Help Canon A70 battery problem?

[(Bean)]

I just got the A70 within the last month. Just had to change the first set of batteries. To replace them I got some Energizer Rechargeable 2300 mAh NiMH batteries. Problem is, after the initial charge I put them in to the camera and it only lasted about 2 minutes - and the camera died - didn't even pull the lense in. Took out batteries, moved them to different slots pressed on - tired to come on then dead. Put in the old ones - turned on fully took a picture - then camera said change batteries and shut down gracefully.

Anyway these are Brand new batteries in a charger I use regularly for some 2100 (mp3 player) - any ideas - a camera problem or battery/charger problem?

[jory29]

Argh!! My Canon A70 operates for around 7 - 10 days at the very minimum, usually closer to over 2 weeks - on one charge. I have found that a slower charging unit such as a trickle charger {sold at Walmart for around $24 or so) seem to work the very best, but either way, you are getting an awful problem; my best guess is, your batteries are somehow faulty. If you try a new set of Alkalines, and all seems well, I would think it is a battery prob. and not a camera prob. Remember too, the camera worked well for the first month, right? I'm pretty sure its the batteries, somehow. Did they fully charge? Were any loose when you charged them? Charge them again, to see what happens.

[masterc]

Are the rech. batteries brand new? If they are old that maybe a problem, but 2300mah are probably new.
What type of charger is it? the rapid chargers, 1 hour or less, have a very high current draw. It supposedly reduces the number of times a battery can be recharged. You can tell by how hot the battery and charger get.
Try another set of rechargables if you can.

Another remote possibility maybe the camera. Canon A series cameras have a "E18" error http://forums.redflagdeals.com/showthread.php?t=37533&highlight=e18
Google E18 error - you'll find plenty of info

[(Bean)]

Tried a new set of batteries - camera worked fine. So it was the rechargeables. It is very strange because they are BRAND NEW - opened the package and put them into the charger. Yes it is a rapid charger and it works well I charge batteries all the time in it. Its true it may shorten the life of the battery (hopefully not to one charge) but it is nice to have a quick charge.

I didn't even know it was possible for batteries to be faulty right out of the package.

[zippy]

That your batteries are Brand New may also be part of the problem. As I understand it, NiMH batteries require a few full charge/discharge cycles in order to reach maximum capacity. Try charging them again and see what happens. Also, make sure your charger is compatible with the batteries you are using.

Zippy

[willy]

Yeap, it happened to me once too. A set of brand new NiMH batteries ... I guess they were so deeply discharged (due to extended storage time maybe). My Maha charger didn't even start (red LED blinked). I then moved them to my other rapid charger and they charged there. I totally discharged them once and charged them again in the Maha charger. This time it worked fine. They have been working fine ever since .....

You may also want to monitor the charging time for the first few times. The charging time (in hrs.) should be ~ 2300mAh / (the output rate in mA of your charger). If it is significantly shorter than the calculated time above, they are not 'full' yet ... Then you may need to cycle them a few more time.