Introduction

Power your Olympus E-10 or E-20  with alkaline D cells!

sixbullets.com Electronic-Controlled Digital Camera Battery

Hundreds of exposures are now possible from a single D alkaline battery (8 cells) carried in a "fanny-pack" and an AA alkaline battery (4 cells)  installed in the camera.  This is made possible by utilizing exclusive integrated circuitry to "flatten" the sloping characteristic discharge curve, which until now has made alkaline battery technology totally unsuitable for the power-hungry demands of these high-end cameras.

Additional circuits perform a highly reliable battery load test on turn-on as well as real-time monitoring of power delivery to the camera.  Power regulation is precise, assuring safe operating parameters.  Designed and tested extensively by Allan I. Presser, B.A., M.A., Industrial Arts.

 Now is the time to consider alkaline technology:

• Replacement D cells commonly available worldwide

• No charging; no need to keep expensive spare rechargeables on hand for immediate substitution

• Shelf life measured in years; always ready with no self-discharge phenomenon

• Moderately priced consumables; exposures cost little more than a penny each

• All the weight carried on the waist, not on the camera

• Reasonably priced, complete, and carries an excellent warranty

• Simple to use; just install D cells, flip switch and plug into camera DC power input jack

Keep in mind that alkaline D cells pack a lot of energy:  The sixbullets.com battery extracts approximately the same amount of energy from each D cell as that carried by a .30-06 rifle bullet at the muzzle! This is made possible only by electronic conditioning; without the active electronics, not more than 10% of the battery's chemical energy would be usable to power the camera.

Other popular types have their advantages too, but keep in mind all rechargeable batteries lose some capacity to recharge with each and every charge-discharge cycle.  If you have had unsatisfactory results with rechargeable Ni-MH, Ni-Cd, or Lithium polymer types, then by all means consider this new alternative. 

Specifications

Operating Temperature:  32 - 105^o F

Electronic Complement:  4 Integrated Circuits, 1 Transistor

Battery Requirement:  8 "D" Alkaline Cells

Maximum Output Voltage (open circuit):  6.8v +/- 2%

Max. Output Current (short circuit):  2.5a, 30 sec. max.

Battery weight (empty/gross):  9.5 oz./50 oz.

Service Life (alkaline E-10 camera pack):  500 exposures*

Service Life (Ni-MH E-10 camera pack):  750 exposures*

*Click on this link to view test protocol

FAQ

Can pictures be taken using only the sixbullets.com battery without AA cells loaded in the camera?

No. The E-10 AA camera battery acts as buffer, conducting in parallel on transient current demands (as during focusing and file storage) which exceed the peak current available from the sixbullets.com battery.  During the rated life of the sixbullets.com battery, the power supplied by the E-10 is nominal up to 500 exposures, but essential to prevent the camera from self-powering down.

Why is the sixbullets.com battery rated 50% higher when Ni-MH cells are installed in the E-10?

Ni-MH cells operate at lower voltage than alkalines.  At the 500 exposure point, the output voltage of the sixbullets.com battery has dropped to a point where the E-10 would rapidly drain alkalines.  However, in the case of Ni-MH cells, picture taking can continue until the camera low-battery icon starts to flash in the control panel or monitor.

How do I know when to stop shooting before I run the risk of discharging the E-10 alkaline battery pack?

The estimated life of the sixbullets.com battery is 500 shots when using alkalines in the E-10.  A very good indicator of is the real-time power monitor LED lamp. Take a test exposure while observing the LED.  When it begins blinking out, even momentarily, when the camera focusing motor actuates or the image is being stored, it is a sure indication that the 8 D cells need to be replaced.

Will it do any harm to continue shooting until the E-10 alkaline battery pack is totally exhausted?

Not at all. The camera will continue to function for at least 100 shots and possibly more, once the point is reached where the LED starts to momentarily blink out during picture-taking.  Eventually the camera low-battery icon begins to blink, signaling the AA alkalines have reached the end of their useful life. It is actually possible to continue shooting until the camera turns itself off.  The total number of shots in bench testing exceeded 800 exposures before automatic power down!

After taking 500 shots with an alkaline E-10 battery pack, can I then substitute Ni-MH cells in the E-10 and continue shooting?

Indeed it is feasible to do so.  Hundreds of additional shots can be taken, further drawing down the sixbullets.com battery. Ni-MH cells allow the sixbullets.com battery to be discharged down to the level where its LED warns of low battery when switched on.  See the instructions for use section below.

Why not just use NiMH AA cells exclusively in the E-10 to take advantage of the excellent service life profile of the sixbullets.com battery and forgo altogether AA alkalines? 

Its a trade-off.  Fewer pictures with the E-10 alkaline pack in exchange for the freedom from the hassles associated with recharging, self-discharge phenomenon, "memory", and reduced capacity throughout the charge-discharge cycle of Ni-MH cells.  One never knows for sure just how much energy is in a recharged Ni-MH cell until it is placed into service. This is especially important when traveling, where the matchless reliability of alkalines is a necessity.  For around the house use, Ni-MH cells are very convenient; in fact, if only a couple of frames are expected to be taken, they can simply be used by themselves.

May I install high technology substitutes (NiCd, Ni-MH, Lithium, etc.) for the 8 D cells in the sixbullets.com electronic-controlled camera battery to improve its performance or lower operating costs?  How about low tech carbon-zinc cells?

No.  For reliability and safety, only alkaline technology cells must be used as replacements.  The sixbullets.com power supply has not been tested or approved for use with any rechargeable or high density battery.  

I do not seem able to achieve the battery service life specifications from my usage of the sixbullets.com (and/or E-10 battery pack).  What's wrong?

You pattern of usage likely differs significantly from the test protocol which was designed to mimic real-world conditions.  Excessive use of the sixbullets.com battery to power camera for slide shows, monitor view finding or playback, file downloading, etc. may adversely affect the number of exposures obtained.  Review the test protocol, instructions for use, and troubleshooting.

Because there are two batteries to deal with, sixbullets.com and the E-10 pack, is there difficulty in managing them differentially in terms of usage and condition?

After reading the instructions for use and the troubleshooting guide, one should have no trouble.  Each battery has its own diagnostic capability.  Both the sixbullets.com battery and the E-10 perform a state-of-charge test upon switch-on as well as real-time monitoring during operation.

What functions are provided by the LED indicator lamp on the sixbullets.com battery?

There are three functions. First, it serves as a pilot light.  When the battery on-off switch is off, the LED is off. When the on-off switch is on, the LED is on, unless the D cells are dead or incorrectly installed.  Second, on battery turn-on, the D cells undergo an automatic load test for two seconds.  If the cells are good, the LED lights up instantly on battery turn-on; if the cells are bad, the LED remains extinguished for two seconds, then lights (unless the cells are dead).  Third, when the battery is switched on and in use, it monitors the output voltage continuously and in real-time.  Whenever the sixbullets.com battery is supplying 100% of the power needs of the camera, the LED stays illuminated; whenever the internal AA E-10 battery pack is providing an assist, the LED blinks out during the assist interval.

Will a single E-10 battery pack last for the life of a set of 8 alkaline D cells in the sixbullets.com camera battery?

In the case of all alkalines, the rule of thumb answer is yes.  When a Ni-MH  battery is used in the E-10, there are many variables as a result, there may be a mismatch and the E-10 pack may have to be replaced with a back-up to continue drawing down the sixbullets.com battery.  Rest assured that the sixbullets.com battery, during its rated service life, will extend substantially any E-10 battery pack because it supplies 100% of the power demands of the camera during standby and monitor operation.

May I substitute a coiled power cord as a replacement for the twin conductor cable provided?

This is not recommended and will likely cause trouble.  In testing, a commercially available cord was found to have too much "pull", to produce too high a voltage drop, and its plug to make an intermittent connection at the power input jack of the E-10.  Do not substitute the sixbullets.com supplied cable or make any other modifications or perform any internal adjustments as doing so may impair performance or damage your equipment. 

Can the sixbullets.com battery be used as a power source for other than the E-10 or E-20 digital cameras?

It is compatible with any Olympus camera for which the a.c. adapter Model C-7AU is specified.  No claim is made for other applications.

How to Order

Click on thumbnail for detailed view.  Kit furnished as shown, less spare power cord (optional).  Waist pack style may vary.  Less D cells if shipped USPS (parcel post) due to Government regulations.  Price $17.95, shipping included at no extra cost.  Spare replacement cord $0.99 extra.  Payment by check or money order payable to sixbullets.com.  Please no credit card or C.O.D. requests.  U.S.A. mail order only.  Download, then print the mail order form (.pdf file) using your Adobe Acrobat Reader, by  clicking on this link:  sixbullets.com_ORDER_FORM

Terms of Sale: Method of shipping USPS, UPS, or FedEx at seller’s option. Signature of purchaser required at time of delivery. No credit cards accepted at this time. Purchaser will be notified and given option to cancel order if order cannot be shipped within 14 days upon receipt of order form. Please allow sufficient time for personal checks to clear bank. 30 days full refund with return of product if purchaser dissatisfied. 90 day free replacement of defective power cord. 1 year free service on parts and labor, D cells excluded. All times based upon date of receipt of product. Purchaser bears cost of shipping returned or defective goods and assumes responsibility for safe return of same to sixbullets.com. sixbullets.com not liable for product failure due to gross negligence or tampering with internal adjustments. City of Las Animas business license number: 400.

Instructions

Help

Disclaimer

sixbullets.com disclaims any and all liability for consequential damages of any kind whatsoever.  The liability of sixbullets.com is limited to the terms of sale as stated in the above section, How to Order.

sixbullets.com is a third-party supplier and not connected to Olympus America Inc., Olympus Optical Co., Ltd., or Olympus Optical Co. (Europa) Gmbh.

Contact

For inquiry regarding further product information, status of your order, warranty matters, and out-of-warranty repairs, contact Allan Presser at:

SIXBULLETS SUPPORT

or by telephone

(719) 456-2012