Another battery question

I was reading the thread started by Genny about battery life and the 5D Mkll and was suprised by the time some were getting out of their batteries in cold weather. I bought my 20D back in 2004 and purchased an extra BP-5llA at that time. This winter I seemed to be getting less and less time out of a battery before it went "dead" due to the cold. Yet, when I got home and put them back in the charger, they were full again in less than 2 minutes.

This morning, for example, I was out before sunrise. The temperature on the pier I was standing on was about +35F with a wind of about 5-10 mph. I wasn't taking very many shots (30 - 40)at that point, and it only took about an hour for the battery to die from the cold. I don't think I should have to resort to hand warmers at this temperature.

Could these original batteries be old enough to need replacing. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Ken

Yes, your batteries need to be replaced. They seem to have a lifespan of about three years before they stop holding a charge. The five years you got out of them is pretty good - they are extremely old by their standards.

I've had pretty good luck with CTA brand generics and they about $30 apiece.

That's what I was thinking, Dan. Thanks for confirming it.

Ken

I assume you mean 35 above zero? If so, that's not even cold. Battery should last all day. As for windspeed of 10 mph, wind has no affect at all on batteries.


Kent in SD

Battery should last all day.

Not if it's 4-5 years old. I'm actually surprised you got that much life out of it!
Mine go for about 3 years tops.