SB800 Battery questions.

[pippin88]

I got an SB800 recently and have 6 NIMH batteries and a 4 battery charger.

I've been using it in the 5 battery config, but now doing my first recharge after running down the batteries, I've come to some questions.

My charger only charges 2 or 4 batteries at once. This means that I'd have to charge a full battery with an empty one. That sounds like a problem to me, is it? Or is there some way to safely discharge a full NIMH, so that I can charge both empty?

I've been thinking about getting 2 more batteries and using it in the 4 battery config and just having 2 sets. How much slower does it recharge when not using the 5th battery? I'll be using the flash mainly for macro stuff, which usually doesn't require full power (I don't think) and can sometimes be slow shooting, sometimes bursts.

Also, where can I get those little battery storage things that hold 4 batteries. I think I've seen people with them at a Mini Meet.

Cheers,
Nick

[Glen]

Nick, fairly useless answer here, but we cant tell if it is good to charge a full and empty battery together as that is a charger dependent question, not flash dependent. My charger can do that, not sure if your's can. It sounds like it is could be a cheaper model (because of the config) so I doubt it. For a $100 or less Jaycar will sell you a charger which can charge in any config. Or get 10 batteries, only four more to buy

The recycle times are in the manual, don't have mine with me right now. Good luck

[pippin88]

Yeah, it was a cheap charger from Birddog. $36 for charger and 4 batteries, couldn't afford more at the time.

Might grab two more sets of batteries, do 3 charges rather than 2 is not much effort.

[johndec]

Nick,

A few possible solutions:

- Buy a charger that charges individual batteries, I got one some time ago for under $50 off ebay.

- Check with Birdy if the charger he sells charges individually. At $36 with 4 2500mah batteries, it's a steal.

- Find a kids toy that uses 1 AA battery and use it to discharge the 6th battery

Edit: scratch option 2

[birddog114]

I have the Sanyo charger (similar with the one sold to member) with ability to charge 4 batteries/ time and I have 6 sets of 5 rechargeable batteries. I don't need the charger with ten batteries, try to lift your ass up & do some excersises, replace the batteries after it was fully charged. I have totally 30 batteries, so I charged 7 times x 4 = 28, the rest of two batteries, I can charge them in the last charge.
The charger accepts the configuration of 4 & 2 batteries only.

[Paul]

Sorry to be off topic
Does anyone know where I can get a AA Battery storage case to hold either 5 or 10 batteries for my SB-800?
Tried google and e-ripoff but to no avail. (Would prefer an Aussie seller)
Looking for a plastic snap shut case(s), can be clear or colour cordinated if reqd.
I might try Coles or Wollworths tomorrow as they sometimes can surprise you with this sort of thing.
Any suggestions?

[birddog114]

Sorry to be off topic
Does anyone know where I can get a AA Battery storage case to hold either 5 or 10 batteries for my SB-800?
Tried google and e-ripoff but to no avail. (Would prefer an Aussie seller)
Looking for a plastic snap shut case(s), can be clear or colour cordinated if reqd.
I might try Coles or Wollworths tomorrow as they sometimes can surprise you with this sort of thing.
Any suggestions?

You should pick one up today when you visited me, a lowepro case, can have 4 CF cards in there too less than 20 bucks.

[pippin88]

I think I'll grab another 4 batteries and have 2 sets of 5.


Birddog:
How many batteries can it hold?

Are there pictures of it somewhere?

[birddog114]

Birddog:
How many batteries can it hold?

Are there pictures of it somewhere?

8 officially but you can put 10 as two set. and 4 x CF card

Just blind buying, under 20 bucks won't harm you.

[Onyx]

I have this problem too. I'm so in love with my Maha charger that I can't fathom replacing it with one capable of charging independently (it charges in pairs). I'm also too much in love with the idea of using the fifth cell to give it up (recycle times hurts).

Grab 4 more batteries. Two sets of 5 in use, charge the fifth cells from two batches together.

In my case, I have 4 sets of 4 matched cells. 1850, 2100, 2300 and 2500mAh. The fifth is always a different rated capacity to the other 4, so my charging discipline has to be closely monitored.

[embi]

I'm buying one of these Battery Chargers tomorrow.

Computer controlled charger will accept a combination up to 10 x 'AA' or 'AAA' cells and utilises a discharger to fully flatten the battery before charging and help minimise memory effects.

[stubbsy]

I think I'll grab another 4 batteries and have 2 sets of 5.


Birddog:
How many batteries can it hold?

Are there pictures of it somewhere?

Nick I have 10 batteries thus two sets of 5. Problem is that when the first 5 are flat you can recahrge 1 and you have 1 stays flat. Then you use the next 5 - same story. You then have 2 flat which can be recahrged together. BUT if you do this you have to remember that if the second 5 run out you can only use 4 to replace (no biggy, but it means you need to keep the 4 battery door piece with your kit so you can remove the add on bay)

[embi]

Are there pictures of it somewhere?

I am presuming this is the one birdy is referring to.

I have one and its great. Lowepro D-Res 6

[birddog114]

Are there pictures of it somewhere?

I am presuming this is the one birdy is referring to.

I have one and its great. Lowepro D-Res 6

Thanks embi, it's.
I don't want to show him the pic, under 20 bucks why should we worry too much.

[Greg B]

I have the Varta. The varta batteries charge in 15 mins. The charger will charge 1, 2, 3, or 4.

So with the five, do a charge of 2 and a charge of 3, all done in 30 mins. No problem. I have 16 batteries, 5 in the sb800, 5 standing by, 6 for using in other things.

Easy. I love the varta.

[birddog114]

I think I'll grab another 4 batteries and have 2 sets of 5.


Birddog:
How many batteries can it hold?

Are there pictures of it somewhere?

Nick I have 10 batteries thus two sets of 5. Problem is that when the first 5 are flat you can recahrge 1 and you have 1 stays flat. Then you use the next 5 - same story. You then have 2 flat which can be recahrged together. BUT if you do this you have to remember that if the second 5 run out you can only use 4 to replace (no biggy, but it means you need to keep the 4 battery door piece with your kit so you can remove the add on bay)

That why I have 6 sets of 5 for two SB800s and 01 x SD8A (6 batteries)

[embi]

......under 20 bucks why should we worry too much.

I agree....didnt see your previous post though

[spada]

Hi
There is a old model called RAYOVAC 1 hour charger, can charge any number up to 4 at a time, model PS4, you can charge one , or 2 or 3 or 4 it does fine, and quick too( about 1hour for 2400maH ).I bought it from Harvey Norman aprox 2 years ago.
Hope this help.

Regards
Spada

[moggy]

I'm buying one of these Battery Chargers tomorrow.

Computer controlled charger will accept a combination up to 10 x 'AA' or 'AAA' cells and utilises a discharger to fully flatten the battery before charging and help minimise memory effects.

You don't need a discharger if you're not using NiCd batteries, NiMh have no memory effect so don't require discharging before charging.

B0b.

[embi]

Yes but its handy to have a charger that can do it if needed...but I am getting this one more for the fact it can do 10 at once and individually

[Glen]

Embi, I went in to look at that model and they also have a model which pulse charges (similar to Onyx's Maha). The pulse charger is $99 and supposedly tops the batteries up further. I did notice a big difference between my previous $30 charger and it. I was getting about 2 weeks out of my cordless mouse, with the new charger it gets about 6 weeks. I don't think it actually tops them up 3 times as much, but obviously enough to keep them above the low battery warning notice for much longer. Worth alokk as you are in the shop anyway.

[embi]

So you got the pulse charger? I see it only does 4 batteries at a time though

[Glen]

Yes, didn't want to take the risk I wasn't fully charging the batteries. Does up to 4 at a time in any combo (1,2,3,4). Onyx was good enough to post some info at the time, do a search on Maha with author Onyx and hopefully there will be some links telling the benefit of pulse charging. Basically it gets closer to filling the batteries.

[pippin88]

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably buy 4 more batteries and use in two sets of 5, and that battery case.

[embi]

Embi, I went in to look at that model and they also have a model which pulse charges

I went into Jaycar today and bought the 10cell unit. On reading the destructions, I noticed in the Tech Data that it charges with a "250mA/h constant pulse current".

I wonder if that is the same as the other unit you bought

[Glen]

Probably the same, and cheaper from memory by about $30. Well done

[embi]

Yeah it was $70. Sorry to give you that news if its correct.

Anyone else know for sure?

[beetleboy]

Yup..

I bought the same one yesterday! 10 x 2400mAh Powercell AA's and the charger came to about $120..happy so far! Used the SB800 for 8 hours today doing some Annual Report photo's and it's still going strong!

Jaycar rocks the casbah! =]

Liam

[marcotrov]

Hi guys
Am interested in getting into rechargeable batteries and charger for both my SB600 and 800 and the D70. I'm looking at the jaycar
10 x Ni-Cad & Ni-MH Smart Battery Charger
and 10x AA POWERTECH 2400MAH NIPPLE
Is the difference between the 2000 and 2400 MAH worth the extra cash?
I'd appreciate any advice.
cheers
marco

[birddog114]

Hi guys
Am interested in getting into rechargeable batteries and charger for both my SB600 and 800 and the D70. I'm looking at the jaycar
10 x Ni-Cad & Ni-MH Smart Battery Charger
and 10x AA POWERTECH 2400MAH NIPPLE
Is the difference between the 2000 and 2400 MAH worth the extra cash?
I'd appreciate any advice.
cheers
marco

Marco,
Go for hte 2400mAH or 2500mAH, prices are not lot difference but they are worth to accompany with you SB600 + 800.

[marcotrov]

Thanks Birddog.
marco

[Onyx]

There are 3 traits of NiMH chargers:

* Fast charging rate
* Completeness of charge
* Gentle to batteries (ie. prolongs cell life)

Pick any two.

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-11.htm
^^ Dry read for those technically inclined.


Summary for those who are not:

* NiMH should be fast charged (full charge under ~3hrs) rather than slow (10hrs+ or overnight). It is near impossible to sucessfully charge NiMH cells slowly due to charge termination detection issues. In fact, slow charging is what causes 'memory effect' in NiCad cells.

* Overcharging is the quickest way to destroy your batteries.

* Select a charger with more than 1 termination type - rate of temperature increase, absolute temperature, zero (or negative) delta Voltage, or timer based. This is in case the charger fails for some reason to detect the a fully charged battery, it has other safeties in place to terminate.

* Do not leave NiMH cells on the charger for 2-3 days - even on "trickle charge". If you don't plan to use the batteries immediately after charge, top them up before use.

[DVEous]

... Obsolete ...

[embi]

I have the charger and its a great little unit. Its great being able to charge 10 in one go