Rechargeables in flash?

[stsinner]

I use Energizer 2500mha, 2 sets spare.. Just stay the hell away from Ni-Cads-they are junk. The memory effect is the biggest buzz kill when you get to the point where you take 10 shots on a fresh set and they go dead.. Who has the time anymore to exercise the discipline needed to not incur the memory effect.

Just make sure you use Ni-mh.

 

[manaheim]

Old thread here, but hey... I SEARCHED! Someone mark it down on a calendar.

Question... how do these compare to the Lithium batteries I've been using now? Are they a decent alternative?

 

[manaheim]

Never mind, I just realized there was a page 2 and 3... durrr...

So I gather the Energizer 2700s are the way to go then?

 

[JerryPH]

Sorry boys, but an Ace High Royal Flush beats ya both.

http://pics4.city-data.com/cpicc/cfiles3248.jpg

The cost of them damn extension cords are killing me though. :lmao::lmao::lmao:

No way, cheating is not winning... thats not an ace but 5 aces. I'm not playing anymore until you roll up your sleeves.

Chris... yes if you can find them. I cannot find them locally, just the 2650s, which is close enough. I got my dad a set of Eneloops... because he uses his camera flashes 3 times a year. Those were a better choice for his needs.

 

[manaheim]

Ok, cool. Thanks, Jerry. I had my hands on a full setup a few days ago but decided to put them back and come check here before making the investment. (pricey!)

 

[JerryPH]

They're pricey here in Canada, but you can get 2700mah AA batteries for around $12 for 4 batteries from Thomas Distribution. Google their website for better info.

 

[table1349]

Never mind, I just realized there was a page 2 and 3... durrr...

So I gather the Energizer 2700s are the way to go then?

manaheim, the one thing I would suggest that you keep in mind would be how often you use them. If it is a lot then JerryPH is right on the money. If you are using them constantly then you will be paying attention to them constantly and keep them charged.

If, however you are like me and use them when the situation calls for, sometimes weeks apart, then you might want to consider the Sanyo Eneloops. SANYO eneloop | Ready to use Rechargeable Battery - The only battery you will ever need They are a hybrid that hold their charge for a long period of time. I have switched entirely to Eneloops for my flashes and have been very happy with them. They seem to last as long as the standard 2700mh's.

 

[JerryPH]

Yes, those are the ones that I bought for my dad. Basically, they hold like 75% of their charge for a year, which is pretty amazing.

What I have found is that the Energizer 2650mah ones (green casing, not silver) can be recharged and put away for about 2 months before they drop to about 30-35 % of their charge.

Being into strobism, I recharge all my batteries at least once every couple weeks and definitely once right before I go out on a shoot. I feel 2 months is ok with these kinds of batteries and that maybe 3 months would be pushing it a little but still ok.

From what I saw, the EneLoops are 2100's and they did not last as long as my 2650s. They were done by about 135 pics whereas the energizers were good for at least 400-450 pics. That number could be a little low for the Sony batteries... it was their first full charge and they may not have been conditioned yet.

 

[table1349]

Yes, those are the ones that I bought for my dad. Basically, they hold like 75% of their charge for a year, which is pretty amazing.

What I have found is that the Energizer 2650mah ones (green casing, not silver) can be recharged and put away for about 2 months before they drop to about 30-35 % of their charge.

Being into strobism, I recharge all my batteries at least once every couple weeks and definitely once right before I go out on a shoot. I feel 2 months is ok with these kinds of batteries and that maybe 3 months would be pushing it a little but still ok.

From what I saw, the EneLoops are 2100's and they did not last as long as my 2650s. They were done by about 135 pics whereas the energizers were good for at least 400-450 pics. That number could be a little low for the Sony batteries... it was their first full charge and they may not have been conditioned yet.

Wow, I am easily getting twice the number of shots with fully charged eneloops with my 580's during normal shoots. While I also do the strobist thing, most of the time it is during basketball/volleyball season and I have built some high capacity packs for the 4 strobes that I use then. That is why the eneloops suit me better as I just don't use them enough other time of the year to keep them charged. That is why I suggested it. A heavy user like you would be better suited to the 2700's or even small high capacity packs for every day use.

 

[Big Mike]

I've been pretty happy with my Energizers...I usually recharge them before I use them, so I know that they are going to be fresh. I would love to have a full set of Eneloops but I think I would still charge them up before a gig, just to be sure. (Unless I had an accurate way to measure their current charge level).

My concern now, is that I have a whole lot of devices around the house that need batteries and I don't want to be using disposables. Regular NiMH would be cheap and easy, but not the best option for most devices.

 

[manaheim]

I'm thinking what I may do is keep some Lithium batteries in the flash for cases where I have a "oh geez, I need a flash", and on the more usual occasion where I have some warning to plan ahead, I'll use the Energizers.

I also wonder, though... the energizer chargers say they can charge the batteries in 15 minutes. I can't imagine too many situations where I don't have 15 minutes warning or more before I wind up needing my flash. Granted, the fast charge kills the batteries faster (Energizer says you'll get 150 charges out of them instead of 300-500), but that's 150 times I didn't toss my batteries into a landfill, right?

I need to figure out if you can get slow trickle chargers for them, too. In my initial investigation I ONLY found the rapid charger.

 

[Photog38]

manaheim, the one thing I would suggest that you keep in mind would be how often you use them. If it is a lot then JerryPH is right on the money. If you are using them constantly then you will be paying attention to them constantly and keep them charged.

I am considering buying a flash, and one thing that I have been thinking about is what batteries I would use. Because I am a full time student, I would probably not use my flash heavily. Is it hard on the batteries to charge them, use them for a while, and the store them for a week or two before using them again? I am thinking of just buying the Energizer 2700 mAh (NiMh of course). My main concern is not so much how long they will hold a charge between uses, but how long they will last (that is, the lifespan of the batteries). Also, what is the best way to store the batteries between uses (full charge, half charge?). I just don't want to buy some batteries and then end up ruining them.

 

[Big Mike]

I need to figure out if you can get slow trickle chargers for them, too. In my initial investigation I ONLY found the rapid charger.

Absolutely, you can. There are some great chargers available that have all sorts of good features. I have the LaCrosse BC-900. It has a variable charge rate, it can also be set to drain the batteries fully before charging them (also variable) and it has a 'refresh' mode where it cycles the charge a few times. It also has a test mode, which can tell you the actual capacity of your batteries (they are often not as high as they are rated).

Even better would be the MAHA C-9000 charger which has a 'break-in' mode. This mode slowly forces a charge into the batteries...past what a normal charger would do. This forces them to use their full capacity. You can use this mode to give new life to batteries that have been used and abused for years. If you have a bunch of old NiMH rechargables that don't work well anymore...this charger can probably bring them back and thus pay for itself.

Is it hard on the batteries to charge them, use them for a while, and the store them for a week or two before using them again? I am thinking of just buying the Energizer 2700 mAh (NiMh of course). My main concern is not so much how long they will hold a charge between uses, but how long they will last (that is, the lifespan of the batteries). Also, what is the best way to store the batteries between uses (full charge, half charge?). I just don't want to buy some batteries and then end up ruining them.

Supposedly, these batteries do not have a memory...so it shouldn't matter at what level you store or charge them. But most people say that it's best to drain them fully and then charge them slowly, to get the longest life. If you are only using them once every couple of weeks...I wouldn't worry too much about it. They will probably last until you are out of school.

 

[Jaszek]

I Use Power2000 2900mAh in my 430EX and it lasts me for a lot of shots.

 

[manaheim]

Absolutely, you can. There are some great chargers available that have all sorts of good features. I have the LaCrosse BC-900. It has a variable charge rate, it can also be set to drain the batteries fully before charging them (also variable) and it has a 'refresh' mode where it cycles the charge a few times. It also has a test mode, which can tell you the actual capacity of your batteries (they are often not as high as they are rated).

Even better would be the MAHA C-9000 charger which has a 'break-in' mode. This mode slowly forces a charge into the batteries...past what a normal charger would do. This forces them to use their full capacity. You can use this mode to give new life to batteries that have been used and abused for years. If you have a bunch of old NiMH rechargables that don't work well anymore...this charger can probably bring them back and thus pay for itself.

Awesome, Mike, thanks. The thing is only $40... it's funny how when you spend $10 on just 4 batteries every month or so, how easy it is to justify spending even like $100 on this stuff.

So it looks like that would give me everything from slow to rapid charge as well, so I won't even need to buy the energizer charger.

I keep feeling like I'm making some huge mistake buying a brand of batteries I can just pick up in a Target, though... back in the day when I did this the only way to get rechargables that were any good was to go to a specialized web-based dealer and buy these snazzy ones... it's been a long time, though... is this just a thing of the past? Are the energizers ok? Or should I buy something else? These powerex ones, for example?