Camera with unreasonable battery life

[crampedson]

I have a HP photosmart M307 digital camera thats seems to like the notion of powering down due to the battery running out around 60 senconds after inserting a fully charged pair of 2300 mAh Ni-Hm batteries. The instructions say that it autodetects the battery type (Non-Rechargeable and Ni-Hm). I've stuck contacts into it to measure the voltage of the batteries while the camera is in use. It dies at 2.35v. I've even tried to modify a firmware file before updating to no avail (returns "HEX file format error"). What can be done? (Believe me, I didn't choose this camera)

[Ed W]

The charge profile of NiMH batteries are that they will maintain a fairly steady voltage, then drop dramatically when they're exhausted. A fully charged pair of batteries should deliver about 2.7-2.8 volts, so 2.35 seems low to me, even if they're under load. This is probably why the camera is prematurely shutting off.

How old are the batteries?

Also, what does the camera do when you stick a pair of heavy duty alkalines in it?

[crampedson]

The batteries are of "powertech" brand, are 2 months old (Camera did this when the batteries were new) and hold 2300mAh of charge. I've also used a fast smart charger from it. It can't be that bad, I bought the batteries and camera from Jaycar :) I put some Lithium non-rechargeables that came with the camera into it and they lasted for around 500 photos. Havn't tried alkalines as they can't handle 2.5 Amps without prematurely exausting.

[Ed W]

The batteries are of "powertech" brand, are 2 months old (Camera did this when the batteries were new) and hold 2300mAh of charge. I've also used a fast smart charger from it. It can't be that bad, I bought the batteries and camera from Jaycar :) I put some Lithium non-rechargeables that came with the camera into it and they lasted for around 500 photos. Havn't tried alkalines as they can't handle 2.5 Amps without prematurely exausting.
If the camera worked with lithium batteries, then it's likely that the NiMH batteries that you've got can't handle the load either. I'd suggest that you try a higher grade brand, like those Sanyo batteries that go into RC cars.

[dvdude]

Is it possible that one of the batteries may have shorted out whilst being stroed/transported about in amongst the others? I keep reading about the little plastic cases people say you should use to carry them in to prevent such shortages. When they short, they die very quickly, even though they charge ok. Can;t say it's ever happened to me though, and I tend to carry at least 3 sets of AAs around in the ppcket of my camera bag! :)

[crampedson]

No chance of a shortout. (unless you can short out a battery with only 2 in a pocket)