Q3 battery charging issues with old SCL-4 batteries

[wlaidlaw]

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Are any others having problems charging the older SCL-4 batteries on the latest SCL-6 charger?  They never seem to get to the green and orange lights steadily illuminated stage and although when in my Q3, they initially show a full charge, they fairly quickly lose one bar. In comparison to the SCL-6, where the battery charge indicator on the camera stays at full charge for a long time. Now my SCL-4 batteries are the same age as my SL601 bought on release day and have had a fair bit of use, often in hot to very hot countries and may well be a bit past their best. To ensure not getting stranded with a discharged battery and a dead battery, I have ordered a new SCL-6 from Park Cameras, which should arrive on Monday, the day after my return to the U.K.  I thought the extra 24v 10Ah battery for my mobility scooter was expensive at £499 until I saw the price for the far smaller SCL-6 at £150.

Wilson

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[dkCambridgeshire]

1 hour ago, wlaidlaw said:

Are any others having problems charging the older SCL-4 batteries on the latest SCL-6 charger?  They never seem to get to the green and orange lights steadily illuminated stage and although when in my Q3, they initially show a full charge, they fairly quickly lose one bar. In comparison to the SCL-6, where the battery charge indicator on the camera stays at full charge for a long time. Now my SCL-4 batteries are the same age as my SL601 bought on release day and have had a fair bit of use, often in hot to very hot countries and may well be a bit past their best. To ensure not getting stranded with a discharged battery and a dead battery, I have ordered a new SCL-6 from Park Cameras, which should arrive on Monday, the day after my return to the U.K.  I thought the extra 24v 10Ah battery for my mobility scooter was expensive at £499 until I saw the price for the far smaller SCL-6 at £150.

Wilson

Wilson, Leica camera batteries' prices always appear to be far too expensive. Given that other camera manufacturers' batteries, also outsourced from third party manufacturers / suppliers, are more reasonably priced, it's not surprising that Leica users question, "WHY?"  We are aware that all those in the supply chain need to include a reasonable % mark up, but the original battery likely does not cost a fortune to manufacture . A new car battery costs far less and shipping costs would be far more due to their weight. SCL-6 batteries' manufacturing cost (exclusive of design / development cost) is likely only a few $ – and even allowing for 100% mark up for the manufacturer, and Leica Camera AG, and the dealer, the retail price should / could be, a lot less. I have worked for two electronics companies and was amazed by components' and complete products', relatively small manufacturing costs.  

BW, dunk 

[wlaidlaw]

Dunk, 

I costed out my Kymco mobility scooter battery using a tool called Global Sources, where my sister used to be the editor and publisher. I used the best available 18650 3500 mAH cells, which are called “Tesla Spec”, a top quality battery management system (BMS) and allowed for CE and BS testing plus a specially moulded case and the maximum I could get to was $120 per unit against a U.K. selling price of £ 499, so it’s not just Leica ripping off their customers. 

Wilson

[idusidusi]

11 hours ago, wlaidlaw said:

Dunk, 

I costed out my Kymco mobility scooter battery using a tool called Global Sources, where my sister used to be the editor and publisher. I used the best available 18650 3500 mAH cells, which are called “Tesla Spec”, a top quality battery management system (BMS) and allowed for CE and BS testing plus a specially moulded case and the maximum I could get to was $120 per unit against a U.K. selling price of £ 499, so it’s not just Leica ripping off their customers. 

Wilson

England has a reputation as rip-off Britain, whether that is urban myth or not, there are many other examples...

[wlaidlaw]

As someone who lives half the year in the U.K. and half the year in France, my estimate is that for most things, France is a bit more expensive than the UK but not a lot in it. The Leica SCL-6 battery is pretty much the same price in Spain but the Leica dealer in Valencia is awaiting stock. 

Wilson