depleted batteries

wipe · 01-24-2011, 07:05 PM

Hello to all! I've read about this problem with AA batteries but my K-100D super just gives me this ''batteries depleted'' message with my brand new crv-3's. I just don't understand. The message appears as I take the first shot with the batteries fully charged. Any guess as to what is the problem? I hope it is nothing serious...

thanks for any input
Frank

gp1806 · 01-25-2011, 05:56 AM

Try Eneloops. They work. Look on amazon. Duracell PRECHARGED rechargeable batteries work too.
Look here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-technical-troubleshooting/130322-...indicator.html

Tom S. · 01-25-2011, 08:11 AM

Not all rechargeable batteries are equal, nor are their chargers. Get a volt meter and check the output of one of your freshly charged batteries. I'm betting they aren't putting out sufficient voltage.

You have two choices, buy new rechargeable batteries or a new recharger, unless you have a friend you can swap with to see if you can trace the problem. I'd try batteries first. As mentioned, Eneloops have a sterling reputation.

As a side note, I used cheap rechargable batteries with my ist-Ds and they never did charge up to what the camera needed. Not only did they die rapidly, their 'sitting life' after charging was very short.

dhoop · 01-25-2011, 10:09 AM

Check my "battery indicator" strand of 1/23. I just went thru this with my Super and everything is fine now.

wipe · 01-25-2011, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by Tom S.

Not all rechargeable batteries are equal, nor are their chargers. Get a volt meter and check the output of one of your freshly charged batteries. I'm betting they aren't putting out sufficient voltage.

Voltage was showing up great on my batteries... After a bit of reading and a call to the store where I bought the camera, the problem should be the miliamps of the batteries wich is too low. Apparently Pentax recommends 2200 mah for the camera to fonction properly... My brand new batteries were 1100 mah. So the local camera store just robbed me a bit more with a brand new kit of Ansmann 2850 mah and charger for 79$ (wich I can get on ebay for 35$... but I needed it now so I had to pay way too much for it....

anyhow... I cant wait to play a bit with the camera after I charge the batteries and see in a month or so how they hold up....

The only concern I have is the fact that my lithium batteries used to do very well in cold weather, wich is not necessarily true of ni-mh batteries. Have any of you ever tried the Ansmann in cold weather (true canadian winter...between -10 or -20 celcius)?

**Just1MoreDave** · 01-25-2011, 09:26 PM

Page 26 of your manual says don't use rechargeable CRV3s.

Tom S. · 01-26-2011, 09:33 AM

Originally posted by wipe

Voltage was showing up great on my batteries... After a bit of reading and a call to the store where I bought the camera, the problem should be the miliamps of the batteries wich is too low. Apparently Pentax recommends 2200 mah for the camera to fonction properly... My brand new batteries were 1100 mah. So the local camera store just robbed me a bit more with a brand new kit of Ansmann 2850 mah and charger for 79$ (wich I can get on ebay for 35$... but I needed it now so I had to pay way too much for it....

anyhow... I cant wait to play a bit with the camera after I charge the batteries and see in a month or so how they hold up....

The only concern I have is the fact that my lithium batteries used to do very well in cold weather, wich is not necessarily true of ni-mh batteries. Have any of you ever tried the Ansmann in cold weather (true canadian winter...between -10 or -20 celcius)?

I forgot about the amp difference, which is really bad for me considering my electrical background, and I apologize. The only advise I can offer on the cold weather is to carry a spare set in an inside coat pocket! My luck with anything other than lithium and cold weather has been spotty.

wipe · 01-26-2011, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

Page 26 of your manual says don't use rechargeable CRV3s.

I had not noticed this before... but it says the R-CRV3s are not recommanded.... that they MAY cause malfunctions... still, if I ever find rechargeable crv3s that have the Mah requiered, I'll jump on them, since they are by far the best I've ever had, by far.

slip · 01-26-2011, 05:20 PM

I was having problems similar to you but with my flash. I have a tool that is used to clean copper pipe (like a wire brush with fine wires) and I gave the contacts a brushing, and it works now (did not even turn on before)
might be worth a try

here a a pic of a similar one Ridgid 4100 Copper Pipe Cleaning Brush

hope this helps

randy

**Ex Finn.** · 01-26-2011, 05:58 PM

That is way drastic for cleaning contacts. Works for plumbing pipe and car batteries, no good for electronics.
Cuts through any protective metal layer deposited on the contacts, rendering them useless in a short order. Read "rusting/ corrosion".
If you feel the need for Heavy Duty cleaning, then use a pencil eraser, easy with that too because it is highly abrasive.

01-24-2011, 07:05 PM	#1
wipe Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: near Montreal Posts: 3	depleted batteries Hello to all! I've read about this problem with AA batteries but my K-100D super just gives me this ''batteries depleted'' message with my brand new crv-3's. I just don't understand. The message appears as I take the first shot with the batteries fully charged. Any guess as to what is the problem? I hope it is nothing serious... thanks for any input Frank

01-25-2011, 10:09 AM	#4
dhoop New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Left Coast, FL Posts: 4	depleted Check my "battery indicator" strand of 1/23. I just went thru this with my Super and everything is fine now.

01-26-2011, 02:02 PM	#8
wipe Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: near Montreal Posts: 3 Original Poster	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave Page 26 of your manual says don't use rechargeable CRV3s. I had not noticed this before... but it says the R-CRV3s are not recommanded.... that they MAY cause malfunctions... still, if I ever find rechargeable crv3s that have the Mah requiered, I'll jump on them, since they are by far the best I've ever had, by far. Last edited by wipe; 01-26-2011 at 06:16 PM.

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01-25-2011, 05:56 AM	#2
gp1806 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs Photos: Albums Posts: 848	Try Eneloops. They work. Look on amazon. Duracell PRECHARGED rechargeable batteries work too. Look here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-technical-troubleshooting/130322-...indicator.html

01-25-2011, 08:11 AM	#3
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317	Not all rechargeable batteries are equal, nor are their chargers. Get a volt meter and check the output of one of your freshly charged batteries. I'm betting they aren't putting out sufficient voltage. You have two choices, buy new rechargeable batteries or a new recharger, unless you have a friend you can swap with to see if you can trace the problem. I'd try batteries first. As mentioned, Eneloops have a sterling reputation. As a side note, I used cheap rechargable batteries with my ist-Ds and they never did charge up to what the camera needed. Not only did they die rapidly, their 'sitting life' after charging was very short.

01-25-2011, 01:05 PM	#5
wipe Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: near Montreal Posts: 3 Original Poster	Originally posted by Tom S. Not all rechargeable batteries are equal, nor are their chargers. Get a volt meter and check the output of one of your freshly charged batteries. I'm betting they aren't putting out sufficient voltage. Voltage was showing up great on my batteries... After a bit of reading and a call to the store where I bought the camera, the problem should be the miliamps of the batteries wich is too low. Apparently Pentax recommends 2200 mah for the camera to fonction properly... My brand new batteries were 1100 mah. So the local camera store just robbed me a bit more with a brand new kit of Ansmann 2850 mah and charger for 79$ (wich I can get on ebay for 35$... but I needed it now so I had to pay way too much for it.... anyhow... I cant wait to play a bit with the camera after I charge the batteries and see in a month or so how they hold up.... The only concern I have is the fact that my lithium batteries used to do very well in cold weather, wich is not necessarily true of ni-mh batteries. Have any of you ever tried the Ansmann in cold weather (true canadian winter...between -10 or -20 celcius)?

01-25-2011, 09:26 PM	#6
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Page 26 of your manual says don't use rechargeable CRV3s.

01-26-2011, 09:33 AM	#7
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317	Originally posted by wipe Voltage was showing up great on my batteries... After a bit of reading and a call to the store where I bought the camera, the problem should be the miliamps of the batteries wich is too low. Apparently Pentax recommends 2200 mah for the camera to fonction properly... My brand new batteries were 1100 mah. So the local camera store just robbed me a bit more with a brand new kit of Ansmann 2850 mah and charger for 79$ (wich I can get on ebay for 35$... but I needed it now so I had to pay way too much for it.... anyhow... I cant wait to play a bit with the camera after I charge the batteries and see in a month or so how they hold up.... The only concern I have is the fact that my lithium batteries used to do very well in cold weather, wich is not necessarily true of ni-mh batteries. Have any of you ever tried the Ansmann in cold weather (true canadian winter...between -10 or -20 celcius)? I forgot about the amp difference, which is really bad for me considering my electrical background, and I apologize. The only advise I can offer on the cold weather is to carry a spare set in an inside coat pocket! My luck with anything other than lithium and cold weather has been spotty.

01-26-2011, 05:20 PM	#9
slip Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,535	I was having problems similar to you but with my flash. I have a tool that is used to clean copper pipe (like a wire brush with fine wires) and I gave the contacts a brushing, and it works now (did not even turn on before) might be worth a try here a a pic of a similar one Ridgid 4100 Copper Pipe Cleaning Brush hope this helps randy

01-26-2011, 05:58 PM	#10
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	That is way drastic for cleaning contacts. Works for plumbing pipe and car batteries, no good for electronics. Cuts through any protective metal layer deposited on the contacts, rendering them useless in a short order. Read "rusting/ corrosion". If you feel the need for Heavy Duty cleaning, then use a pencil eraser, easy with that too because it is highly abrasive.