K200D Super power dead?

**rparmar** · 09-17-2008, 02:13 AM

Two weeks ago something strange happened to my camera. I'd put a newly charged battery set in and it would read no charge, or, it would read full charge but discharge almost immediately. I bought an MH-C9000 WizardOne at 80 euros (ouch!) and ran a set through the full discharge/recharge cycle. These still do not power the camera.

I think my body is dead, though I have no idea how this could have happened. I have no similar device to test the batteries in, but surely they'd be ok after the super-duper reconditioner was through with them. (They are about 6 months old).

Anyone else have this experience or advice? I am sad being without my Pentax.

séamuis · 09-17-2008, 02:27 AM

I don't see how it could be your body. what brand of batteries are you using?

**rparmar** · 09-17-2008, 03:43 AM

Sorry, typo in the header. It is a K100D Super.

**rparmar** · 09-17-2008, 03:44 AM

Originally posted by séamuis

I don't see how it could be your body. what brand of batteries are you using?

Uniross 2700 mAh
Duracell 2650 mAh

marlon · 09-17-2008, 03:47 AM

I also doubt it;s the body.
Try a whole new set of batteries. I also have the maha c9000, it's a great charger, and definitely does the batteries good if used correctly. Remember not to OVERcharge them, or charge them at higher than 0.5C

séamuis · 09-17-2008, 03:47 AM

I cant speak for the others but I have had less than stellar performance from the Duracell 2650's even after doing a refresh with a Lacrosse BC-900.

**rparmar** · 09-17-2008, 05:46 AM

Unfortunately these are the only two types of batteries readily accessible to me.

I might try another set but this is getting rather expensive!

Peter Zack · 09-17-2008, 05:50 AM

Why not just use a good set of Lithiums or Alkaline batteries to test the camera instead of more rechargables. I unfortunately disagree with the others that it's far more likely the camera has an issue than the batteries since you've tried 2 different sets. The camera is far more complex than the batteries.

Marc Sabatella · 09-17-2008, 11:15 AM

Originally posted by rparmar

Uniross 2700 mAh
Duracell 2650 mAh

Two of each being mixed, or do your mean you have two sets that both fail? Could be the charger with the problem.

Unless the Uniross are the "Hybrio" type, I'd toss these in the can, get some Hybrios or Eneloops, and stop messing with those old-style batteries. They just don't work nearly as well.

**rparmar** · 09-17-2008, 11:54 AM

Two sets that both fail.

I have tried three chargers, including the mega-expensive one I bought specifically to deal with this problem. Now I will go out and spend another 20 euros on a third battery set, just to be sure it is the camera at fault.

The problem here has been availability. But I just found out that, for the first time, a local store carries the Eneloops. They didn't when I looked even a few weeks back. I will pick them up tomorrow.

This will be 160 euros invested in batteries. Had I only put that towards the K20D instead...

séamuis · 09-17-2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

This will be 160 euros invested in batteries. Had I only put that towards the K20D instead...

which could end up having the same problem.... though I do feel bad for you, that's a lot of dough invested in batteries.

I had one set of batteries and one charger both duracell. I got fed up with both the batteries and the charger so I purchased some eneloops and the Lacrosse BC-900. I'm glad I did.

is your 100DS still under warranty?

Reps · 09-17-2008, 12:46 PM

but some alkaline batteries would be a nice alternative for problem evaluation before (always recommended) Eneloops purchase...
Best and happy evaluating, JR

**rparmar** · 09-17-2008, 03:14 PM

Originally posted by Reps

but some alkaline batteries would be a nice alternative for problem evaluation before (always recommended) Eneloops purchase...

I used up my last set a little while back, and they did seem to power the camera, but only for maybe 70 shots. Not sure if that is typical. Eneloops tomorrow.

Nico · 09-17-2008, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by Reps

but some alkaline batteries would be a nice alternative for problem evaluation before (always recommended) Eneloops purchase...
Best and happy evaluating, JR

I think it is a good idea. Peter Zack also suggested it. I would go a step further and inspect the contacts for acid build up or foreign material inside the battery compartment. It is a good idea to clean the contacts with alcohol. If everything checks ok with the camera you can move on to the batterey/ charger.

I had the same fast discharge problem (3 shots) with Energizer. Duracell 2650 mAh and Sony 2700 mAh works fine. Good luck.

ghost · 09-17-2008, 03:30 PM

Here is a really stupid question, is there a memory card in the camera (with space available for pictures)? If there is no memory card in my camera, it turns on for a split second and then shuts itself off right away (while showing a full battery). I hope this is your problem as it is never fun sending it away for fixing. Good luck!

09-17-2008, 02:13 AM	#1
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823	K200D Super power dead? Two weeks ago something strange happened to my camera. I'd put a newly charged battery set in and it would read no charge, or, it would read full charge but discharge almost immediately. I bought an MH-C9000 WizardOne at 80 euros (ouch!) and ran a set through the full discharge/recharge cycle. These still do not power the camera. I think my body is dead, though I have no idea how this could have happened. I have no similar device to test the batteries in, but surely they'd be ok after the super-duper reconditioner was through with them. (They are about 6 months old). Anyone else have this experience or advice? I am sad being without my Pentax.

09-17-2008, 12:46 PM	#12
Reps Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tartu, Estonia Posts: 159	Maybe I missed/misread something but some alkaline batteries would be a nice alternative for problem evaluation before (always recommended) Eneloops purchase... Best and happy evaluating, JR

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09-17-2008, 02:27 AM	#2
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	I don't see how it could be your body. what brand of batteries are you using?

09-17-2008, 03:43 AM	#3
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823 Original Poster	Sorry, typo in the header. It is a K100D Super.

09-17-2008, 03:44 AM	#4
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823 Original Poster	Originally posted by séamuis I don't see how it could be your body. what brand of batteries are you using? Uniross 2700 mAh Duracell 2650 mAh

09-17-2008, 03:47 AM	#5
marlon Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 232	I also doubt it;s the body. Try a whole new set of batteries. I also have the maha c9000, it's a great charger, and definitely does the batteries good if used correctly. Remember not to OVERcharge them, or charge them at higher than 0.5C

09-17-2008, 05:46 AM	#7
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823 Original Poster	Unfortunately these are the only two types of batteries readily accessible to me. I might try another set but this is getting rather expensive!

09-17-2008, 05:50 AM	#8
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Why not just use a good set of Lithiums or Alkaline batteries to test the camera instead of more rechargables. I unfortunately disagree with the others that it's far more likely the camera has an issue than the batteries since you've tried 2 different sets. The camera is far more complex than the batteries.

09-17-2008, 11:15 AM	#9
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by rparmar Uniross 2700 mAh Duracell 2650 mAh Two of each being mixed, or do your mean you have two sets that both fail? Could be the charger with the problem. Unless the Uniross are the "Hybrio" type, I'd toss these in the can, get some Hybrios or Eneloops, and stop messing with those old-style batteries. They just don't work nearly as well.

09-17-2008, 11:54 AM	#10
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823 Original Poster	Two sets that both fail. I have tried three chargers, including the mega-expensive one I bought specifically to deal with this problem. Now I will go out and spend another 20 euros on a third battery set, just to be sure it is the camera at fault. The problem here has been availability. But I just found out that, for the first time, a local store carries the Eneloops. They didn't when I looked even a few weeks back. I will pick them up tomorrow. This will be 160 euros invested in batteries. Had I only put that towards the K20D instead...

09-17-2008, 11:59 AM	#11
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Quote: This will be 160 euros invested in batteries. Had I only put that towards the K20D instead... which could end up having the same problem.... though I do feel bad for you, that's a lot of dough invested in batteries. I had one set of batteries and one charger both duracell. I got fed up with both the batteries and the charger so I purchased some eneloops and the Lacrosse BC-900. I'm glad I did. is your 100DS still under warranty?

09-17-2008, 03:14 PM	#13
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823 Original Poster	Originally posted by Reps but some alkaline batteries would be a nice alternative for problem evaluation before (always recommended) Eneloops purchase... I used up my last set a little while back, and they did seem to power the camera, but only for maybe 70 shots. Not sure if that is typical. Eneloops tomorrow.

09-17-2008, 03:24 PM	#14
Nico Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Irvine, So. Cal Posts: 127	Originally posted by Reps but some alkaline batteries would be a nice alternative for problem evaluation before (always recommended) Eneloops purchase... Best and happy evaluating, JR I think it is a good idea. Peter Zack also suggested it. I would go a step further and inspect the contacts for acid build up or foreign material inside the battery compartment. It is a good idea to clean the contacts with alcohol. If everything checks ok with the camera you can move on to the batterey/ charger. I had the same fast discharge problem (3 shots) with Energizer. Duracell 2650 mAh and Sony 2700 mAh works fine. Good luck.

09-17-2008, 03:30 PM	#15
ghost Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Barrie, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 174	Here is a really stupid question, is there a memory card in the camera (with space available for pictures)? If there is no memory card in my camera, it turns on for a split second and then shuts itself off right away (while showing a full battery). I hope this is your problem as it is never fun sending it away for fixing. Good luck!