[Leica] Re: Hong Kong eBay Batteries

[robertbaron1 at gmail.com (Robert D. Baron)]

Earlier today Frank Dernie wrote:

> Recently there was a thread regarding thepoor  longevity of the Leica  
> M8 replacement batteries being offered by a Hong Kong or Chinese ebayer.
> I replied that both mine died during my Umbrian Holiday earlier this  
> month. But....
> 
> Whilst I was away I received a Leica communication for M8 buyers of  
> tips and information. One item mentioned that some non-Leica  
> batteries were lower capacity and the normal caution about  
> malfunction. Another item was an explanation how to resolve an issue  
> with the battery indicator on top of the camera falsely reporting a  
> newly charged battery as almost discharged. This was the  
> characteristic which led me to believe my two batteries were kaput.
> I completely discharged my batteries in the camera by setting the  
> economy timer to off, as advised in the Leica solution for their  
> battery. I then completely recharged them. They now behave again as  
> new again according to the camera top indicator.

This is of interest to me, because (a) I bought four of the cheap 
batteries and soon all four of them no longer seemed to take a full 
charge, and (b) I received and read the same email from Leica M8 Support.

After I read the Leica email I looked at the eBay batteries and observed 
they are 1700 mAh versus the 1900 mAh of the Leica branded batteries. 
Whether this could make a real difference I have no idea but Leica seem 
to think it might.

I then did what you did, with one of my eBay batteries: I ran it down in 
the camera overnight and then re-charged it.  It then showed as being 
fully charged on the camera's battery charge indicator.

However: I remember reading a thread on the LUG or another list wherein 
the poster had done the same thing with success but the next time he 
went to charge the battery it would not take a full charge....until he 
re-did the overnight full draining process.

So, it will be interesting to see if these 'home conditioned' eBay 
batteries will now work as advertised or if they will continually need 
to be completely drained before they will take a full charge.

We will be looking forward to your reports!

;-)

--Bob