Nikon D80 charger or battery problem

[Byff]

I've just returned from holiday where I lost the use of my D80 for half of it. The battery was fully charged at the start of the holiday, got some great pictures of Pompeii and the Stromboli volcano, but when it came to recharge the battery, I ran into problems.

It's not that old, probably out of warranty, but when first put on the charger, the charging light flashes for about 10 seconds, then lights solid as if completed.

I bought a replacement non-nikon battery and tried it in the camera first (I thought all batteries were sold fully charged) but it wouldn't power up. Thinking it had been sold uncharged, I tried it on the charger, where it flashes the light for about 5 seconds and then extinguishes completely.

I have never heard of a charger breaking and think it's more likey to be both batteries, but have I bought a duff battery or is the charger playing up?

BTW, I bought the replacement battery in Barcellona and left that port on a cruise so couldn't return to try another battery. Luckily, I had a little Olympus, but I wish I could have used the D80.

[Simpo Two]

That sounds pretty specific - I'd head for the D80 forum at www.nikonians.com where there's a much bigger audience and maybe someone's had the same problem.

I'd suspect the charger - do you know anyone nearby who has one to try?

[VxDuncan]

The D80 is fairly fussy about its batteries, specifically the EN-EL3e (or whatever the code is!) is chipped to provide battery state of charge and state of health monitoring. The clone batteries are reverse engineered to provide this, but are not perfect. I find occasionally the clone batteries will read 0% when they have but fully charged but not used for a few days. They normally work fine the rest of the time however. It's also possible the D80 isn't reading this info correctly. IIRC hidden in one of the menus there's an option to view battery health (ie how much long before it needs to be thrown away) as well as shots remaining. This may help. Failing that I'd be ordering a new clone battery and charger off ebay for about £15. I've got one that's great as it will work off mains or 12v therefore great for travelling.

[Simpo Two]

I had issues with generic EN-EL3e batteries in my D200; I didn't realise the D80 also used them. But even so, I assume your first battery is by Nikon, in which case it should work.

[Byff]

Just put the multimeter on the batteries. The first nikon battery reads 8.3V and the second non-nikon battery is 0V.

I guess that's why the second battery wont power the camera up. Now my dilema is: Do I have two duff batteries or one duff charger. Hopefully, the shop where I bought the camera will let me test a charger before I buy it, otherwise it's more cash down the drain.

I've bookmarked that nikon site - good site and loads of tips on it, very handy - cheers!

[Simpo Two]

Byff said:

I've bookmarked that nikon site - good site and loads of tips on it, very handy - cheers!

It can get a bit anoraky and they don't have much sense of humour, but it is handy for specific/technical enquiries when you just need facts without banter.

[Byff]

Turns out I had two duff batteries. Job's a good 'un

[Simpo Two]

A duff Nikon battery? Well that's a first time I've heard of such a thing - but at least the solution is simple

Nb If they are EN-EL3e I'd avoid the generics. Mine would be fine until about halfway used, then suddenly go dead. Rather worrying the first time it happens, but they were fine after a recharge, then did it again.