I have a scorpion digital capacitor,what is the best way to tell if its holding a charge, or do they need to be recharged from time to time?

If you are using rechargeable batteries, It could be that your camera's battery charger circuit is defective. If your camera is out of warranty, the cheap solution would be to buy an external charger. Another possibility is that a short circuit or defective electronic component is drawing excessive current and draining your batteries. If that is the case, you will need to have your camera repaired. Nikon USA Repair Depot's number is 1-800-645-6687 9AM-8PM EST, Monday to Friday. They will tell you how to return your camera for repair and they will give you a free estimate if it is out of warranty.

If the rechargeable battery is more than 3 - 4 years old then the battery could be worn out. Rechargeable batteries have a finite number of charge and discharge cycles and will lose their charge capacity over time, i.e. won't charge to 100% and gradually the charge reduces until the battery won't charge up at all. OR The battery shows a 100% charge but when the adapter is disconnected the battery drops off to zero capacity in a very short time. If the battery drops to an unacceptable charge level then the battery needs to be replaced. Rechargeable batteries will fail if stored in a discharged state for long periods.

in most of digital cameras there is a small rechargable battery or a capacitor bank used to store settings in memory for few minutes. if that battery is dead it cant hold settigns at memory.

If it is a NiCad or a NMh you should only charge it when it needs it. A lithium can remain on the charger. Your battery packor the bottom of the machine will have the marking of what kind of battery it is.

Rechargeable mobile devices can lose their ability to hold charge if they aren't charged properly. The best way to charge your device is to let the battery die all the way before recharging it. Overtime, when you repeatedly recharge your batter without doing so, it loses it's function. In addition, try keeping your brightness on low.

Try regular batteries and not rechargables . Recharge batteries not the best to hold charge.

Maybe you have to buy a new rechargable battery pack. I have had one before and for some reason it no longer charged well. It too would hold a charge for only a small period of time, definately not long enough to appease my daughter! :) Try giving vtech a call and see what they say. At the very least they can help you get a new pack. Here's the number! 1.800.521.2010 :)

You have to go for a rechargeable battery as duracell doesnt have enough current as the camera consumes more energy then a rechargeable battery has. go for uniross 2200 mha battery that is pretty cheap and best.

Yes rechargeables need replacing from time to time (after a few hundred charges) or every couple of years.
You can use standard rechargeables but these wont charge on the dock as there is a little switch in the battery bay which the kodak pack presses.
Standard AAs ar'nt recommended for digital cameras but you should get at least a few shots from a new set of alkalines (maybe not if they are cheapo no Alkaline)

There could be another problem with the camera but if you like the camera its probably worth giving a new pack a try.
If I remember rightly (but check as I don't have a 4530 to hand) the battery you want is a KAA2HR and are available on ebay cheaply if you cant find a low cost one locally

If I can be of further help drop me a line

Best of luck