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Experimental Canon BP511 Dummy Battery Interface

I ran across this site and project when looking at making an external battery pack for my old Canon Rebel 6.3mp. Batteries were dying and I had nothing to lose. Disassembly was as noted and condtruction of the new interface was quite easy.
I happened to have two 7.2V 3800mA battery packs lying around and the output snf close to 3 times for reserve worked great.
The only problem was when using the dummy pack in the camera, it would not turn on. Playing with a good pack and switching in the interface resulted in learning that there is a small switch that the battery door closes to allow power to run to the rest of the camera. Alternatives are to open up the camera and bypass this switch or somehow get it to clsoe. I am hoping to the pack with tyhe door off but I'm also leaning to cutting a notch in the door to protect the innards from extra dust and dirt.
Great idea overall

Mjww
Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:48:51 +0000

hello

what is between 'b' and 'd' cap?

lorand
Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:44:21 +0000

Very informatory site appreciate to develop such arduous work. I followed the instruction for making dummy BP511 for 300D and used different packs like six AA NIMH, six/Nicad and even maganisum AA but when the rebel D was switched on battery sign on the display fluctuate and camera automatically switched off and pressing the switch it on but again off. Voltage checked with digital meter around 7.60 and sometime 8 volt. Connection are as per advice. I may kindly be helped because in remote areas AA is easily available as to BP 511 is concerned.

m shabbir gill
Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:48:19 +0000

hello Mjww: I will appreciate if u convey experience of using this dummy battery with AA for a long shooting session like BP511. I was afraid to take risk because one of my friend has damaged board of 300D with this pack. What i understand BP511 has built in circuit which control the flow of voltage/supply to the machine. So my dummy was not successful to the above mentioned reasons and avoid to take risk. Thanks in advance.

m shabbir gill
Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:40:31 +0000

Nice site. Li-Ion cells also have a circuit to cut off power to the camera, else the Li-Ion cells would be damage. I think the typical cut-off voltage used per cell is 2.5 volts so this Li-Ion pack probably drain all the way down to 5 volts (and thuse the camera should run even down to that low voltage) before it shuts off.

Does anyone know how the camera monitors how much battery life is left?

Rick Thorne
Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:39:37 +0000

Don't be so quick to toss out the battery cells from your Canon BP battery packs.
The Li-0n cells outlast the internal control board by far.
Canon makes sure that these control modules burn out long before the batteries do.
I've used Canon cameras both still and video in my professional photography business for years.
I'll crack the case on the BP 511's and 911's and remove the control card all together, soldering the battery cells directly to the contact strips on the inside case.
You'll lose the battery indicator level function in you camera display most every time but that beats having the battery quit in the middle of an important shoot from a designed in failure mode designed to force the consumer to purchase more batteries.
If your BP battery dies split the case along the side seams with a rotary wheel on a dremel or similar rotary tool(I've used a razor knife or x-Acto 'tho that is a risky way to get cut.)
One the case is split in half lift up the control module that sits on top of the 2 cells and take a voltage reading with a VOM.
9 times out of 10 the batteries will still have plenty of charge. Just cut out the module and solder the batteries directly to the contact strips. They'll charge just like before and will work for many more cycles.
I usually get 4-5 years or around a 1,000 cycles out of a pack that way.
BTW, you can also get the Li-on cells from online suppliers dirt cheap.
Also I routinely buy my BP-590 and larger packs on ebay for as little as 4 bucks brand new.

Harold
Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:06:27 +0400

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Title: BP-511 battery modification
Weblog: Camera Hacker
Excerpt: Having lot's of trouble with batteries going flat so would like to have a go at modifying my BP-511 batteries. PROBLEM? Have to have the battery compartment closed for camera to operate! Any ideas? Look forward to your reply.
Tracked: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:51:21 +0000

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