More battery frustration

ant! · Apr 29, 2024

@xkaes sorry, I mixed this up: my 7 uses CR123, not CR2! And those aren't the same. So what works for me might not work for you. I use these: https://www.eblofficial.com/collections/usb-batteries/products/cr123a-lithium-battery

xkaes · May 1, 2024

In another way, I just confirmed that none of my "problem" Maxxum 5 cameras have a bad capacitor. None of them will turn on with three brands of NEW CR2 3v lithium batteries that test at 3.3v -- for a total voltage of 6.6v.

I attached the MAXXUM 5 battery pack that uses four AA 1.5v batteries -- and it is marked, "DO NOT USE LITHIUM BATTERIES". The total voltage is measured at 6.4v with the AA batteries. That fires up all of my "problem" MAXXUM 5 cameras. It's probably also why I got them so CHEAP!!!

Now I just need to find a brand that sells lithium CR2 batteries rated at 3.2v. You would think I could get them CHEAP!!! With my luck, they probably charge extra.

xkaes · May 3, 2024

I bought a pair of NEW Energizer CR2 3v batteries today. I checked them out and they tested at 3.24v. They work fine in all my Maxxum 5 cameras that "refuse to budge" with the CR2 3.3v batteries. It's unfortunate that this tiny 0.06v difference makes such a difference. Also unfortunate is that I've got a lot of CR2 3.3v batteries that I have to "dumb down" to 3.2v.

I've got to assume that other CR2-based Maxxum cameras have the same problem -- and perhaps other CR2-based cameras as well.

xkaes · Aug 12, 2024

I have found a solution -- one that might help others out with similar battery problems. They can be perplexing!

My Maxxum 5 uses TWO CR2 LITHIUM batteries. My problem batteries are NEW, "over-charged" at 3.3 volts, and the camera(s) won't turn ON. That's undoubtedly why I got so many of these GREAT cameras for next to nothing -- because the previous owners bought NEW batteries for their "dead" camera, and that did not solve the problem. "The batteries CAN'T be the problem because they are NEW!"

I can easily determine if the camera is dead by attaching the FOUR AA ALKALINE battery pack.

My solution, after determining that the camera actually works, is to use a NEW 3.3v CR2 lithium over-charged battery with another that is almost drained -- 2.8-3.0v. Together, these can power up the camera. Just a couple of "exposures" with the flash ON, drains the 3.3v battery sufficiently to get it to work correctly (with another "drained" the same way).

It's a nuisance, for sure, but seems to work!!!

Maybe YOU can get a great DEAD camera -- for next to nothing -- and bring it back to life TOO!!!

cmacd123 · Aug 12, 2024

xkaes said:
I have found a solution -- one that might help others out with similar battery problems. They can be perplexing!

My Maxxum 5 uses TWO CR2 LITHIUM batteries. My problem batteries are NEW, "over-charged" at 3.3 volts, and the camera(s) won't turn ON.

I once got a "great Deal {Ya Sure}) on some "Interstate Batteries" brand CR-2 cells. they had the strange property of showing 3/4 dead, until you would draw some current. I was using a Canon Rebel Ti, and it would show dead batty. BUT if I could open the flash, (some times the flash Open would not oblige because of Low Battry) and wait for the flash to charge, the battry Icon changed to full. and I could shoot as much as I wanted. Next day back to looking almost dead.

I now try to only Buy ENERGIZER batteries

xkaes · Aug 12, 2024

TOO FUNNY. I'll have to check my "resurrected" batteries tomorrow to see if there is any life left in them.

These batteries are TOO WEIRD (a word you will hear a lot of in the next three months!!!)

cmacd123 · Aug 12, 2024

xkaes said:
My solution, after determining that the camera actually works, is to use a NEW 3.3v CR2 lithium over-charged battery with another that is almost drained -- 2.8-3.0v. Together, these can power up the camera. Just a couple of "exposures" with the flash ON, drains the 3.3v battery sufficiently to get it to work correctly (with another "drained" the same way).

as usual, exercise caution with mixing batteries, particularly Lithium. it is posible to Negatively Charge a battery and get it to start a fire.

MFstooges · Aug 12, 2024

Maybe you should create a "warm-up" station consists of battery socket and a load (LED or small motor).
Not sure about the Vivitar flash, my experience is it doesn't discriminate.

xkaes · Aug 13, 2024

cmacd123 said:
as usual, exercise caution with mixing batteries, particularly Lithium. it is posible to Negatively Charge a battery and get it to start a fire.

I have no idea what this means.

4season · Aug 13, 2024

Time to repair that Maxxum 5? I wouldn’t be surprised if capacitors were overdue for replacement. It’s not supposed to be so fiddly with regard to new batteries.

xkaes · Aug 13, 2024

We've discussed this before. The cameras -- there are more than one -- work FINE with some batteries, and won't work with others (those that test at 3.3v). That's a total of 6.6v for a camera that is designed for 6 volts. When I reduce the 3.3 volts by firing a couple of flash exposures, the cameras all work fine.

The cameras are not the problem. Overcharged batteries are. Maybe certain battery manufacturers just have crappy standards, or perhaps they intentionally overcharge them thinking that by the time they get to the consumer the voltage will drop on it own.

But the cameras all work fine when the battery voltage is what it should be.

I think this is why the four AA-battery grip for the Maxxum 5 (BP-200) is imprinted "DO NOT USE LITHIUM BATTERIES" in the plastic. Lithium batteries tend to carry a higher voltage than alkaline batteries, and that's one way I test these "dead" cameras to find out if they are OK. If one doesn't work with two CR2 lithium batteries, I simply attach a BP-200 with four AA alkaline batteries. So far all of the "dead" Maxxum 5 cameras spring back to life. So the cameras and their capacitors are all A-OK.

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