battery indicator problem

[tbsiegel]

I started to get an error message whenever I shot a picture with my new S2; however, neither battery indicator showed a low battery. I changed the double A batteries and things worked again, but I wonder why the indicators didn't show low battery.

:confused:

[BobMc]

I also started getting "ERR" when trying to make a shot. The battery indicators show full batteries for both sets although I was using the original batteries. I changed to a new set of NiMH and it started working normally again. I don't have much confidence in the indicators.

[SSonnentag]

I experience the same thing, but instead of changing the batteries I simply released the AA battery pack, rolled the batteries around with my fingers and slipped the pack back into the camera. After that it started working again. Bad battery contact? Maybe.

Shawn

[Tom V]

I just used my camera this afternoon without problem. I read this post and checked my batt indicators. Full. I took 4 pictures with a 105mm micro (focusing very close, so the focus motor got a workout), and the camera stopped working. I JUST LOOKED at the battery indicator and it said full. I turned the camera off, waited a few seconds and turned it on. The batt indicator said low (little bar in icon), then the camera turned itself off. Therefore it is possible to go from full to empty in less than 1 minute.

The AA indicator on the back LCD indicated full a minute ago, but now it shows that the batts have to be replaced.

The indicators don't work like gas tank gauges. They work more like rolling a golf ball across the green and off a cliff. Level and then gone. Full Full Full Full Full Full Empty.

[teski]

Ya...I had the same thing the last time my AAs went out. This seems to be a common thing among S2 owners.

[SSonnentag]

The AA battery level sensor in the S2 is designed to work with Alkaline batteries. Alkaline batteries have a more linear discharge rate than NiMH batteries. The NiMH discharge curve is more flat with a sharp drop off near the end of the charge.

Here, this image should make it simple to understand. I'm a visual person. :)

[BobMc]

I was using the original alkaline batteries when I experienced the problem, I also turned the camera on and off multiple times and the indicator always showed full. Is anyone seeing the indicators working as expected?

BobMc

[teski]

Mine did show 1 piece of the indicator off when my original AA batteries were dying, but then it was a very fast track to dead camera after that, so while the chart is very interesting, I'd have to say my experience was the same as everyone is reporting.

Teski

[teski]

Now that I think back, the meter did drop faster with the NiMh than the Alkalines.

[Topngu]

If you have S2,get couple set NiMH at least 1700 mah & up
(it's last longer) i been used these type bat for 10 years &
find no problem.Some time i discharge them completd then
recharge again.On S2 i don't recomment take 2 CR123 out
and only use AA (only emergency) Is there any S2 user use
Quantum bat ? becareful you may blow out...if you use
universal plug...ex: Radio shack sell these type plug...can
you tell me which one is + pol. or - pol.... and you in wrong
polarity here go for $500 repair!:o(....how can insert one of
smiles icon in this text?)
The bat icon show up only the bat drop bellow certain voltage
your bat is good but may be don't have good contact...there for
your intermitten using.
Batteries is your firing power so be smart dont run out Bullets!

[Topngu]

If you have S2,get couple set NiMH at least 1700 mah & up
(it's last longer) i been used these type bat for 10 years &
find no problem.Some time i discharge them completd then
recharge again.On S2 i don't recomment take 2 CR123 out
and only use AA (only emergency) Is there any S2 user use
Quantum bat ? becareful you may blow out...if you use
universal plug...ex: Radio shack sell these type plug...can
you tell me which one is + pol. or - pol.... and you in wrong
polarity here go for $500 repair!:o(....how can insert one of
smiles icon in this text?)
The bat icon show up only the bat drop bellow certain voltage
your bat is good but may be don't have good contact...there for
your intermitten using.
Batteries is your firing power so be smart dont run out Bullets!

[PauHana]

I will have to weigh in on the bad battery indicator - mine showed a bar or two yet I received an error message. Changed the batteries, woked fine. I have seen the chart on battery discharge (the one that SSonnentag nicely provided) before, so that doesn't surprise me. However having an accurate meter would be nice. My solution was to get the Quantum battery. This has its own "gas gauge". There are some concerns of this external battery damaging the S2 so I called Fuji and they confirmed the possibility of this happening. I was told that Fuji & Quantum are testing it together and the results would be available the week of October 8 and to call back then. I'll let everyone know at that time.

[Topngu]

Some how if you can find a set bat about 4.6 - 4.8 volt then you
see bat icon show up...
and LCD use up bat very quick...unless you have Quantum...
or else...