This battery was purchased as a total replacement battery pack in a Wildgame Innovations (WGI) 1.3 MP strobe Game Camera under the Timberview brand name. See my review of that camera. This game cam used 4 "C" cell batteries. At best the batteries would last 6 weeks. After buying several packages of "C" cells, it was time to trim our battery cost.
The battery was quite a bit smaller than I expected. Out-of-the-box, this battery was charged (6.34 volts), but we topped it off before the battery was placed into service (7.30 volts). Furthermore, given the reserve capacity rating of this battery in comparison to the reserve capacity of an Alkaline "C" cell battery, we should get far more use time out of this battery. How much more? That can only be evaluated at a later date. As a side note -- WGI newest deer cam models have the capability of connecting a 6 volt battery pack, such as Amazons Wild Game Innovations External 6V Battery Pack. WGI uses a pair of batteries of comparable specifications to the UPG UB645 inside their battery pack.
I will update this posting as we monitor this battery's performance in the field. Preliminarily (2 days use), this battery is performing as expected.
The application this battery is now being used in, the size, being completely sealed from the elements and the current price, we are hard pressed to find fault with this purchase.
*****
9/2/2010 - Update
First field test with the deer cam over a 19 day time period in the woods and in wet conditions -- 237 pictures with approximately 85% being flash pictures. ALL flash pictures came out clear, no black pictures when the camera triggered and the battery couldn't supply enough power to charge the flash strobe. Voltage test in the field -- 5.99 volts under a minor load. We recharged the battery to 6.67 volts and placed this battery back into service with the deer cam in the woods. We are very pleased with this battery's performance.
*****
9/29/2010 - Update
28 days and 330 pictures (85% flash) in the field -- The camera was shut off when we retrieved it. The last 24 pictures were black, where the flash couldn't recharge due to the drop in battery voltage. The battery was drained down to 3.57 volts when it was brought back for recharging. After a slow 12 hour recharge, the battery was back up to 6.67 volts.
I cannot fault this battery. The drain came from the camera and the flash itself. Performance between "C" cell batteries and this one appear to be closely related with one major exception - the ability to recharge this battery, unlike the "C" cells that have to be replaced. We are going to monitor and recharge this battery more closely in the future. I'm disappointed in the prospect that this battery doesn't have the long term capacity to supply power to this deer camera over the long, cold Michigan winter.
*****
10/05/2010 - Final Update
We returned to this battery after 5 more days in the field. 150 pictures and all were perfect. The battery voltage was at 6.20 volts (80% flash pictures). Pulled the battery and recharged to 6.67 volts. One night, with overnight temperatures dropping to 22 degrees, we captured 250 flash pictures - all clear in full color. The battery voltage was at 6.0 volts. We recharged the battery and placed back into service.
We have now obtained a 9 volt solar panel charger for this battery. Our next trip up, this solar panel will be connected to our battery and camera. We anticipate this will give the battery a much needed boost in life over its long winter task.
In all, this battery performed as we expected. The cost savings in "C" cell battery's has now more than paid for itself.
*****
1/11/2011 -- Second battery
We have a second deer cam Wildgame Innovations IR5 5.0MP Digital Game Scouting Camera with Infrared Flash(see my review of this game cam) in the field now. It too is developing battery issues, especially with the flash at night. The batteries are "C" cell's and we are going through too many to be economically viable. So, just like its smaller cousin, we are hard wiring in this battery for increased performance and longevity in the field.
Buying a second similar battery for the very same purpose shows how happy we are with these batteries. The cost savings is also a big plus!
*****
7/2/2011 - Update
We purchased our third deer cam along with a third battery. The new camera is a 2011 S1.3X strobe deer camera with an external battery connection as sold by Amazon as Wildgame Innovations Game Scouting Camera with Video. Our first run with this new camera required the need for a higher power battery. Here it is.
All three batteries work great. All recharge fine and hold their charge for extended use. Even after hundreds of flash pictures every 30 seconds, all pictures come out. We couldn't be more pleased with these batteries performance. UPG UB645 Sealed Lead Acid Batteries
Good price for this battery that fits my portable inflater. The is really handy when camping & the battery lasted through one mattress, 2 inflatable kayaks, & a 10ft raft. Not bad for one charge.
Dr. Carl
Got a pair of these batteries for emergency power for a older short wave radio. Used a Deltran 021-0127 Battery 6-Volt charger to top the batteries up with a shop made wiring harness. Got everything working correctly. It wasn't but several days later we had the worst wind storm that took out power for 4 days. The radio, powered by just one of these batteries, operated continuously throughout the power outage. I know this wasn't a good test of the batteries capacity, but it proved it's worth operating a radio that is notorious for eating "D" cell batteries on a daily basis. Add a good 6 volt solar charger and one should be able to keep their SW comlink reciever going for quite a while with a pair of these batteries. - Coleman Lantern - Portable Power - Household Supplies - Lantern'
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