Battery question

[Leadfoot281]

No, not car batteries. I have a motion activated digital wildlife camera and it uses 6 AA batteries. It also has a solar panel to help keep the batteries charged.

The problem is, is that when I place it outside, the batteries go dead in less than a day. It's cold here, maybe 20 degrees and less at night. Is the cold killing my batteries?

I use the rechargeable type and make sure that they are fully charged before placing the camera outside.

There's a bunch of turkeys in my yard everyday and would like to get some pics of that big Tom I see with them. Thanks!

[Mike Poore]

That seems strange, John, I didn't know batteries could get too cold to work. Have you tried another brand/style? It gets plenty cold up in our mountains, and I've never heard that complaint. Can't wait to see the turkey photos. :turkey:

[LordVader]

In my experience cold is something a battery can do without. Checked on the web:

Since the chemical reactions inside rechargeable batteries become weaker when the temperatures are extremely low, the batteries will not be able to provide their usual performance. (This is a common characteristic of all batteries.)

When using NiMH rechargeable batteries at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit ( 4 Degrees Celsius ), we recommend charging your rechargeable batteries for 3–8 minutes to help provide the catalyst to activate the chemical process and also warming your rechargeable batteries. This will normally allow your rechargeable batteries to provide their normal performance levels, or at least until they cool off again.

[Leadfoot281]

Thanks for the info. I knew there had to be a connection between the cold and the short battery life. That's the reason I bought the solar panel kit. I surprised that doesn't seem to work as well as I thought it would.

I'll try warming the batterys and see if that helps.

There is also a wolf and a couple mature bald eagles that I'd love to get shots of.

[Mike Poore]

In my experience cold is something a battery can do without....

Since the chemical reactions inside rechargeable batteries become weaker when the temperatures are extremely low,
When using NiMH rechargeable batteries at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit ( 4 Degrees Celsius ),....

So, JR, it seems you're saying John would be better off using Ni Cad or regular non-rechargeable batteries, then?

BTW, John, I'm not sure you should be using the words "Shot" and "Bald Eagles" in the same sentence.