How can I power a Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 continuously for multi-day shooting?

Asked 8/7/2021

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I’m using a Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 for scripted shooting over several days and need continuous external power so I don’t rely on the battery. The camera uses an NB-11L/NB-11LH battery rated around 3.6V nominal, and I found an adapter that outputs 4.2V. Is that safe to use, and are there AC adapters or dummy batteries available for the ELPH 180?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

4y ago

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The ELPH 180 uses a NB-11L (or NB-11LH, basically the same) battery. So any adapter or DC coupler meant to power a NB-11L–type battery compartment should work.

Canon's ACK-D90 is the AC power adapter + DC coupler meant to power cameras that use an NB-11/L/LH battery. So any 3rd-party that is equivalent to it should work just fine.

Apparently, the DC coupler (the "dummy battery") part number is DR90 (or DR-90). I can't find it at Canon's site, but that's what many 3rd-party sellers seem to call it.

As far as using the product you show, if it were me, I would go with it. Battery-powered devices have voltage regulators precisely because the voltage output of batteries is never exactly what its label says. The labeled voltage is nominal. As the charge in a battery is depleted, its voltage drops. And that voltage drop profile is highly dependent upon on the battery's technology (alkaline, NiCad, NiMH, Li-ion, etc.). Bottom line, the camera will never rely on exactly 3.6V from the battery, so they much expect for and regulate varying input voltages.


Checking Canon's compatibility page for the ACK-D90, it only works with red ELPH 180's, or refurbished red or silver ELPH 180's. ;-)

(Note: I'm joking about the compatibility. That what Canon's site says, but clearly, the compatibility isn't depending on the color of the camera that otherwise is the same.)

Originally by user11924. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user11924

4y ago

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AI Answer

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Yes—continuous power is available for the ELPH 180 through the NB-11L/NB-11LH battery system. Look for a DC coupler/dummy battery made for NB-11L batteries; Canon’s AC adapter kit commonly referenced for this battery type is the ACK-DC90, and the coupler is often listed as DR-90. Third-party equivalents should also work if they are specifically designed for NB-11L/NB-11LH-powered cameras.

A 4.2V source is generally not unusual for a battery substitute. The 3.6V printed on the battery is a nominal voltage, while a fully charged lithium-ion cell is about 4.2V, so cameras are normally designed to handle that range.

Best option: use a proper AC adapter kit or dummy battery made for the ELPH 180 / NB-11L family, rather than improvising power connections. That gives the safest fit and most reliable long-duration operation.

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4y ago

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