SL small problem

[G. van Asch]

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I have two batteries and one works perfect but the second one does not come out when I push the button.

If I softly hit the camera on top it comes out after a while. I checked both batteries and as far as I see they are exactly the same.

Thanks for any answer,

Gerjan van Asch

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[349A]

You have to tap the battery to release it.

[G. van Asch]

No, I have to tap on the top of the camera because normally it comes a little out and with a small tap on the battery it comes out.

Now the battery doesn't come out (just a few mm's) and if I tap the battery it will go in again.

[larsv]

Return the battery and get a new one.

[ramarren]

Return the battery and get a new one.

 

 

Yes, it sounds like the bit of plastic that acts as a catch detent on the misbehaving battery isn't formed just right. At the price of these batteries, exchange it for one that works as it is supposed to. 

[Jared]

Just to make sure we are all on the same page, it's supposed to work like this:

 

* Release the battery with the lever on the bottom of the camera. Battery drops a couple millimeters.

* Push up slightly on the battery from the bottom--not enough to reinsert the battery in the camera--and let go.

* Battery drops into your hand.

 

You are saying that the battery doesn't drop into your hand unless you tap on the top of the camera, yes? If so, then I agree with the others that the battery should be exchanged. Either the mold for the battery didn't come out quite right, perhaps a bit of flashing that wasn't trimmed, or the battery is beginning to swell up a little and it is sticking in the compartment. If the latter is true, the battery may actually be a fire hazard, so until you can return it I would keep it somewhere safe like outside and away from my house and precious Leica equipment! It's probably just a defect in the battery case, but better safe than sorry. I have had one defective lithium ion battery swell up and deform the case on a computer. Definitely not good and not safe.

 

- Jared

[G. van Asch]

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Jared,

thanks a lot. I live in Istanbul without any Leica dealer but am going to Holland in april.
I will follow your advise: not use the batterie any more and change it for a new one.

Thanks again for your brilliant advice,

Gerjan van Asch 

[dgktkr]

No, I have to tap on the top of the camera because normally it comes a little out and with a small tap on the battery it comes out.

Now the battery doesn't come out (just a few mm's) and if I tap the battery it will go in again.

 

Hi Gerjan,

 

It might still be possible to sort things out for yourself. Hopefully, it's a simple mechanical problem.

 

You write that the problematic battery pops out a few mm when you rotate the silver battery lever on the bottom of the camera, but that when you push it back in slightly, nothing happens until it fully clicks back into the camera. Is that correct?

 

With my SL, the battery pops out 6mm, irrespective of whether the bottom of the camera is facing up or down. After that, irrespective of whether the bottom of the camera is facing up or down, pressing the battery back in about 2mm causes a click to occur, after which the battery is pushed out by a spring and I can grab it to completely remove it. After the battery has popped out the 6 mm, instead of removing it, I can press it back in past the point where it clicks to lock it back into place.

 

If I'm understanding you, when you rotate the silver battery release lever, one of your batteries doesn't pop out the initial 6mm. That could be due to one of a number of reasons. 1) As suggested above, maybe the outside of the plastic battery case is larger than it should be because a cell inside has swelled (which is not good at all). I would think that a very careful examination (perhaps even measurement) would confirm that this is the case. 2) The plastic battery case wasn't molded or assembled properly. Again, a very careful comparison with the good battery might locate the problem. 3) The groove in the battery case (the side with the embossed "LEICA") is not properly formed or has some lint jammed into it. The shapes of the grooves in the two batteries should be indistinguishable. 4) There is something wrong with the cone shaped spring against the end of the battery compartment. Shine a light in to take a look-see. 5) Maybe there is something wrong with the little metal rod in the battery compartment that is supposed to hold the battery in. Look at it. Is is bent? With your finger can you move it towards the front of the camera, does it spring back towards the back of the camera when you let go? Does it move towards the front of the camera when you rotate the silver battery release lever. Do both go back to their rest positions when you let go of the battery release lever? 6) Is the metal rod out of spec and too long? Start with both batteries out of the camera. One at a time, slowly push them back in. Look, listen and feel to try to determine whether either of them drags on the rod or the sides of the battery compartment as you push it back in. When the battery is less than about 12mm away from being fully inserted, you might notice that the cone shaped spring has started to come into play.

 

Good luck!

 

dgktkr

Edited March 24, 2016 by dgktkr

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Also you should note that if the battery is puffed, even slightly it may be illegal to transport by air and possibly dangerous. LiPo fires are not to be taken lightly.

 

I would contact Leica and ask their advice. Perhaps with some photos or a video of what is happening. They may organise you a replacement without you having to put a puffy battery on an aircraft.

 

Gordon

[G. van Asch]

Thanks Gordon,

 

Yesterday I put the loaded (problem) battery in my camera and it came out without a problem so I thought maybe the battery is OK and it was my mistake.

 

 I used the camera this morning and the battery doesn't come out again. If you use the battery and it is working in the camera is it possible that it swell's because it gets hotter???

 

Please does anyone know about this???

[Guest]

Thanks Gordon,

 

Yesterday I put the loaded (problem) battery in my camera and it came out without a problem so I thought maybe the battery is OK and it was my mistake.

 

 I used the camera this morning and the battery doesn't come out again. If you use the battery and it is working in the camera is it possible that it swell's because it gets hotter???

 

Please does anyone know about this???

 

If it did swell because it gets hotter, then I would say it is getting too hot and is a faulty battery and should be replaced immediately.

[tobey bilek]

Attach some tape to use as a handle.  What do you expect for $12,000.

[Jared]

Thanks Gordon,

 

Yesterday I put the loaded (problem) battery in my camera and it came out without a problem so I thought maybe the battery is OK and it was my mistake.

 

 I used the camera this morning and the battery doesn't come out again. If you use the battery and it is working in the camera is it possible that it swell's because it gets hotter???

 

Please does anyone know about this???

 

 

It shouldn't ever be close to tight.  Both of my two batteries when at ambient (approximately 25*C) have over half a millimeter of free play.  The only tight part is the rubber gasket when the battery is fully inserted.  If the case is swelling when the battery gets hot you have a defective cell and it is a potential fire hazard.  I'd get it replaced.  You've got a second battery to use in the meanwhile.  Seriously, unless you can see a defect in the case itself somewhere I wouldn't insert that battery in your camera any more and I would store it somewhere where it isn't a fire hazard until you can get instructions from a Leica repair facility on when they can replace it for you and how to dispose of it.  Unless you are confident it's a simple molding issue in the case I would treat the battery carefully.

 

- Jared

[G. van Asch]

Jared thank you, I am going to Holland in a few weeks and ask for a new battery.

Thanks again,

Gerjan van Asch

 

( by the way I'm picking up a new TL 35/1.4 and a secondhand R-Apo 180mm)

[Jared]

I think you will really enjoy the R 180. The SL makes it possible to really appreciate Leica's better telephoto a again.

 

- Jared

[G. van Asch]

I received an email from Leica to change the battery for a new one and not use it anymore

because it can damage the SL

Gerjan

[wlaidlaw]

I was using my SL in 43º of heat in Myanmar and the batteries were still popping in and out with no problem, so I would think that your diagnosis of a swollen battery is correct. I did notice the battery end of the SL getting uncomfortably warm in continuous use in those temperatures but I think this is above its rated temperature range of up to 40º, so I should not be surprised. 

 

Wilson

[Aldrestop]

H

I have two batteries and one works perfect but the second one does not come out when I push the button.

If I softly hit the camera on top it comes out after a while. I checked both batteries and as far as I see they are exactly the same.

Thanks for any answer,

Gerjan van Asch

How exactly did you manage to get the battery out?

Mine just stuck.

When I rotate the silver lever, nothing happened.

Please help.

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