Can I Mix Batteries In My D60's BG-ED3 Battery Grip?

Started Jul 30, 2002 | Discussions
Dan V New Member • Posts: 17
Can I Mix Batteries In My D60's BG-ED3 Battery Grip?

I recently purchased a couple of 1500 mAh AC-511 BP-511 lithium-ion batteries from the BatteryBarn to use in a new BG-ED3 battery grip that I just purchased for my Canon D60. I also have the original 1100 mAh Canon BP-511 lithium-ion battery that came with my new D60 and wondered if it could be used in the battery grip at the same time as one of the AC-511's even though they have different mAh ratings? Even if the 2 different batteries would operate together, could there be any ill side-effects to the camera, the pictures or either of the batteries?

-- hide signature --

Dan V

Jeff Wong Regular Member • Posts: 308
Been using the same combo with my D30 since last year...

and now on my D60 which I received 2 weeks ago. Seems to work just fine.

-Jeff

Dan V wrote:

I recently purchased a couple of 1500 mAh AC-511 BP-511 lithium-ion
batteries from the BatteryBarn to use in a new BG-ED3 battery grip
that I just purchased for my Canon D60. I also have the original
1100 mAh Canon BP-511 lithium-ion battery that came with my new D60
and wondered if it could be used in the battery grip at the same
time as one of the AC-511's even though they have different mAh
ratings? Even if the 2 different batteries would operate together,
could there be any ill side-effects to the camera, the pictures or
either of the batteries?

-- hide signature --

JeffW

Patrick Hayden Regular Member • Posts: 462
Re: Can I Mix Batteries In My D60's BG-ED3 Battery Grip?

Dan, Most electronic devices power supplies are wired with batteries in parallel or series, draining from all cells at the same time.

With this in mind, it’s my understanding that Canons design of the BG-ED3 drains from one battery then the second. I believe this was done to keep one battery from being drained by the other as ALL batteries a set life cycle.

I don’t think you will have any problems say one battery with 1000mha and another with 1700mha.

Dan V wrote:

I recently purchased a couple of 1500 mAh AC-511 BP-511 lithium-ion
batteries from the BatteryBarn to use in a new BG-ED3 battery grip
that I just purchased for my Canon D60. I also have the original
1100 mAh Canon BP-511 lithium-ion battery that came with my new D60
and wondered if it could be used in the battery grip at the same
time as one of the AC-511's even though they have different mAh
ratings? Even if the 2 different batteries would operate together,
could there be any ill side-effects to the camera, the pictures or
either of the batteries?

-- hide signature --

Patrick Hayden

IN THE FUTURE, THE REAL WILL BE ANALOG AND THE IDEAL DIGITAL

David's Digital Photography Contributing Member • Posts: 538
Re: Can I Mix Batteries In My D60's BG-ED3 Battery Grip?

Dan V wrote:

I recently purchased a couple of 1500 mAh AC-511 BP-511 lithium-ion
batteries from the BatteryBarn to use in a new BG-ED3 battery grip
that I just purchased for my Canon D60. I also have the original
1100 mAh Canon BP-511 lithium-ion battery that came with my new D60
and wondered if it could be used in the battery grip at the same
time as one of the AC-511's even though they have different mAh
ratings? Even if the 2 different batteries would operate together,
could there be any ill side-effects to the camera, the pictures or
either of the batteries?

-- hide signature --

Dan,

As mentioned before Canon designed the grip with dual batteries so that current is drained from only one pack until it near depleated and then it switches over to the other pack for extended shooting etc.

Capture the moment for all too soon it's gone!
David Smith, P&C

OP Dan V New Member • Posts: 17
Thanks for the Feedback...

I Can Now Mix Battery Types With Peace of Mind!

-- hide signature --

Dan V

Roy Regular Member • Posts: 385
Re: Can I Mix Batteries In My D60's BG-ED3 Battery Grip?

Not true. The Canon battery grip draws down first on the battery with the highest charge and then when level with the other draws on both batteries from that point onward. This was explained by Chuck Westfall on robgalbrath.com about a 1 1/2 years ago. If it were me I would stick to using identical batteries in the grip.

Roy

David Smith Photo & Computer wrote:

Dan V wrote:

I recently purchased a couple of 1500 mAh AC-511 BP-511 lithium-ion
batteries from the BatteryBarn to use in a new BG-ED3 battery grip
that I just purchased for my Canon D60. I also have the original
1100 mAh Canon BP-511 lithium-ion battery that came with my new D60
and wondered if it could be used in the battery grip at the same
time as one of the AC-511's even though they have different mAh
ratings? Even if the 2 different batteries would operate together,
could there be any ill side-effects to the camera, the pictures or
either of the batteries?

mongyong Regular Member • Posts: 150
Re: Can I Mix Batteries In My D60's BG-ED3 Battery Grip?

Even batteries with the same mAh ratings may not be manufactured accurately to the specified rating number. There are bound to be some + - to the exact value. Mixing batteries with different mAh should not be a problem.

Dan V wrote:

I recently purchased a couple of 1500 mAh AC-511 BP-511 lithium-ion
batteries from the BatteryBarn to use in a new BG-ED3 battery grip
that I just purchased for my Canon D60. I also have the original
1100 mAh Canon BP-511 lithium-ion battery that came with my new D60
and wondered if it could be used in the battery grip at the same
time as one of the AC-511's even though they have different mAh
ratings? Even if the 2 different batteries would operate together,
could there be any ill side-effects to the camera, the pictures or
either of the batteries?

Blinduzr Regular Member • Posts: 161
Re: Can I Mix Batteries In My D60's BG-ED3 Battery Grip?

Seconding this point ( I used to work in the electronics development business and knew about primary and secondary cells)..

As a cell ages its capacity changes (generally reduces) also it's discharge curve will slowly change shape.

When a battery is "discharged" is simply a point on the output voltage (discharge) curve where there is insufficient available voltage to run the target device at the requested current, the battery is not actually empty.

If the grip were not providing some sort of intelligent battery management the two cells would indeed discharge each other.

Even is you used all canon batteries you would have to buy two matched cells and use them together always to avoid having, effectively, two different capacity batteries.

Liam

Lau Mong Yong wrote:
Even batteries with the same mAh ratings may not be manufactured
accurately to the specified rating number. There are bound to be
some + - to the exact value. Mixing batteries with different mAh
should not be a problem.

Dan V wrote:

I recently purchased a couple of 1500 mAh AC-511 BP-511 lithium-ion
batteries from the BatteryBarn to use in a new BG-ED3 battery grip
that I just purchased for my Canon D60. I also have the original
1100 mAh Canon BP-511 lithium-ion battery that came with my new D60
and wondered if it could be used in the battery grip at the same
time as one of the AC-511's even though they have different mAh
ratings? Even if the 2 different batteries would operate together,
could there be any ill side-effects to the camera, the pictures or
either of the batteries?

pixseal
pixseal Veteran Member • Posts: 4,069
Re: Thanks for the Feedback...

Dan V wrote:

I Can Now Mix Battery Types With Peace of Mind!
--
Dan V

BTW, does your after-market battery fit easily in and out of the D60?
If so, what brand is it?
--
-Dave

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