Leica S3 battery charger half dead

[Einst_Stein]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

My Leica S3 charger 16050 is half dead. The AC power source does not work, the car power (cigarette lighter power) seems still working, but I didn't test complete through, because I was afraid it might cause further damage.

I was charging two batteries. I removed the first battery when it reached 80%. then I plugged the second battery. The charger flashed as usual but after a while it stopped. I removed the charger from the power. I felt the charger is very warm, not hot yet, but abnormally warm. After several trials, including some Leica forum suggestions hooking up the battery to the charger before hooking up the AC power, there is still no flashing. 

I am not sure if it is the flashing light problem or the charging problem. I wish it can still charge battery, but I can't confirm. I am also not sure if the second battery is healthy. Could the damage be caused by a bad battery? I wish I know how to test the battery.

Leica would not repair the charger.

Now I have several options:

1: Buy a new charger
2: Buy an AC adapter that has the same output plug as the original car power that came with it
3: Use the USB-C to Lemo cable to charge the battery through the camera

Anyone here has similar problem?
 

Edited June 14 by Einst_Stein

[John McMaster]

Chargers are not Leicas' strongpoint 😞  I have had 3 S dual chargers, 2 M9/Monochrom chargers, M(240) charger and now I think 1 (of my 3) S single battery chargers all stop working.

john

[davidmknoble]

On 6/14/2025 at 1:25 PM, Einst_Stein said:

Use the USB-C to Lemo cable to charge the battery through the camera

I was not aware this would work on the S3.  I searched the manual and could find no reference to this.  Does it work?

If it does, I still think it is more prudent not to stress the electronics in the camera.  Chargers can be replaced, the camera board at some point will not.

[Einst_Stein]

10 minutes ago, davidmknoble said:

I was not aware this would work on the S3.  I searched the manual and could find no reference to this.  Does it work?

If it does, I still think it is more prudent not to stress the electronics in the camera.  Chargers can be replaced, the camera board at some point will not.

Have not tried yet. Will be caucious.

[Einst_Stein]

5 hours ago, davidmknoble said:

I was not aware this would work on the S3.  I searched the manual and could find no reference to this.  Does it work?

If it does, I still think it is more prudent not to stress the electronics in the camera.  Chargers can be replaced, the camera board at some point will not.

You are right. In the Data Transfer section of S3 manual, it said the battery must be in place during data transfer, but if the battery is low, data transfer must be stoppped and dicsonnect the cable, then fully recharge the battery before resume. This implies the USB cable would not charge the battery. 

I would interprete that shooting in tether mode using the USC cable, it's better to use Leica supplied battery AC adapter (the fake battery) instead of a real battery.  

Edited June 17 by Einst_Stein