If you’re like most first time trail camera users, you’re at risk for being overwhelmed by the technology involved.  You spend countless hours researching and testing and just when you think you’ve got it figured out, you stumble across the subject of “batteries”.  It seems simple enough.  Pop a couple of Duracells in, and you’re done… Right?  Well, maybe.  I guess we would first have to ask, “Which type of Duracell batteries did you install?”  Standard alkalines, NiMh rechargeables or lithiums?  And, what kind of climate are you placing your cameras?  And, and, and…and it gets a little more complicated.

             So, lets talk about the three main types of batteries, their characteristics, and why you might want to use one type over another.

Alkaline



           Alkaline batteries are certainly the most widely available and least expensive, but are not without drawbacks.  Alkaline batteries are shipped with a power level of about 1.6 volts, but begin a steady decrease in power the instant they are inserted.  As time goes on, the voltage level continues to decrease proportionally to the time left in the field/number of photos taken.  This proportional decrease is especially evident when you examine night photos taken by infrared flash cameras.  Photos taken early in the life cycle of an alkaline battery are bright and well illuminated.  These early photos also represent the maximum flash range potential of the camera.  However, with every passing day each subsequent night photo will be less illuminated.  The process will continue up until the point where night photos are pitch black and/or the camera shuts off due to low voltage.   In addition, cold temperatures adversely affect alkaline batteries.  Battery life is diminished and alkalines lose up to half their capacity in sub-freezing weather. Finally, alkaline batteries are good for only 1 use and then find their way to the landfill. Most environmentally conscious people avoid the use of alkaline batteries whenever possible. 

              To summarize, alkaline batteries are cheap and available everywhere, but provide inconsistent power and don’t work well in the cold.


Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMh)



         NiMh rechargeable batteries were introduced as the successor to Nickel Cadmium (Ni-cad) rechargeable batteries.  As you may recall, Ni-cad batteries were widely criticized for developing “Memory”.  If Ni-cad batteries were used and not drained completely, they would often lose a portion of their capacity.  In contrast, once Nimh batteries have been conditioned (Fully discharged through 2-3 charging cycles) they can be charged at any point in the usage curve with no fear of memory development.  Fully charged, Nimh batteries produce about 1.4 volts.  However, they quickly decrease to a working level of 1.2 volts, which they are consistently able to deliver for the rest of the usage cycle.  However, the 1.2 working voltage does present a problem for use in some cameras.  Most cameras are designed around a 1.5 volt/cell scenario.  It is very common for a camera to use 4 batteries, or essentially a 6-volt system (4 X 1.5volts).  Most of these 6-volt systems constantly monitor the voltage and automatically shut the camera off when the voltage dips to around the 5-volt level.  With Nimh batteries providing just 1.2 volts/cell, they produce an aggregate voltage of only 4.8 volts.  This makes Nimh batteries incompatible with many of the cameras currently on the market.  On the positive side of things, Nimh bats are not affected by cold weather.  In addition, most batteries can be recharged and reused hundreds of times.  In fact, Nimh batteries usually pay for themselves in less than a year. 

            In summary, Nimh batteries are an excellent choice for use in colder climates provided they are compatible with your camera.  They also offer an environmentally conscious and cost effective alternative to disposable batteries.

            Game cameras that are compatible with NiMh rechargeable batteries include but are not limited to:  Reconyx game cameras, Scoutguard Trail Cameras, and Leaf River cameras.

Lithium



           Lithium batteries are relatively new, but offer some very interesting benefits.  To start, lithium batteries produce 1.8 volts/cell, or as we like to say “They run hot”.  Just as decreasing voltage produces weaker flash characteristics, increased voltage produces a stronger flash with brighter pictures.  We are noticing about a 10% increase in flash range when using lithium bats.  In addition, starting out with the higher 1.8 voltage is like installing an auxiliary gas tank in your vehicle.  Lithium batteries will increase the amount of time your camera can stay in the field.  Due to their chemical make up, lithiums are also not effected by cold weather.  One aspect of lithium batteries that can be interpreted differently is they are currently only available in AA’s.  For anyone who operates a “D cell” based camera, you’re out of luck.  However, if your trail camera requires “C” cells you can benefit from the extra voltage lithiums offer.  Fortunately, AA’s and C’s measure exactly the same from tip to tip.  Inserting “AA” lithiums into aftermarket sleeves brings the overall diameter up to that of a “C” cell and makes for a perfect substitution.  Another benefit of using the AA’s is they are substantially lighter, and take up far less space than the larger “C” cells.   If you’re backpacking in to change out several cameras this is very advantageous.  The downside is lithiums are quite a bit more expensive, and just like alkalines, they are also headed for the landfill after only 1 use.