Charging Batteries

[rflower]

Hi All,

Might seem like a stupid question (or 2) but here goes ...

I have a D50 with EN-EL3 (1500 mAh Li-on) battery (and Nikon MH-18a quick charger). The LED flashes whilst charging, and then glows solid once charging is complete.

Is it fully charged, as soon as the the solid glow starts?
Does it get better if left longer on the charger (ie an hour vs 1 day) ?
If I leave the spare battery on the charger for weeks (months) whilst using the other will that have a detrimental effect on battery on charger?
If I charge a battery and take off the charger, and place in camera bag (not in the camera), will this battery go flat

Just want the best bang for my click

Thanks.

Russell

[Laurie]

my guesses:

#1: Yes
#2: No
#3: Probably Not
#4: No

Now, wait for the professional battery people to arrive. they will have better answers lol

[Mr Darcy]

[quote="Laurie"]my guesses:

#1: Yes
#2: No
#3: Probably Not
#4: No

/quote]
3 out of 4 is not bad.

All batteries have a shelf life. They go flat whteher or not they are used. It varies from battery to battery though. Disposables are generally better than rechargeables with NiMH lasting a couple of months through to Disposable Lithiums lasting a reliable 10 years. Thats why they are used in EPIRBs (emergency beacons).

I am not sure what the Li-Ions Nikon use are like, but previous experience with other brands would place them at about 6 months between charges. This is why I am looking for one of the little battery containers that used to ship with the D70. They stopped supplying them with the D70s (ie Mine!) and they seem to be out of stock everywhere. It makes more sense to me to have a few Lithium CR2s as my spare battery pack which will probably outlast the camera unless I actually need them, rather than have a $pare EN-EL3x which will probably be flat when I need it most.
Sadly this trick won't work with the D200, (and probably the D80) as the camera is too smart for its own good in this respect.

HTH Mr Darcy