bherman01545 Posted September 30, 2022 Share #1 Posted September 30, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi All; I have a Leica SL2-S and three new BP-SCL4 batteries. These are the batteries used for the Q2, SL, SL2, and SL2-S cameras. The camera came with the Leica charger, but I also purchased a new Nitecore ULSL USB Charger for travel. I might be having having a problem with the Nitecore ULSL charger. I have used this very same charger in the past and it was able to successfully charge the Leica BP-SCL4 batteries right out of the box. When I try to charge the batteries (it happens with all three) I just get the five bars flashing on the display several times, followed by an “EE EE” I looked this up in the Nitecore manual, and it states: Reverse Polarity and Anti-Short Circuit Protection The ULSL uses mechanical reverse polarity protection. Inserting incompatible batteries or incorrectly installing batteries will prevent the initiation of the charging process. The error message “EE EE” will come upon the LCD display when a short-circuited battery is installed.Note: When the display shows the error message “EE EE”, please put the battery into the original battery charger for 30 minutes to activate it. If it is still unable to get charged after this, please replace the battery. I tried charging the Leica BP-SCL4 battery for 1-hour in the Leica OEM charger (like the manual suggested) and then tried it again in the Nitecore charger and the same thing happens. These batteries have a 2022 manufacture date. Do they have some sort of chip of protection to prohibit the use of third-party chargers or is the Nitecore charger defective? Thanks -Brad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 30, 2022 Posted September 30, 2022 Hi bherman01545, Take a look here Leica BP-SCL4 Batteries and Nitecore Charger. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
frame-it Posted September 30, 2022 Share #2 Posted September 30, 2022 1 hour ago, bherman01545 said: Do they have some sort of chip of protection to prohibit the use of third-party chargers if true, its unfortunate that Leica would do something like this unless they really want people to use only the original batteries and original chargers. perhaps they have encountered cameras sent in for repairs with motherboard or other problems linked to batteries or something Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Chef Posted September 30, 2022 Share #3 Posted September 30, 2022 If the battery charges on the original charger then it cannot be a battery problem but a problem with the Nitecore charger. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZN Posted September 30, 2022 Share #4 Posted September 30, 2022 I have the same batteries and have been charging them for four years using the relevant Nitecore charger. No problems for at least a dozen cycles for each battery. Have you checked to see that the USB power to the Nitecore is sufficient? 20W should do it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
frame-it Posted September 30, 2022 Share #5 Posted September 30, 2022 9 minutes ago, AZN said: Have you checked to see that the USB power to the Nitecore is sufficient? +1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bherman01545 Posted September 30, 2022 Author Share #6 Posted September 30, 2022 Same. Barging block that I’ve always used. In the past, I’ve been able to use the Apple, Tether Tools AC/DC charging block of USB port from my computer. I’ve also used a Nitecore charging adapter. Still same issue. The charger isn’t the issue. I’ve never encountered this issue before. That’s why I’m thinking that either Leica may have chipped the batteries or the charger is defective. My batteries are dated 2022. Thanks -Brad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
frame-it Posted September 30, 2022 Share #7 Posted September 30, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) 15 minutes ago, bherman01545 said: Same. Barging block that I’ve always used. In the past, I’ve been able to use the Apple, Tether Tools AC/DC charging block of USB port from my computer. I’ve also used a Nitecore charging adapter. Still same issue. The charger isn’t the issue. I’ve never encountered this issue before. That’s why I’m thinking that either Leica may have chipped the batteries or the charger is defective. My batteries are dated 2022. Thanks -Brad the older batteries didnt have dates, just a code if i remember correctly..so now they started adding dates? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bherman01545 Posted September 30, 2022 Author Share #8 Posted September 30, 2022 The date code that I’m referring to is on the outer battery box 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simone_DF Posted September 30, 2022 Share #9 Posted September 30, 2022 4 hours ago, bherman01545 said: Do they have some sort of chip of protection to prohibit the use of third-party chargers or is the Nitecore charger defective? The protection chip is unnlikely, considering you can just grab your smartphone, tablet or laptop charger and charge the SL2 battery via the USB-C port. I had the Nitecore for a few days and used it no problem with multiple batteries. Maybe yours is defective? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bherman01545 Posted September 30, 2022 Author Share #10 Posted September 30, 2022 Thanks. Perhaps. All batteries (for of them) work with the Leica BC-SCL4 Leica charger, but none work with the Nitecore charger. Strange?? -Brad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coral Palm Posted September 30, 2022 Share #11 Posted September 30, 2022 My money is must be a fault with the charger, I actually just finished charging 2 batteries with the Nitecore charger a little while ago--never have had an issue with it. As long as enough juice is going to the charger it should work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted October 1, 2022 Share #12 Posted October 1, 2022 +1 no issues at all with the Nitecore charger for SL2 & SL2-S batteries. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bherman01545 Posted October 1, 2022 Author Share #13 Posted October 1, 2022 Ordering another Nitecore ULSL charger. Will let you all know the outcome. Thanks for all your feedback! -Brad 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickyB Posted March 15, 2023 Share #14 Posted March 15, 2023 On 10/1/2022 at 10:26 PM, bherman01545 said: Ordering another Nitecore ULSL charger. Will let you all know the outcome. Thanks for all your feedback! -Brad Hey Brad! interested to know what the outcome was?! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBB Posted March 15, 2023 Share #15 Posted March 15, 2023 On 10/1/2022 at 9:14 AM, michali said: +1 no issues at all with the Nitecore charger for SL2 & SL2-S batteries. so do i Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bherman01545 Posted March 15, 2023 Author Share #16 Posted March 15, 2023 8 hours ago, NickyB said: Hey Brad! interested to know what the outcome was?! The charger was defective, but since it bought it from a dealer in HK, (along with other Leica lenses) Nitecore USA wouldn't honor the warranty. I took pictures of the issue and the HK dealer refunded me the cost of the charger. -Brad 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristofferpaulsen Posted March 20, 2023 Share #17 Posted March 20, 2023 For what it's worth.. I'm very hesitant to use off brand chargers these days. I had a USB powered one back in my canon years, and it degraded the batteries fairly significantly. Be wary. (I haven't tried the Nitecores, but for $280 a pop for batteries, I just buy more of them so I don't have to charge out in the field.. worst case I'll use a powerbank plugged into the SL2 and charge via usb) 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidmknoble Posted March 22, 2023 Share #18 Posted March 22, 2023 On 3/19/2023 at 8:14 PM, Kristofferpaulsen said: For what it's worth.. I'm very hesitant to use off brand chargers these days. I had a USB powered one back in my canon years, and it degraded the batteries fairly significantly. Be wary. (I haven't tried the Nitecores, but for $280 a pop for batteries, I just buy more of them so I don't have to charge out in the field.. worst case I'll use a powerbank plugged into the SL2 and charge via usb) I have used the nitecore on both SL2 batteries and M10 batteries. The benefit was two small chargers which I used with an Apple plug (that doubled to charge my iPhone). For traveling it is great. The one drawback is that a new battery must be first fully charged with a leica charger or it shows an error. Otherwise, I have had good success and I have some SL batteries from 2018 still charging well on the nitecore. I like that it gives some level of health. The problem seems to be hit or miss on the chargers. Mine work, so I’ve kept them… Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristofferpaulsen Posted March 28, 2023 Share #19 Posted March 28, 2023 On 3/22/2023 at 9:26 PM, davidmknoble said: I have used the nitecore on both SL2 batteries and M10 batteries. The benefit was two small chargers which I used with an Apple plug (that doubled to charge my iPhone). For traveling it is great. The one drawback is that a new battery must be first fully charged with a leica charger or it shows an error. Otherwise, I have had good success and I have some SL batteries from 2018 still charging well on the nitecore. I like that it gives some level of health. The problem seems to be hit or miss on the chargers. Mine work, so I’ve kept them… that's great to hear.. thank you!! they do look like an attractive option Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristofferpaulsen Posted March 28, 2023 Share #20 Posted March 28, 2023 On 3/22/2023 at 9:26 PM, davidmknoble said: I have used the nitecore on both SL2 batteries and M10 batteries. The benefit was two small chargers which I used with an Apple plug (that doubled to charge my iPhone). For traveling it is great. The one drawback is that a new battery must be first fully charged with a leica charger or it shows an error. Otherwise, I have had good success and I have some SL batteries from 2018 still charging well on the nitecore. I like that it gives some level of health. The problem seems to be hit or miss on the chargers. Mine work, so I’ve kept them… if anyone's interested in my OTT mobile charging solution.. I recently bought an Ecoflow River Pro, which I leave charging in my car, and I have a leica charger going while I travel around. Works great. (obviously a teensy bit bigger than the option we're talking about here..) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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