rick_dykstra Posted November 23, 2010 Author Share #101 Posted November 23, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've taken my two R8 Motor Drive batteries out of storage and put them to the charger. They were both showing no lights at all upon pressing the button, so completely flat. Here's what they did. - The first one, the one that I replaced the bq2010 battery gas gauge chip and the cells in, well, it finished charging and was showing only one light. It had 10.5V across terminals 2 and 3. I discharged it and recharged it another two times and it now shows two lights. From previous experience, if I keep cycling it it should come good with three lights. - The second one is an original condition battery I picked up second hand about a year ago. It hadn't been regularly used. After one charge it was showing one light but after only one more cycle it showed three lights and has 10.85V. But I think this one will need new cells - it doesn't hold a charge for very long. Fickle things these motor drive batteries - but so much easier to work with than the DMR batteries. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 23, 2010 Posted November 23, 2010 Hi rick_dykstra, Take a look here R8/9 Motor Drive - please measure the voltage output. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
urs0polar Posted May 7, 2011 Share #102 Posted May 7, 2011 I know that this is a VERY late reply, but I got an R8 recently and it's my favorite SLR EVER at this point. So, I got a motor drive off from KEH yesterday to replace/supplement my flawlessly working motor winder (perhaps I'm tempting fate?). It came with 2 batteries, the drive, and the charger, and a UK power cord/plug (I'm in NYC). I put the UK plug in a travel converter I have and it seems to work (then again, what do I know). Just saying this in the interest of full disclosure. I can't for the life of me find a motor drive charger instruction manual anywhere. I read somewhere that you are supposed to push the little red button to get it to discharge, then .... what? If someone could list out the actual sequence, that would be great. So, one of the batteries, when put into the charger, starts the blinking red light going immediately, pushing the little red button does nothing.... and after all night (10 hours), is still blinking. it had 2 LEDs lit at one point, but now it just has one. It measures 11.23V from terminal 2 to 4. It aslo measures full on the display on the back of the R8 and seems to crank away at Ch mode and whatnot. The other battery looks much newer, LED didn't light at all. So, I put it into the charger, and it started the red light immediately blinking (without me pushing the red button, though I then did push it for good measure, but no effect). After about 10 seconds, the red light went solid, then after 10 minutes the red light went off and the green light came on. 1 LED showing when I push the button on the battery. Full charge showing when I put it into the motor drive, and the drive seems to fire fine on Ch. Measures 10.99V from 2 to 4. Haven't put film in yet, but I imagine if I did it would work; mechanics seem to be fine. So, what is going on? If nothing else, can someone tell me how the charge sequence SHOULD work? Also, after reading this thread, I'm not that brave... I have a multimeter but I'm definitely out of my element on this one (I write software; I don't actually make things )... so if I need to have someone rebuild these packs, who do I contact? The worst part about all of this is that the ergonomics with the motor drive are so much better... if they weren't, I would just be happy with the motor winder and 2 cr123a batteries which seem to last FOREVER and are easily replaceable. Oh well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posto 6 Posted May 7, 2011 Share #103 Posted May 7, 2011 Urso, The batteries need to go through the charger cycle 4-5 times typically (press red button first) to get them working well after standing a long time. If they are still defective (unlikely) they are also easy to replace (see postings) if you unscrew the top of the battery. I got replacement cells from Ebay at a very good price for fitting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
urs0polar Posted May 7, 2011 Share #104 Posted May 7, 2011 Urso, The batteries need to go through the charger cycle 4-5 times typically (press red button first) to get them working well after standing a long time. If they are still defective (unlikely) they are also easy to replace (see postings) if you unscrew the top of the battery. I got replacement cells from Ebay at a very good price for fitting. Obrigado Posto 6! So, the battery that actually completes the charging cycle is in the charger again; we'll see if we get more than 10 minutes of charging this time. I'll run it through 4-5 times as you suggest. The other battery that just discharges (flashing light on the charger for hours and hours)... not sure what to do about that one other than see about replacing the cells. Thanks again! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyp Posted May 9, 2011 Share #105 Posted May 9, 2011 I've often wondered why Leica did not put a front mounted shutter release on the R8 winder. The older R winders had one, and was more comfortable, to me. Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
urs0polar Posted May 19, 2011 Share #106 Posted May 19, 2011 I've often wondered why Leica did not put a front mounted shutter release on the R8 winder.The older R winders had one, and was more comfortable, to me. Gary Garyp, my thoughts exactly!!! then we could at least use the winder and normal batteries... would be great. I finally found a good motor drive and 3 good batteries that I hope will last me... fingers crossed! thanks everyone for the help Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyR Posted March 2, 2012 Share #107 Posted March 2, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am in the U.S. and I have a battery pack that only lights one red light. I ran it through the charger five times already (I just bought it with a second charger and motor drive from B&H in New York.) Is there anyone, professional, who puts new batteries in a battery pack? One would think that some electronics expert could take the current packs and make Lith. AA battery packs that work. As a side note I have two Topcon battery packs that also need new batteries and would use him/them for that also. I may try the cross charge rejuvenating on the Topcon but I doubt that works on batteries other than NiCad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.