Action Camera Battery Application

Preserving Action Camera Battery Performance In Low Temperatures

In low-temperature environments, action camera batteries lose power quickly, lenses fog up, and machinery freezes. How do we solve these problems?

At present, the most widely used action camera battery is a lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries have the characteristics of high operating voltage, small size, lightweight, environmental protection, no memory effect, small self-discharge, and long cycle life. They are an ideal power source and also meet the needs of camera miniaturization.

The camera batteries we use are generally rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Its interior is composed of a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte dissolved in it. When the battery is discharged, the negative electrode precipitates lithium ions through a chemical reaction. Movement through the dielectric to the positive electrode. At this time, the positive electrode is in a lithium-rich state and the negative electrode is in a lithium-poor state. During the activity of lithium ions, the generated electrons move to form an electric current.

It is precisely because of this characteristic that if the temperature drops, it will inevitably affect the activity of electric ions. The movement of ions will slow down, less power will be emitted, and the discharge capacity of the camera battery will also decrease. Therefore, in low-temperature conditions, the battery life may be shortened. Back indoors, the temperature rises, the ions become active again, and the power slowly recovers.

The impact of low temperature on action cameras

1. Battery drains faster

The discharge performance of commonly used lithium batteries will be weakened at low temperatures and power consumption will be faster. If the temperature is too low, such as minus 40 degrees, it will completely stop working.

2. Thermal expansion and contraction

Due to the different expansion coefficients of glass lenses, metal bodies and plastic screens, the LCD screen may freeze and crack, or the LCD screen may be unable to zoom or focus.

3. Mechanical failure

The lubricating oil of the mechanical structure inside the camera and lens may freeze, causing the camera to become completely inoperable.

4. Water vapor solidifies

When you go from a warm room to a cold outdoors, due to the sudden low temperature, water vapor inside the camera and lens may condense or even freeze into ice, which may also cause damage to the camera.

How to protect your action camera in a low-temperature environment?

If you take your action camera to high-altitude areas, such as the North and South Pole, high-latitude continents, Western Asia, Canada and other places, you will face low temperatures below minus 40 degrees. Faced with the above challenges, how can you protect your camera?

1. Battery drains faster

Keep spare action camera batteries close to your body for rotation. Wrap the camera handle with just one layer of insulation to protect the battery compartment.

2. Lens fogging
Be careful when entering and exiting warm and cold environments, and it is best to have a sealed bag.

3. The LCD screen failed and the shutter cable froze.

In an environment of more than 40 degrees below zero, the LCD screen no longer works. But the camera can still work, which is equivalent to blind operation at this time. The shutter cable is frozen and hard, so be careful when handling it.

4. Mechanical parts frozen
In extreme temperatures, even a little moisture will freeze. But people are the biggest source of water vapor. When you are close to the camera for viewing, a little bit of water vapor can make the tripod head unable to work. Mechanical parts of the camera, such as the reflector, will also freeze. In this case, you can wear a protective cover for the camera to keep it warm.