Non genuine Canon batteries and laptops

[galileo]

Hi there, new to the forum, struggling to upload an avatar

 

Just thought I'd share my frustrating experience with when using non genuine Canon batteries.

I was experiencing pauses and lock ups with a cheap battery purchased on ebay for not much money. It took me a while to pin the problem down and when ran the camera on a/c or put the proper battery back in BYE performed perfectly again.

 

Not sure why this should be so? maybe the voltage output was inconsistent,  but the motto is don't cut corners when buying something that you rely on like a quality battery.

 

Look forward to using this forum.......David

[galileo]

Thank you Guylain,

 

It may also be worth mentioning, (although it's probably nothing new) that running the laptop just off it's battery has a very similar effect on performance for me, this may not be the same with all laptops.

 

I tried to do a short imaging run without plugging the lappy in and it couldn't cope with all the programs running, BYE, eqmod, Stellarium etc. All ran smoothly when plugged into mains supply again. 

 

Interesting to know if other people have experienced similar problems. 

[admin]

It could be that you have your hard disk (and/or laptop) set to go to sleep on battery and not when plugged in. 

 

If your hard disk (and/or laptop) goes to sleep the camera connection will be lost and some apps will freeze.

[astroman133]

I agree. There is something else going on.  The battery should run the computer or not, depending on it's ability to provide the necessary power.  Lack of power should cause the laptop to shutdown, not cause communications glitches or CPU overload.

[s3igell]

There are two Configuration Areas which impact the Operation of a Laptop running on Batteries vs Wall Power:  BIOS Settings and Windows Power Profiles.

 

Many Laptops come with Motherboard BIOS capable of managing the Performance and Shutdown of specific Components under different Power Situations (but this will be specific to the Brand/Model of your Laptop) - and unless you've previously Tweaked those Settings they should come from the Factory set to a "High Power" rather than "Conserve Power" Profile.  You'll need to research your Laptop Online Manual (non provide Books anymore) for additional details. BUT, this shouldn't be your first Concern.

 

Most Laptops also have a Button located somewhere around the Keyboard that either accesses Power Options or cycles through a list of predefined Power Plans.

 

All versions of Windows have a group of Settings related to Power / Performance that are Managed as "Power Profiles".  The exact number of Settings and How to Access Them changes by Version, but they can control such things as: CPU Clock Speed, How Long after User Activity that certain Components are Turned Off, What Happens when the Lid is Closed, etc.

 

If you have Win7, you access the Power Options by:  Select "Control Panel" from the Start Menu (or Right-clicking on Computer in Explorer then selecting "Open Control Panel" in the top Banner), then select "System and Security", then "Power Options". You should now have a Window open with "Power Plans" listed, showing both your Current / Default Power Plan and other predefined Power Plan choices.  Start by making a note of which Power Plan is currently Selected - you'll want to re-select this Plan for use after you are done with your AP Imaging Sessions.

 

(In Windows 8.1, you'll need to access these Options using a Walkthrough such as THIS as a Guide - but using the Settings suggested below.  Else if you are familiar with the Win8.1 Power Options already, you can simply select "Settings" from the Charms, and then "Power", and then work to follow the suggested settings below.)

 

To the Left, find "Create a Power Plan" (no need to upset the one that you've been using for your Laptop), and follow the Power Plan Setup Wizard.  Give this Plan a Name like "AP Imaging Battery", and start from "Balanced", then "Next".  Select settings for "Turn Off the Display" (I'd suggest 3-5 minutes - save Battery by Turning Off the Display when you're working at the Scope or walked away) and "Put Computer to Sleep" as NEVER.  Then CREATE your Plan.

Now you have a Power Plan to Tweak.  Start by selecting "Change Plan Settings" for this new Plan.  Then select "Change Advanced Power Settings".  Now you have a plethora of Power Setting to face down...

Walk your way down the list (not all are that pertinent).  

"Hard Disk: Turn off Hard Disk After:" should be set to zero (Never) or try 15 min (assumes you will never attempt 15min Exposures or even 10min ones and HDD will only Turn Off if you've walked away at the end of an Imaging Session).  

"Wireless Adapter Settings": unless you are using WiFi DURING your Imaging set to "Low Power Saving".  

"Sleep": set "Sleep After" to either "Never" or 15 min (using same rationale as for HDD); "Allow Hybrid Sleep" to ON; Hibernate after to either "Never" or 30 min; and "Allow Wake Timers" to ENABLE.

"USB Settings": set "USB Selective Suspend" setting to DISABLED.

"PCI Express": set "Link State Power Management" to OFF.

"Processor Power Management": set "Minimum Processor State" to 50%; "Maximum Processor State" to 100%; and "System Cooling Policy" to ACTIVE.

"Display": confirm "Turn Off Display After" is set as you selected above.

Now, Click APPLY, then OK.

Now...  It's time to Select your newly created Power Plan (ensure the Blue Radio Button is Selected for your Plan), and Close the Power Options Control Panel.

 

You may still need to Tweak the more Cosmetic of these Power Settings to your liking - LCD Display turning off sooner or longer, etc.  But this should have worked you past the issues of having your HDD or USB Ports turning OFF as part of your Laptop's Default Battery Saving Plan.

[galileo]

thanks for your comments all.

 

@Galactic Halo, thanks for your thorough reply, I have located the power plan and battery settings on my laptop and will endeavour to identify any settings issues that you have outlined and let you know how I get on.

 

I have run some more tests this evening and there is a definite drop in performance just on battery, it's sorted as soon as it's plugged in to a/c.

 

thank you again.

 

David

[s3igell]

The Name's "Seigell"  

The "Galactic Hero" is a handle that BYE Forum assigns based on number of "Points" (Posts + Likes + other stuff).

 

Just remember that my Suggestions are just that - Suggestions - and you need to only make the Changes that you are comfortable making...

 

Also, remember that Raw Performance isn't really necessary for BYE/BYN to handle your Imaging Session.  You DO need your USB Ports to remain Powered and Operating, although you can have your HDD Spin Down in between Images (it adds a short delay of about 0.5-1 sec per Image - if the HDD even Sleeps because of the other Log writes and Background Activity).  You rarely need Full CPU Capacity, as BYE/BYN just isn't a CPU Hog.

 

One other thing to consider:  Is your Guide Camera or any other Peripherals USB-Powered??  If so, consider a 12V Powered-Hub that you can plug in to your Power Pack/Jump Start/Deep Cycle Field Battery.  One less Significant Draw on on your Laptop Battery.

[galileo]

Apologies seigell, I'm not used to this forum yet.  understand now

[admin]

Welcome David,

 

Yes, non genuine batteries are not consistent... and sadly you found out the hard way

 

Welcome to the group

 

Regards,