Q2 - Battery Leak (Leica FOTOS is disabled)

[locopek]

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Hello everyone,

I realized that my battery drains while it is inside the camera. Leica FOTOS option is disabled (I've read that when it's on, battery drain can occur).

Any idea what might be causing this? At first I thought that the problem was the battery, then I tried with another one and the same problem happened.

This issue started randomly some months ago so for now I have to store my camera without battery, which isn't terrible but it it a little bit "less ready" for the action. I wouldn't relate this to a camera firmware update.

 

Thanks -

Edited December 17, 2021 by locopek

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[nwphil]

unless it's a substantial drop in a short time, then might be an issue; otherwise is just usual.

"RECHARGEABLE BATTERY
• The battery must have a temperature between + 10°C and + 30°C for charging, as the charger will otherwise not switch on or will switch off again.
• Lithium-ion batteries can be charged at any time, regardless of their current charge level. A partially charged battery will charge to full capacity faster than a fully discharged one.
• The rechargeable batteries come only partly charged ex works and should therefore be charged fully before their first use.
• A new battery only reaches its full capacity after it has been fully charged and – by using it in the camera – depleted 2 to 3 times. This depletion process should be repeated roughly every 25 cycles.
• Battery and charger heat up during the charging process. That is normal and not a malfunction.
• Rapid flashing of the two LEDs (> 2 Hz) when charging commences indicates a charging error (e.g. maximum charging time exceeded, voltages or temperatures outside permitted ranges or a short circuit). Disconnect the charger from the mains and remove the battery. Ensure that the above tempera- ture conditions are met and then restart the charging process. Please contact your dealer, the Leica office in your country or Leica Camera AG if the problem persists.
• Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries generate power by way of internal chemical reactions. These reactions are influenced by ambient temperature and humidity. To ensure a maximum service life of the battery, it should not be exposed to extreme temperatures (high or low) for extended periods of time (e.g. in a parked car in the summer or winter).
• However, every battery has a limited service life! After several hundred charging cycles, this limitation will become evident as the operating times get significantly shorter.

The replaceable battery supplies power to a backup battery, which is permanently installed in the camera. This backup battery retains the date and time for up to 2 months. Once the backup battery is depleted, it must be replenished by inserting a charged main battery. The backup battery will recover its full capacity after approx. 60 hours with the rechargeable battery in place. The camera does not have to be switched on for the process. The time and date will have to be set again after a full depletion of the backup battery.
• As the battery capacity deteriorates or if using an older battery, warning messages may appear and some functions may be restricted or blocked entirely.
• Remove the battery if the camera will not be used for an extended period of time. Make sure to switch the camera off via the main switch before removing the battery. Leaving the battery in the camera will result in a deep discharge after a few weeks. Voltage levels will decrease significantly, as the camera uses a low idle current to maintain settings.
• Dispose of damaged batteries in accordance with the relevant regulations at an approved collection point for proper recycling.
• The date of manufacture can be found on the battery. The date format is week/year"

 

page 135 https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1562385/Leica-Q2.html?page=135#manual 

 

"Should lithium-ion batteries be fully discharged before charging?

Unlike other types of batteries that need to be recharged throughout their storage time, lithium batteries do better at 40%-50% DOD (depth of discharge). Pro-Tip: After every 30 charges, allow your lithium based battery to completely discharge before recharging. This helps to avoid a condition called digital memory."

Edited December 17, 2021 by nwphil

[LexS]

For those who are interested in some more about batteries:

https://batteryuniversity.com

 

[SrMi]

Unlike nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hybrid cells, Li-Ion batteries were supposed to have no memory effects. However, it was discovered that lithium based cells have something like a memory effect. 

https://phys.org/news/2013-04-memory-effect-lithium-ion-batteries.html

"The memory effect only vanished if one waited a sufficiently long time after a cycle of partial charging followed by full discharge"

"It is indeed absolutely possible that the effect could be detected and taken into account through clever adaptation of the software in battery management systems"

I never fully discharge my li-ion batteries on purpose.

Edited December 24, 2021 by SrMi

[LexS]

On 12/24/2021 at 5:20 PM, SrMi said:

I never fully discharge my li-ion batteries on purpose

neither do I. counterproductive imho.