DSLRUsers.com

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

Methinks you have answered your own question John

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.

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.

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

Cheers
John

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

Glen wrote: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!

Glen wrote: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

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"

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

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

Glen wrote: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

Sony Website wrote: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.

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.