Trail Camera Battery Choice
Equipment
Contributors to this thread:
Going to run new trail cameras this year that run on eight AA batteries. My old cameras all ran on C cell batteries. Probably overthinking this, but... What brand of AA battery is best in your opinion, or does it not really matter? I have used Energizer, Duracell, and Ray-O-Vac in the past and never really kept up with battery life; just replace batteries when extremely low. I am in Alabama so extended periods of extreme cold are not an issue. Not interested in rechargeable batteries. What say you Bowsite?
Browning and others recommend lithium batteries. Cheapest I’ve found is at Walmart. They are more expensive but last WAY longer than regular so cheaper in the long run. Also browning will tell you that conventional batteries will creat a microscopic coating on your contacts. After time that camera will stop working. If you take strong Isopropyl alcohol, 90%, on a rag and clean contacts off, the camera will work again. You will need a long needle nose pliers to reach in there.
I normally run Energizer alkaline in my cameras, they are non-cell cameras. Life is very good for me. Last year I put duracell batteries in two cameras and they were out till mid to late march. Both sets leaked. I never had that with the energizer. A few weeks back I call a WCO in Ny state to chat about a few rules on a particular piece of land that I got a permit to hunt and asked if I could run tail cams. Well the answer was yes and we got chatting about cams. I told him about the battery leak I got and he say the same time happened to him with the duracell. When dead, cold they leak????
Anyone else see or find this??
Least expensive option I've settled on is Energizer Ultimate Lithium, due to the extreme life. Significant cost savings over copper tops for me. Also more convenient in that they rarely need to be changed. Ebay is by far the cheapest source I've found, as long as you patiently hunt for a bargain price.
I've also had a lot of leakage with Duracell batteries
I've also had a lot of leakage with Duracell batteries compared to Energizer batteries.
My hot and cold weather experience says go with the lithiums and get them on EBay. Normal AA's seem to peter out quicker when it gets real cold. Lithiums hold up better when it's cold. You should be able to get them for under 90 cents each there. Just verify the battery date is current stock and do not buy loose ones. A neighbor and I buy them by the 200 to 300's. We can negotiate with a seller for a quantity discount price and split the cost.
I posted this somewhere but I forgot about a trail cam by a treestand. I found it over a year later. Still taking photos (3800+). Energizer Lithiums.
The photos were interesting watching a tiny fawn grow up and lose it's spots. At least I thought it was the same fawn.
Thanks guys... I put cameras out in June and the batteries usually last until the following spring, but thought I would ask about battery preference. Glad I did: definitely won't be using Duracell.
I get over a year with Energizer Lithiums. And it's a long cold winter here in northern WI.
OP says he's in Alabama. The cheapest 'bulk' pack batteries will work fine in Alabama. He don't need lithiums. Avoid rechargeables wherever you are.
I 'm done with batteries.
Copy & Paste: https://www.amazon.com/WingHome-Battery-Rechargeable-Waterproof-Accessory/dp/B087QFT9DW?pd_rd_w=ZNC7x&pf_rd_p=d93af0ec-0925-424f-adfe-bd7170a550eb&pf_rd_r=VE5X2ANTJJC29AQG89KD&pd_rd_r=ec15c434-ec3b-4778-b27c-c7666c821b7d&pd_rd_wg=rU5zu&pd_rd_i=B087QFT9DW&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_rp_8_i
I purchased these solar panels for all my cams are 100% since the last week in April with a lot of pics taken from cell cams.
The mounting hardware is stout.
Extremely happy to have said goodbye to batteries
I run 30-40 a year. I use copper tops
And another who has had Duracell's leak. Usually very cold weather is involved. It has eaten a few flashlights in my truck over winter.
Energizer lithium, AA. They last much longer in all weather.
I have the Moultrie solar panels but don't use them. When they get snow on them....they're useless.
I used Energizer Max double A's all winter here in Colo and they worked great! If it's super cold the lithiums will likely last longer but for summer temps I don't think it's worth the extra money? I've had the same Energizer max in my game cams for the past 6 months and they are still kicking! Some trail cams likely eat up batteries quicker than others. Also, it likely depends on how many photos they are taking? If you are taking hundreds of pics at night they will likely use up batteries faster than the same daytime pics. I also use my camera to view pics instead of using the trail cam. My camera has rechargeable batteries so it saves battery life on my cams.
If you only have 1 or 2 cameras out it doesn't cost much more for lithiums. If you have 20 cameras out with lithiums it will be pretty expensive but possibly worth it depending upon your use.
Some guys have cameras set up that they can check from home so the longer batteries last and a guy doesn't have to drive several hundred miles to check and replace batteries on cameras the more $ and time savings.
Sticksender +2 Very long lasting, even in Michigan's cold winter weather.
I go between Duracell and Energizer Lith….
For those running lithiums in cell cams remember this. Lithiums run a constant voltage right up until they are dead. So your cell cam battery indicator will reed 100% or close even if the lithium batteries are close to dead.
I have read great things about the ultimate lithium batteries. I have not had good luck with them. Out of 16 I have used twelve were dead in three months. I got better life out of the old rechargeable batteries. I am now using energizer maxx.
Thanks Rocky... interesting read.
Lots a leaking with Duracell and will never buy them again. Energizer or Energizer lithium only for me.
Rechargeable batteries only have a 1.2 volt output each, whereas non-rechargeables have 1.5 volts output. So, in a built-in camera battery compartment that holds 8 AA batteries, you would only get 9.6 volts to operate electronic circuitry that was designed for 12 volts. I think most cameras have an alternate power source receptacle so you can run them with a larger battery. If the camera takes 8 AA or C batteries, it requires 12 volts and you can even power it with an automotive starting battery or a deep-cycle marine battery using a 2-conductor cord with the proper plug. A setup like that lasts a long, long time.
Kirkland AA. Nothing wrong with them, cheap
Interesting enough... I found a Copper Top AA leak in a TV remote last night. Always inside, never hot or cold. Ruined the remote. I'm done with Duracell.