How long should batteries last?

[johnd]

Hi all,

A nice open ended question to start the day.

The issue is that I use the 2500mAh Energizer Rechargeables in my SB800s. I know these loose something like 3% of their charge per day, but lately the batteries won't even power up the SB800s a week after being fully charged. They recharge OK and I can use them the next day, although I feel the cycle time is increasing. The batteries are about 2 years old and have probably been recharged (guessing here) 50 times. Does it sound like they have just reached their use by date and should be binned? I will start to use Eneloops if I ditch these.

Cheers
John

[sirhc55]

Methinks you have answered your own question John

[the foto fanatic]

You might be able to improve their performance if you have a charger that can recondition the batteries. The Maha chargers are excellent for this reason.

If you don't have a sophisticated charger, then I'd flick the batteries and buy new ones.

Even so, also buying a better charger will give you longer battery life for your new batteries. Check out the servaas website - you'll get all the info you need there.

And, he is a forum member, and a sponsor of our current comp.

[aim54x]

I would probably flick those batteries and consider investing in a good charger. After all the positives that I have read about the MaHa on this forum makes me want to go out and get one, unfortunately it is something that I dont 'need' at the moment so it will come later on.

Eneloops are awesome, I have had a set sitting in my SB-800 and another in my SB-600 for months without use and found that they still worked for as long as a fresh set of Inca 2700MaH's (the other rechargables that I bought when I first got my flashes). I would have no problems recommending the Eneloops to you, or look at the Imedion's from Jeff as well.

[johnd]

Thanks for the feedback guys. The Energizers go in the bin.

Cheers
John

[Glen]

John, spot on - an open ended question! 100% agree with Trevor.

I would PM or email Jeff at http://servaas.com.au/index.php and get some Imedion or similar. Just out of interest why did you suggest Eneloops? There are also a few details on the front page.

What sort of charger are you using? If it is a timer unit they cook them. As stated by Trevor, the Wizard One (the present prize on the front page) can recondition them but after 2 yrs of cooking, maybe not. I have posted a charger comparison http://wolfeyes.com.au/news/?p=8 and the start of 3 AA battery comparisons http://wolfeyes.com.au/news/?p=6 with further parts http://wolfeyes.com.au/news/?p=9 and http://wolfeyes.com.au/news/?p=25

[aim54x]

I have posted a charger comparison http://wolfeyes.com.au/news/?p=8 and the start of 3 AA battery comparisons http://wolfeyes.com.au/news/?p=6 with further parts http://wolfeyes.com.au/news/?p=9 and http://wolfeyes.com.au/news/?p=25

These were an awesome read, very, very informative. Helped make my decision to go to Eneloops when I needed more rechargeables - they were there in the shop!

[johnd]

What sort of charger are you using? If it is a timer unit they cook them.

Hi Glen,

the charger I use is an "Energizer" charger that came with the "Energizer" batteries. I assumed the two were completely compatible as they were sold as a package. I don't know if this is a timer unit or not, but I have noticed the batteries are almost too hot to touch after charging though. I guess that's what you mean by cooking them. I'll check out your charger comparisons before I get a new charger/batteries and look into the ones Jeff has.

The reason I use Eneloops as well is that I bought 2 sets of Eneloops some time ago as my backup batteries - when I find the Energizers are flat. Needless to say, the Eneloops have been geting used quite a bit lately.


Thanks for the info.

Cheers
John

[Glen]

Hi John,
With my new found knowledge of chargers, that is a cooker! Probably worth what you paid for it - zip. I have given mine like that away, they wreck your batteries. I wouldn't put the Eneloops in it anymore as you will cook them too. Those chargers work by a timer method, as you can imagine a quick recharge after say 100 shots doesn't need the same charge as when dead flat. A good charger knows that, the timer ones give them the same time no matter what and wreck the batteries. Jeff from Servaas told me a good saying "most rechargeables don't die, they are tortured to death"

[aim54x]

Sorry to hijack this thread. I think I will have to go home and check my Inca and that Sony charger that I have and work out if they are cookers or not. What should I look for as a sign of a timer-type vs a microprocessor-type??

The new version of the Inca that I have is supposedly a microprocessor controlled.
http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod2789.htm

Cheers

[Glen]

Hi Cameron, the new one you linked is clearly not a cooker, it has Delta v cut off which is the smarts. See if you can find the specs of the old model somewhere and check. Cheers

[aim54x]

Hi Cameron, the new one you linked is clearly not a cooker, it has Delta v cut off which is the smarts. See if you can find the specs of the old model somewhere and check. Cheers

Adeal website is a POS (Piece Of SHIT). I think I still have the packaging somewhere at home. I'll check.

The Sony is however a cooker!! good thing I dont use it.
http://www.sony.com.au/catalog/product.jsp?categoryId=23866

Built-in Auto Cut-Off function is a safety timer feature which prevents overheating during the charging process and switches the charger off after 7 hours.

[who]

Or keep the old for remote controls etc - they will handle that alright.

And if you buy the Maha C9000 charger - great gear - you can cycle the batteries and try to recover some capacity in them too if you want to play around

Or else just charge them , sit them for a bit then do a discharge, that will tell you what their real capacity is.