Powershot A430 NiMH battery problem

Hi,

A lady friend has a Powershot A430 Camera which tells her to replace
the batteries after 5 to 20 shots.

Default configuration of the camera is used.

Opening the battery cover and closing it again allows a further 5 to
20 shots.

The batteries show full capacity when tested externally.

The opening and closing of the battery cover can be repeated on the
same set of batteries for well over 200 shots (until I got sick of
testing).

The camera was returned to Canon shortly after purchase a year ago and
the battery cover switch was replaced.

The continued battery (or camera report) problem has continued for a
year. The lady is not a technical person.

Anyone experienced a similar camera problem?

I have logged a report with Canon.
I hope they can find a solution and fix the camera.

Gordy.

 

Many sets (4) of NiMH batteries have been tried and using two
different chargers.

Even after taking some 200 shots with the same set of batteries they
showed greater than 1.2 volts under a substantial load.

In fact after 40 to 50 shots the open circuit voltage of the batteries
showed about 1.39v (each) immediately after removing from the cmaera.

A fresh set of alkaline batteries were also tried recently and show
the same symptoms.

I have several Canon cameras myself and have never experienced
anything a bizarre as this.

This problem would happen when I bought the camera for my
sister-in-law who lives hundreds of km away :-(

Gordy