External Batteries Documentation
User Manuals
Our V15 and V44 have an Always On mode that must be activated for use with our time lapse systems. The Always On mode keeps the battery's output active and is important to prevent the battery from automatically turning off when insufficient current is being drawn due to the camera being powered off between scheduled triggers.
Most of the USB battery packs on the market have an automatic power saving feature which turns off the battery if the battery is not constantly supplying power to a device. If the camera is powered off for more than a few minutes between triggers, the external battery pack might automatically shutdown due to inactivity. This standard automatic off power saving mode would result in the camera being unpowered, while the large battery pack still has lots of capacity remaining.
The V72 battery pack does not have an Always On mode operation.
| V15 Wh Battery | V44 Wh Battery | V72 Wh Battery |
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| Time Lapse Calculator | Guide To Connecting Multiple V15 Battery Packs |
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Videos
How to Enable 'Always On Mode' for V15 & V44 External Batteries
FAQ
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How long will the battery last before it is discharged?
It depends on many factors: the controller you are using, the camera you are using and the shooting schedule you have programmed. There are just too many variables to give an accurate answer.
In theory, the 4,000 mAH V15 battery combined with the standard GoPro 1,050 mAH battery will give you about 5 times the shooting time.
The 12,000 mAH V44 battery combined with the standard GoPro 1,050 mAH battery should give you more than 12 times the shooting time.
An analysis of the power consumption of the various GoPro cameras and an explanation of how to calculate the theoretical battery life is outlined on the GoPro Power Consumption page. Our Time Lapse Calculator page can be used to assist you in planning the interval times of your time lapse project.
How can I tell when the battery is in Always On mode? Change modes?
When in Always On mode and the battery is not charging, if you double tap the power button a few times, the LED should continue to stay lit. If the LED goes dark between every other double press, you are not in Always On mode. To switch modes, if you hold down the power button for at least six seconds and the charge indicator flashes 3 times and stays lit for a second or two, you are now in Always On mode. If you hold down the power button for at least six seconds and the charge indicator flashes 3 times and then goes dark, you are now in Auto Off mode.
If you are not in the desired mode. Press the button again for at least 6 seconds to change modes.
When not using the batteries, it is recommended that you switch back to Auto Off mode as Always On mode consumes a small amount of power even when there is no load. -
How long will the battery last before it is discharged?
It depends on many factors: the controller you are using, the camera you are using and the shooting schedule you have programmed. There are just too many variables to give an accurate answer.
In theory, the 4,000 mAH V15 battery combined with the standard GoPro 1,050 mAH battery will give you about 5 times the shooting time.
The 12,000 mAH V44 battery combined with the standard GoPro 1,050 mAH battery should give you more than 12 times the shooting time.
An analysis of the power consumption of the various GoPro cameras and an explanation of how to calculate the theoretical battery life is outlined on the GoPro Power Consumption page. Our Time Lapse Calculator page can be used to assist you in planning the interval times of your time lapse project.
How can I tell when the battery is in always on mode? Change modes?
When in Always On mode and the battery is not charging, if you double tap the power button a few times, the LED should continue to stay lit. If the LED goes dark between every other double press, you are not in Always On mode. To switch modes, if you hold down the power button for at least six seconds and the charge indicator flashes 3 times and stays lit for a second or two, you are now in Always On mode. If you hold down the power button for at least six seconds and the charge indicator flashes 3 times and then goes dark, you are now in Auto Off mode.
If you are not in the desired mode. Press the button again for at least 6 seconds to change modes.
When not using the batteries, it is recommended that you switch back to Auto Off mode as Always On mode consumes a small amount of power even when there is no load. -
How long will the battery last before it is discharged?
It depends on many factors: the controller you are using, the camera you are using and the shooting schedule you have programmed. There are just too many variables to give an accurate answer.
An analysis of the power consumption of the various GoPro cameras and an explanation of how to calculate the theoretical battery life is outlined on the GoPro Power Consumption page.
Has the V72 battery been used for long term projects?
The V72 battery stays on if sufficient power is being drawn. If the camera is powered from the V72 battery with no battery in the camera, the battery should not shut down and the camera can operate for long periods. In our tests, the HERO3+ Black operated for over 24 hours in video loop mode starting with a fully charged V72 battery.
With the WiFi turned on, even if the camera is off, sufficient power is drawn to keep the battery from shutting down. In this mode, the HERO3+ Black, with no battery in the battery compartment draws about 0.4 watts. So the camera can remain in standby mode with a WiFi connection for 150 hours.
One of our customers reported using the V72 battery with the BE-12V Battery Eliminator (discontinued) powering a HERO3 Black for a 24+ hour time lapse at one shot per 10 seconds using the GoPro Time Lapse function and no Intervalometer. The camera took 11,000 photos and used 33GB of SD card space.