Sony A100 Battery Problem

[LaserTam]

Just wondering whether anyone has any thoughts on this:

I think my battery for my A100 is knackered, but symptoms are - when in the charger, sometimes the charging light appears, sometimes not. When in the camera, battery indicator could show 'one bar' on the battery life indicator, then may jump to two bars.

It could be the charger, but I'm guessing its the battery. What do you think?

Camera is approaching 5 years old, original battery.

ETA- quick review shows about £60 for a replacement, seems pricey.

Edited by LaserTam on Friday 24th February 19:56

[XG332]

5 years is about right for a battery ATM. If your in no rush it's worth going to a photography retailer and ask them to check. Try a replacement battery and them to charge your battery.
They might not do this, but I used to if a customer asked.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

If the charging lamp is appearing / not appearing intermittenly whilst in the harger, I would suspect a connection problem between the two.

That migt also explain it's erratic behaviour in the camera - if it's not receiving a proper full charge because of an intermittent connection in the charger, that mayexplain why it performs strangely.

I had exactly what you describe with a mobile phone recently. I traced it to a dodgy connection where the charger cable goes into the plug.

Ok your charger doesn't have a lead, but I guess there are metal contacts on the battery and charger - I'd look there first. Can you bend them out a bit so they definitely engage properly? And give the contacts a clean with some cotton buds and solvent like lighter fluid.

HTH.

[sgrimshaw]

Buy a third party replacement battery.

I've used them for years, never had a problem.

[LaserTam]

Thanks chaps. No massive rush, so perhaps a trip to a decent shop is a good idea.

[CarMac]

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?c...

I've never had a problem with any of the compatible batteries I've bought for any of my cameras.