Redvolt degradation.

[CK Olsen]

I Love my Epic Handheld config, but not digging my four brand new redvolts, as each charges no higher than 83%-88%, even when left on the charger for days straight.
The redvolt/sidehandle combo is an AWESOME lightweight combo, but having to switch batteries so rapidly really detracts from the the shooting experience.
Would love it if RED could explain and or provide information on this phenomenon... Because I REALLY don't understand what's going on.

[Sid Idris]

I Love my Epic Handheld config, but not digging my four brand new redvolts, as each charges no higher than 83%-88%, even when left on the charger for days straight.
The redvolt/sidehandle combo is an AWESOME lightweight combo, but having to switch batteries so rapidly really detracts from the the shooting experience.
Would love it if RED could explain and or provide information on this phenomenon... Because I REALLY don't understand what's going on.

I'm jealous. I'm down to 59% full charge. I wish there was a way to recondition them.

[Wes Machnikowski]

1 of my Redvolts stopped accepting charge after less than dozen times of use.
Second is never fully charge (80% max).
Sent to Red and after 2 weeks in evaluation process they want me to pay full price for new replacement plus shipping cost.
Apparently battery warranty is only valid for 90 days from the purchase date.
Obviously I couldn't use Redvolts for over 3 months waiting for DSMC side handle. Disappointing.
Better go with V-mount or Anton Bauer option instead of wasting money on unreliable Redvolts.

[Mike P.]

You don't want to fast charge them beyond that point, instead you trickle charge them up to their full capacity.

Does the travel charger automatically do this?So 12-cycles and REDvolts shiite the bed is the norm, or just a few of them have this issue?

[Sven Seynaeve]

have experienced the same problem. However, I really like them, but this is something that has to be looked at definately.

[Mike P.]

I read in the REDvolt manual that the Travel Charger times out after 105mins (regardless of if it's 100% or not) or if the heat gets too high. With that in mind, maybe your batteries are timing out and need to be reseated in the charger after they appear to have finished charging? Not much help, but worth a shot?

[BRANDON JAMESON]

My RED bricks give up the ghost at 39% and cant be re-celled........any thoughts on what one does with these very expensive toxic boxes after their prime time lifespan?

Anton Bauer's can be re-celled, perhaps RED can provide an authorized vendor who has genuine RED internal workings to bring new life to old cells.

[David Bourla]

My Redvolt only charges to 78%. Used maybe ten times?
Very sad to hear I'm not alone on this issue.

[Stephen Matthews]

I'm used to deep cycling lithium ion batteries but I read somewhere that with the Redvolts it's different, never let them hit 1% heck even 9%, I know this isn't ideal for those already dealing with restricted battery life. Another thing I was told was it's always good to top them off whenever possible the opposite of the old deep cycle where you only charged them once dead, I routinely place batteries back on the charger and as another poster said even putting them back on after a charge just to make sure they have been properly topped off. I have charged both my batteries numerous times far above 12 and they hit 90% and above routinely, can't give exact figures as I've been using time left instead of percentage recently, and I'm in the middle of a black shade right now, but I'm getting 30 plus minutes on each, so minus letting them go down to 0% it's around 25min's(at the very least), but I'm using a third party monitor with it's own batteries and for the most part manual lenses (not sure if those make any difference).

I find as with most things everything has it's quirks there is no such thing as true perfection, so as long as you take the time to learn how to treat your things properly they will treat you properly... for the most part

I find the limited battery life and limited record time (don't have enough redmags) helps me to work more efficiently and plan ahead rather than just shoot everything and deal with it in post, it's much more similar to the days of film and I like that, I'll take the good and leave the bad any day!

hope you guys figure it out, and keep on shooting!

edit: my standard practice is to charge immediately after or during a shoot until all are full, then before the next days shoot I throw them on again to ensure they are fully topped off, just checked and my charged battery is at 98% and 45 mins(oh and I can still top it off as well), while my other battery which needs it's top off is at 78%... edit 2: the one at 78% just hit 100% and 50 minutes record time left I think the key is not to leave the battery on the charger for days waiting for the trickle charge but rather once they hit green and cool down perhaps while charging an other battery, place them on the charger again and if it begins blinking orange you can charge it even more, don't ask me why, don't really care all I know is I can get them up to 100% one way or the other.... hope this helps!

[Will Keir]

agreed, dumb. Here's to hoping the RV see an upgrade soon, they are handy little batteries.

the REDvolts are never at 100% when "charged" Its horrible. And why does it seem to take longer to charge a small REDvolt, then a brick?