of juice in them. Putting other batteries in grip also not changing anything. Apart from that, grip works fine - all the controls on it are doing their job just fine. Is it my bad karma? What can I check? Thanks...

10-23-2011, 04:57 AM	#6
Fries Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gauw Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,582	My technical knowledge about battery's isn't that good, but I do know there is a auto smart module at work in my K-5 which you can manually override to pick the kind of battery you are using. I do notice that the capacity of the Varta battery exceeds the normal capacity of the normal Eneloop by 700mAh. Perhaps that exceeds the parameters of what the K-5 is capable of handling. Edit: 2700mAh shouldn't be a problem according to this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/151104-aa-2700mah-...-question.html Last edited by Fries; 10-23-2011 at 05:06 AM. Reason: Additional information

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10-23-2011, 03:48 AM	#2
Fries Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gauw Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,582	I can't find the Varta 2800 online and on their website... Eneloop from Sanyo should work.

10-23-2011, 03:55 AM	#3
masloff Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Kiev Photos: Albums Posts: 59 Original Poster	Sorry, varta 2700 mah. But why doesn`t it work even with usual batteries?

10-23-2011, 04:38 AM	#4
RallyDriver96 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 65	Have AA's always not worked in the grip? If so, my only guess is that your battery tray is your culprit. If you put the camera battery in your grip, does that work? Greg

10-23-2011, 04:42 AM	#5
JohnX Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,116	Depends where the camera gets it's information from? If the K-5 batteries are 'smart', ie internal chip to monitor presence and state of charge, etc, then AA batteries are 'dumb', so the camera will not be receiving any data from the AA batteries and may therefore presume there's no grip either. That said, I would have thought that Pentax would have built a duplicate 'smart' module into the grip for when you use AA's, (especially given what they charge for it!). Just guessing mind

10-23-2011, 05:34 AM	#7
masloff Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Kiev Photos: Albums Posts: 59 Original Poster	So, I replaced AA`s tray with camera battery tray - and it worked, seems like electrical circuits are not working somewhere. I believe this can be fixed at almost any photo repair store even in Ukraine. By the way - what will give me more juice - 6 AA batteries or one camera battery in grip? Thanks, NM

10-23-2011, 10:01 AM	#8
Fries Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gauw Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,582	The camera battery in my experience.

10-23-2011, 10:46 AM	#9
masloff Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Kiev Photos: Albums Posts: 59 Original Poster	Appreciated, NM

02-12-2012, 04:49 AM	#10
masloff Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Kiev Photos: Albums Posts: 59 Original Poster	just a minor update to everyone interested - your battery grip might not work fine with rechargeable batteries like mine i had them replaced with simple duracell AA`s - and everything magically worked seems like my grip has some battery preferences...

02-12-2012, 05:01 PM	#11
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by masloff just a minor update to everyone interested - your battery grip might not work fine with rechargeable batteries like mine i had them replaced with simple duracell AA`s - and everything magically worked seems like my grip has some battery preferences... Glad it's working. I use Eneloops in mine and they work fine.