Charger FAQs

Chargers - Frequently Asked Questions

This section covers the issues that customers most often encounter. Unless stated otherwise it applies to both USB and mains chargers. These FAQs should answer most questions. If you need further help please contact us.

Why doesn't my battery fit?

Battery and camera names can easily be confused. For example, Sony has FW50 and FV50 batteries, Pentax DLi90 and DLi109, Panasonic BCG10E, BCE10, BCF10E and Samsung BP1030 and BP1310.  Panasonic, Sony and Canon have each produced around 30 different batteries for digital cameras and camcorders.  To add to the risk of confusion many cameras with very similar names require different batteries e.g. Lemix NB2L charger for Canon G7 but NB13L for the G7X.  In some cases, one charger will serve a number of batteries which may be from more than one manufacturer.

Lemix chargers are designed to serve the manufacturers original battery. In practice third party batteries nearly always fit but can be a little tight or lose as they may be slightly smaller or larger than the original. Be aware that there are many fake batteries on the market claiming to be from Canon, Nikon etc.

How can I check that I have the correct charger?

Some chargers serve a number of different batteries. The most popular battery served will be listed in three places

  1. A sticker on the front of the box.
  2. Beside the bar code on the side of the box
  3. On the charger itself.

If your battery is not listed in these locations check the listing on the product page of this website or on Amazon UK, France, Germany, Italy or Spain.   Note that 

Why will my battery not charge?

  1. Check the power source / try an alternative power source.
  2. Check that the positive and negative terminals on the battery align with the same terminals on the charger and are clean. Many batteries have an additional terminal that serves to transfer information to the camera.
  3. Mains chargers only - check that the rear plug is fully slotted into the rear of the charger. It only takes a fraction of a millimetre for the terminals to fail to connect. If this does not solve the problem, check that the plate on the front of the charger is fully slotted in.

    Why is charging taking longer than expected?

    Possible reasons applicable to both mains and USB chargers include a poor connection between the battery terminals and the charger terminals, and dirt or grease on the terminals.  Please refer to the section on ‘the battery does not charge’ regarding connections. 

    The maximum input used for charging Lemix USB chargers is 1 Amp at 5 volts. This is provided by many mains to USB chargers. A source capable of delivering more than 1 Amp will not charge the battery any faster.  A source delivering less than 1 Amp will, however, charge the battery more slowly. This is relevant to both mains to USB chargers where the output is shared by more than one appliance and to charging from computer.  USB3 delivers almost 1 Amp (900 mA) whereas the older USB2 delivers only 500 mA. Sometimes on a computer you will find that one USB source that does not deliver power but another does. 

    Why does my battery charge not last as long as expected?

    Camera use - A very large proportion of power is used by functions other than taking photographs. Screens, viewing images taken and transferring data using WiFi are all power hungry. Using flash also draws power.  Consider if your recent use of the camera has been typical to see if you can rule this out as the main factor. 

    Your battery may not have been fully charged - The battery may have become dislodged in the charger so that the terminals did not align correctly. The red light indicates charging whereas the green light indicates that the charger is connected to a power supply but is not delivering power to the battery. Please check that the battery and charger terminals are still aligned If you to move the charger after the battery has been inserted into the charger.

    Your battery may have become discharged - This can happen if the terminals are short circuited. If your battery came with a small plastic case use it. This protects the terminals from short circuiting and keeps them clean. A loose battery in a pocket with metal objects such as keys is inviting problems.

    Battery performance is poorer in low temperatures - This is especially the case when air temperatures drop below 00C.  If using a camera in these conditions aim to keep the battery as fully charged as is practicable and prevent it from becoming very cold by, for example, keeping the camera close to your body beneath winter clothing.

    Battery performance deteriorates with age - This is normally only a significant issue after a few years.

    Some batteries are not what they claim to be - The capacity is over stated on many third party batteries and there are many fake batteries on the market which are sold as Canon, Nikon etc. Be especially wary of small batteries with label capacities significantly higher than the original that came with the camera. It costs more to make a high capacity battery so overstating capacity can be profitable. If you want a genuine battery from the camera manufacturer be extremely careful where you buy it and be prepared to pay a high price.