Hello, I am looking for some guidance regarding camera batteries for an upcoming trip to Alaska. We will be on the mountain(Denali) for 3+ weeks and expect temps anywhere from 80F to -25F, but mostly we expect below freezing temps for many consecutive days. We will not have the option to charge our camera betteries as the solar charger we have only charges via USB connection and will not charge a 12V charger as there is no plug in available. The camera I will use is my Pan Lumix DMC-LX5. My thought is to bring about 8 fully charged batteries and hope I can get them to last the duration. Some info I have read suggests they don't actually "lose" their charge in severe cold temps and if you reheat the battery(in a pocket or under arm) they will significantly recover and you regain camera function. I was hoping to get some first hand info/experience? Maybe a recomendation on an aftermarket battery that works better in cold? Thanks in advance for any help. Scott

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From stmv/Sebastian (59,801) on April 26, 2012 2:26:52 PM CDT I almost think that custom pocket sewn into your clothes, worn against your body might make sense to keep warm. I do a lot of cold weather hiking for half days, and yes, I can see the effects of the cold. I try to miminize the auto focus, no live view, etc, and do the function all by hand, but, not sure if that is an option for your camera. Almost an artform to keep cameras working in cold temperature. Reply

From ssal/Alex (27,112) on April 26, 2012 6:02:23 PM CDT Keeping the batteries warm certain will be your best bet. So, wrap them up well with insulation and keep it close to some heat source. I read it somewhere sometime ago that Lithium is not the best in cold weather. You run a chance that it totally die because Lithium seems to work full blast or zip. I have hear the old NiCad or Ni Hydrate actually works better in cold weather. Reply

From robertwallis/Robert (12,866) on April 26, 2012 6:43:26 PM CDT I've heard of folks using the chemical heat packs to keep batteries warm in a pocket or pouch, and run a cable to the camera for an external battery pack. Most modern cameras have provision for an AC adapter. That's just an external DC supply. Any decent technician should be able to put an external pack together. If the temp ranges are as horrendous as you suggest, a regulated supply may be in order. Those are relatively easy to put together, as it would a three terminal regulator and and a few parts, although I would suggest farming it out to a competent tech with experience in prototyping. Reply

From stmv/Sebastian (59,801) on April 26, 2012 9:42:32 PM CDT that sounds expensive, maybe just the body pouch, and a few extra fully charged batteries, and only keep the battery in the camera while shooting., Reply

From robertwallis/Robert (12,866) on April 26, 2012 10:23:18 PM CDT The heated battery pack would be the cheapest and easiest. Use a battery pack voltage the same as the camera system, keep it in a pocket or pouch with the crushable chemical heaters, and a simple wire cable going to the camera. It's somewhat of an inconvenienece, but no moreso than using a Quantam battery pack for a flash. The advantage there is that larger capacity batteies could be used. The more expensive but elegant solution is a screw-on battery pack similar to what many cameras have now. The difference could be a small switching inverter that would regulate the output voltage come hell or cold ice. Regulator switching IC's and related parts aren't all that expensive. There's not enough commercial demand for the big boys to manufacture one, but a small job shop could do it. I'm not offering; I got out of the business ca 1996. I'm just sying it is doable. While it may seem expensive, a three week trip to Alaska is a whole lot more expensive. Cost of photos: priceless! [edit] What may be more practical is a blimpy type bag that fit around most of the camera, and a heat pouch could be dropped in there to keep the entire camera warm. At lower temps, gear oil and small parts start to bind or freeze up, and even if the battery is good, the rest of the camera may not be. I recall some older mechanical cameras gumming up on me at +10F. That could be problem. Doing a literature search for the Lake Placid games might be instructive as I recall the weather was hideous and cold. It left many of the pros scrambling to get cameras winterized and battery workarounds was a big issue. Reply

From jroessler/John (14,149) on April 27, 2012 6:32:27 AM CDT May I suggest that if you do go this route - that you make sure the chips are temperature rated, which might mean military grade. Our products have to go well below zero° C and the non-rated fail often. Reply

From robertwallis/Robert (12,866) on April 27, 2012 7:38:58 AM CDT I don't recall the temp ranges on the parts, but either the industrial grade or the mil grade would be needed, and for the extra cost the mil grade would be worth it. On a side note, I've got a long standing project that I may get to this year. I've had two Metz 45 flashes die on me, and it costs too much to fix them. I've got an old Braun RL-915 flash that has more power than a Metz 76 but uses a 510 volt battery which is non-rechargable and runs around $50-65. I'm debating on building a self contained rechargable unit to replace it that has the same shape and size. I've yet to find a chip that has that sort of capability, so I'm considering gutting out a small 12V plug-in 120VAC inverter for the circuit board and using that to run a small transformer to get a 450-500V DC output. It'll probably call for a voltage doubler and a simple voltage reference-pass element regulator. Regulation isn't critical as the original battery would sag down to 420-450V under load. I figure a pack of small NiMh cells could get me the 12V at a decent A/H rating and leave room enough for the rest of the circuitry. It seems like a hare-brained idea at first until you price a new flash at those power levels. The Metz is running about $900, and the parts on this thing would be minimal except for my time. Heh, I've not worked with voltages like that since my vacuum tube days. You learn quickly to keep your hands back and out of the way ;-) Reply

From jroessler/John (14,149) on April 27, 2012 4:25:36 PM CDT That sounds like quite a project. For me... if its more than 5 volts I don't touch it. Digital has been my life, and I'm happy being timid there. I built a Heathkit Colored TV while I was in college and shocked the crap out of myself getting to close to the wrong end of the tube. Reply

From scottperkins/Scott (0) on April 27, 2012 10:39:21 PM CDT Thanks for all the input, it is very much appreciatedand there are some interesting ideas we'd not even considered. In looking over the options, and keeping batteries relatively warm contiuously for 3 weeks is not realistically an option for this trip, it looks like we may just invest in a solar charger that will charge a 12V battery cradle. Goal Zero seems to be the go-to rig for many outdoor adventure photographers/videographers, cost is around $360 for smallest 12V compatable unit, and it gets very high reviews. I figure we can charge our batteries then stick the camera w/ the fresh charged batteries in an inside pocket under our down parkas while we climb, and only expose it to cold briefly to shoot. Thanks again. I'll post back up and let you know what our experiences were with battery and camera function in the extreme cold. Thanks again! Reply

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