Battery Basics: Knowledge is Power

Camcorder batteries can make or break a video shoot. While offering freedom from the nearest wall outlet, they present their own, sometimes maddening, quirks and restrictions. And since they're not among the cheapest accessories you'll ever buy, it helps to know what you need and what's available before you start waving money around. Making an informed battery purchase will pay off in more ways than one.

But besides reading up on the various types and features of batteries, consider your own shooting habits. For instance, if you're not in the habit of videotaping, say, day-long weddings, then you probably won't need to invest in a tripod dolly with 48 pounds of extra batteries aboard. On the other hand, if capturing sunsets and the private lives of wildlife are your specialties, then perhaps a solar-powered charger would be a reasonable investment.

You want to tailor your purchase to your individual requirements, and avoid seductive sales pitches designed to trap the impulsive buyer. How long do you typically run your camcorder? Do you often use the zoom lens, fill-in lights, or viewfinder replay? How about those convenient autofocus, fast forward or reverse options? These all consume battery power that could be used for straight shooting instead.

Okay, so you're hip to battery conservation. And despite using all the standard, energy-saving ploys, you find you still need more batteries. Time to take a look at the two major players in the camcorder power game: lead-acid batteries and nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries, often referred to as "nicads."

The basic design of lead-acid batteries features alternating rows of lead and lead-oxide plates sitting in a diluted sulfuric-acid gel, all sealed in an air-tight housing to prevent leaks. Nicads consist of spiral coils of metal strips rolled into cells. Both differ from traditional disposable batteries in that you can charge and discharge them from 300 to 500 times. Eventually, though, both lead-acid and nicad batteries lose their ability to hold a charge, wearing out as completely as disposable batteries.

When a nicad or lead-acid battery finally calls it quits, don't just heave it in the trash. Cadmium and lead are environmental hazards, so you must dispose of them properly. Some retailers such as Target, Wal-Mart or Radio Shack will recycle camcorder batteries. You can also call the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation at 800-822-8837, or check out their Web site (www.rbrc.com), to find the nearest recycler.

Not all camcorder batteries are interchangeable. Camcorder transport motors operate at specific voltages, so it's important to match the battery's voltage with the camcorder's voltage requirement. Generally, 8mm and VHS-C camcorders require 6-volt batteries, while different VHS camcorders use batteries in the 12, 10 and 9.6 volt range. When it comes to the type of battery--lead-acid or nicad--you can use either. But sometimes it's best to stick to the same type when choosing a replacement or spare. Luckily, most manufacturers put a label on each of their batteries listing the camcorders the battery will work with.

You can write to your camcorder manufacturer for replacement batteries or spares, but you may also want to look into the wide world of accessory battery manufacturers. Companies that make standard replacement batteries for a wide range of camcorders include Duracell, Maxell, Sunpak, Lenmar, NRG, Cool-Lux and others, with prices usually ranging from $35-$80.

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