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Battery Care and InformationUpdated 7 hours ago

Properly using and caring for your FJ batteries can help prolong their lifespan and performance. This article discusses different steps to help your batteries last during a shoot and over time. 

Charging

Recharge Before 25%

  • Recharging the FJ battery before it reaches 25% can prolong its life.

Optimal Charging Temperature

  • Avoid charging when the battery is below 10ºC/50ºF, as the chemistry in the battery is less efficient at lower temperatures.

Avoid Overheating

  • Hot Lithium Polymer batteries don’t take a charge well (100ºF/37ºC and higher). Continued overheating of your FJ units will reduce the battery's life and functionality (frames per charge). Allow the batteries to cool after use before charging. If your FJ unit nears or reaches OH (overheating) status, allow additional cooling time. For the FJ400, you can use the AC power adapter to help cool the battery for several minutes before powering off the unit for the remainder of the charge.

Storage

Avoid Long-term Full Charge

  • Lithium Polymer batteries should not be stored long-term with a full charge, as the chemistry can cause them to expand and may render them unusable.

  • Optimal Storage Level

    • Longer-term storage levels between 50% and 75% are suggested. Lithium Polymer batteries lose less than 1% of their charge each month when stored. Recharge to 50%~75% capacity at least every 3 months when not being used. 

Usage

Avoid Full Depletion

  • Lithium Polymers do not have a memory effect, so you should never fully deplete them as with Ni-Cad batteries. Westcott's FJ system has built-in protection to prevent total discharge when in use. If stored long-term after significant use and discharge, the remaining protective charge can dissipate, damaging the battery's ability to recharge.

Longevity During a Session: 

  • Lower the screen brightness 
    • Set the screen brightness to the lowest possible setting that still allows you to see what you need to see. With the FJ400 and FJ200, most of your control will be through the attached trigger, and seeing the strobes LCD may not be a necessity in your shooting situation. 
  • Power off the flash when not in use for an extended time
    • Even with auto-off features, power off your flashes if you know you will not be photographing for 30 minutes or more. 
  • Minimize the use of the modeling lamp 
    • The modeling lamp can cut down the number of flashes when not using AC power and can create heat possibly causing your unit to engage its overheating safety features, slowing down performance. 
  • Use the flashes within normal sync speeds 
    • HSS (High-Speed Sync) requires multiple rapid flashes at higher power levels and adds heat, both depleting battery life at a faster pace.
  • Use Manual power settings
    • TTL adds a pre-flash which has a minimal effect on battery life.
    • Use lower power levels whenever possible and raise your ISO. This adjustment can help you maintain consistent lighting without running out of power too quickly.
  • Use AC power when possible
    • Many Westcott flash unites can be charged while in use.
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