An ink jet recording apparatus to which a power source is supplied from a battery and which executes the recording onto a recording sheet by using a recording head which discharges an ink from a discharge port comprises: a battery detector to detect run-down in battery capacity of the battery on the basis of a voltage of the battery; a capping device to cover the discharge port of the recording head; a load control circuit to apply a load to the battery for a predetermined period of time just before the capping device releases the covering of the discharge port of the recording head; a detection control circuit for allowing the battery detector to detect the voltage for the predetermined period of time; and a motor to relatively move the recording head and the recording sheet. The load control circuit applies the load to the battery by supplying the power source from the battery to the motor for the predetermined period of time.