[Leica] Re: Hong Kong eBay Batteries

[grduprey at mchsi.com (grduprey@mchsi.com)]

A potential problem here with the brand x batteries with lower capacity, 
being charged by a charger designed to charge a higher capacity battery, it 
could possibly damage the off brand units as the Leica charger will expect 
to see a capacity of 1900 mAhrs before shutting off.

Gene

-------------- Original message from "Robert D. Baron" 
<robertbaron1@gmail.com>: -------------- 


> 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 
> 
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