Why do digital camera batteries conk out in the cold?

January 31, 2007 2:11 PM

A friend asked why (I thought) his digital camera batteries conk out after 3, 4 or 5 pictures. The situation: he is a real cold weather outdoor enthusiast. He's tried a number of battery types and it happens with each kind. I assume it has to do with the cold, but is keeping it enveloped in warm packaging, yanking it out (risking fogging) then wrapping it up again the only answer. (I tried searching "AskMeta" and could not find a specific repsonse to this problem. Thanks.
posted by schoenbc to Technology (15 answers total)

If cold is indeed the problem, the just pull the batteries and keep them warm. Place them in the camera (which is external & very cold) to shoot, then put them back in your pocket.
posted by chairface at 2:13 PM on January 31, 2007

Depends on the camera and batteries.

- I used Energizer Lithium AAs in Antarctica, Alaska, and the Canadian Arctic without any problems in extreme temperatures.

-Some cameras allow for external battery packs connected via a cable.

-Another solution I've seen used before is taping a hand warmer (chemical pack) to the outside of the camera where the battery compartment is. Use caution.

-Sometimes just having several sets of batteries and rotating them will do. Keep warm ones in inside jacket pockets (making sure contacts are protected).
posted by ig at 2:20 PM on January 31, 2007

What kind of batteries is he using? If they're rechargeables, then he should get some new ones and try keeping them in his pocket when he's not shooting.

Rechargeable batteries can loose their "oomph" after a lot of charge cycles.

If they're not rechargeable, then he probably has a bigger problem.
posted by bshort at 2:32 PM on January 31, 2007

couple of mild hand warmers wrapped around the outside
posted by Salvatorparadise at 2:45 PM on January 31, 2007

Well, it is easy to do a test, isn't it? Put the batteries in the fridge and see if they have any charge when they come out.

What you will discover is, storing charged batteries in the fridge is it great way to prevent self-discharge. NiMH batteries self-discharge rather quickly at room temperature (within about a week), and almost not at all at fridge temperature (for months). The only problem is, NiMH batteries will not discharge into your electronics either when they are cold.

Find somewhere to warm them up, or change battery type.
posted by gmarceau at 2:46 PM on January 31, 2007

Tell your friend to use Lithium batteries. There's a chart on this page that shows why he should.

Looks like NiMh batteries are a distant second when it's cold.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 3:14 PM on January 31, 2007

Do not use alkalines!
posted by kindall at 4:27 PM on January 31, 2007

Nthing the Lithiums. As an added bonus, they're lighter as well, making them an attractive option for backpacking where you're concerned about every last ounce.

Of course, that doesn't usually go with sub-freezing temperatures, but whatever.
posted by rossination at 5:06 PM on January 31, 2007

Bring several sets of batteries (I use NiMH) and keep them in rotation. When you "run out" pop them to an inner pocket, they'll be good when they're warm again.
posted by perpetualstroll at 5:40 PM on January 31, 2007

I haven't tested this, but I have had batteries drain from extreme cold several times... what about keeping backups in a pocket with one of those chemical heat pack pocket warmers?
posted by blaneyphoto at 5:57 PM on January 31, 2007

Are those lithium batteries you guys are talking about the same as Li-Ion rechargables? My camera uses Lithium ion batteries and they seem to last less half as long in the bitter Minnesota cold as they do at room temperature.

Next time I'm going to try the batteries-in-my-pockets trick.
posted by aubilenon at 6:26 PM on January 31, 2007

I've noticed a similar behaviour - I have an mp3 player that I only use for listening to podcasts in the car... however, in the cold weather, if I leave it in the car, it will show me "Battery dead" when I try to use it... only to bring it inside and have it show a full charge.
posted by antifuse at 2:32 AM on February 1, 2007

Oh, and aubilenon - Li-Ion stands for Lithium Ion. So yes. :)
posted by antifuse at 2:32 AM on February 1, 2007

I was referring to the non-rechargeable Lithium batteries. I don't know much about the Li-Ion ones, beyond the fact that the ones I buy for my laptop have an annoyingly short lifespan. In the chart I linked to, you'll see that all the battery types they tested (Alkaline, NiMh, and Lithium) lose capacity when cold. Lithiums lose the least; Alkalines, the most.

Lithium batteries also have a much longer shelf-life than Alkalines.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:07 AM on February 1, 2007

Another for the lithium idea.

I have a fridge/freezer thermometer gizmo; the instructions were pretty adamant about using lithium batteries for the part of it that's stored in the freezer. (The fridge component uses regular ones quite happily, though.)
posted by kmennie at 4:50 AM on February 1, 2007