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Are proprietary battery chargers universal?

LizardRanchLizardRanch Registered Users Posts: 53 Big grins
edited August 5, 2008 in Cameras
This relates to another thread I started where I'm looking to buy the perfect dSLR...

It turns out that most dSLR manufacturers are going the path of proprietary batteries rather than standard size (AA). I prefer AA for many reasons we won't get into, but one of the reasons is that there are a myriad of battery charges available that work with voltages other than US 110 volt. These chargers merely need a plug adapter to work with any reasonable voltage in most of the world. The version I have (Maha) also has an auto plug for use in a car, very nice. Since I am a traveler this is important to me.

My question is : Are the battery chargers provided by the major manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony...) for their dSLR proprietary batteries dual voltage (110/220) ?

If not, which ones don't work with 220?

Bonus Question : Do any of these contain an auto (12v) recharge plug?

I could research this, but this may take thousands of hours and cost hundreds of lives, when I can easily get the answer from Dgrinners. :D
- Sneaky Mike
http://LizardRanch.smugmug.com mike@lizardranch.com

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    ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 23,871 moderator
    edited August 5, 2008
    LizardRanch wrote:
    This relates to another thread I started where I'm looking to buy the perfect dSLR...

    It turns out that most dSLR manufacturers are going the path of proprietary batteries rather than standard size (AA). I prefer AA for many reasons we won't get into, but one of the reasons is that there are a myriad of battery charges available that work with voltages other than US 110 volt. These chargers merely need a plug adapter to work with any reasonable voltage in most of the world. The version I have (Maha) also has an auto plug for use in a car, very nice. Since I am a traveler this is important to me.

    My question is : Are the battery chargers provided by the major manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony...) for their dSLR proprietary batteries dual voltage (110/220) ?

    If not, which ones don't work with 220?

    Bonus Question : Do any of these contain an auto (12v) recharge plug?

    I could research this, but this may take thousands of hours and cost hundreds of lives, when I can easily get the answer from Dgrinners. :D

    A very qualified "yes", some chargers are dual voltage and I think different chargers may be supplied depending where in the world the camera was purchased.

    There is no universal standard and sometimes the model number of a camera changes depending on the region of the world. I presume part of this is to control which settings and accessories the particular kit gets.

    You can often get third-party chargers with dual-voltage and even DC charge capabilities.

    The truth is that there could be hundreds of answers to the question as you pose it, and the situation will change tomorrow.

    If it is a concern you can, and should, contact both manufacturers and vendors of the cameras you are interested in.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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    LizardRanchLizardRanch Registered Users Posts: 53 Big grins
    edited August 5, 2008
    ziggy53 wrote:
    A very qualified "yes", some chargers are dual voltage and I think different chargers may be supplied depending where in the world the camera was purchased....

    You can often get third-party chargers with dual-voltage and even DC charge capabilities.....

    Thanks Ziggy, that's what I was afraid of, the answer to the question is yes, no, maybe....

    I had really hoped the answer would be : Of course they all work with 110 and 220, what major manufacturer with world distribution wouldn't do this? I don't think you can buy a $20 hair dryer that doesn't work in either voltage, seems sad if a $1500+ camera won't.

    Where do you start shopping fo third party chargers? Are there really many available?

    Thanks,
    - Sneaky Mike
    http://LizardRanch.smugmug.com mike@lizardranch.com
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    ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 23,871 moderator
    edited August 5, 2008
    LizardRanch wrote:
    ...

    Where do you start shopping fo third party chargers? Are there really many available?

    Thanks,

    Once you know the model number of the battery you wish to charge, you can google for that model number plus the word "charger" and see what comes up.

    For instance, if I was convinced I needed a portable charger for the Canon 40D, I would look for the specifications on that camera's battery:

    http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%2B40D+%2Bbattery&btnG=Google+Search

    From that research I can see that the required battery is the BP-511A (which I knew to be true).

    Now I search for +"BP-511A" +charger +travel

    http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=%2B%22BP-511A%22+%2Bcharger+%2Btravel&btnG=Search

    With just a little searching I found a possibly suitable charger at Amazon:

    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000U92PHW/ref=nosim/httpstrateama-20

    ... and that charger is cheap and has good reviews.

    I also found this at Adorama (not quite as good reviews):

    http://www.adorama.com/PQRTC111.html

    A little searching at the B&H site gave me this:

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/399250-REG/Impact_CMBP511_CM_BP511_Mini_AC_DC_Battery.html

    (Good reviews)

    That's how I would do it. thumb.gif
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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