Nikon MB-D10 not really draining AA's

[aim54x]

I have just stumbled across an interesting situation. Approximately two weeks ago I loaded up my MB-D10 with a freshly charged set of Sanyo Eneloop AA's. Today when I went to use my D300 the batteries were flat. However not that I am using one of those amazing Maha C9000 charger analysers I decided to discharge the batteries before recharging again...and to my dismay they have been sitting there discharging for almost 2hrs with 900+ mah having been drained out of them....something is not right here.

I dug out a multimeter and checked the voltages on all of the remaining 4 cells (not in the c9000 atm) and they all ready a nice 1.32V...indicating a fully charged eneloop, not a flat one.

I am using Firmware 1.10 (both A and B) and my MB-D10 is set as the first used battery source on my D300.

Anyone else using AAs in their MB-D10? Anyone else had batteries in their MB-D10 that didnt seem to last the distance??

I have loaded up my MB-D10 with another set of 8 AAs, this time my aging cheap INCA 2700s (all charged to approx 1800mah according to the C9000) and have taken out the EN-EL3e out of the D300 and will have a look as to how long these last.

[Matt. K]

Hi Cameron
I often use Eneloops in mine without problems. You might have a bad connection or something.

[chrisk]

Hi Cameron
I often use Eneloops in mine without problems. You might have a bad connection or something.

x2 have used eneloops and powerex in mine no probs.

[photomarcs]

what on earth dude, LOL if it's the batteries, RA to Raleru LOL WIN

[aim54x]

Thanks Matt K. and Rooz

I'm really hoping this is a one off thing and that it is something stupid like a battery in the wrong way or something...but fingers crossed that is it not something more sinister.

CPF is really rubbing off on me, using a multimeter to check battery voltages...i just found out that a fully charged EN-EL3e is 8.34V straight off the charger.

what on earth dude, LOL if it's the batteries, RA to Raleru LOL WIN

I dont think it is the batteries...they are reading nice voltages (which means they are healthy)

[chrisk]

RA to Raleru LOL WIN

CPF is really rubbing off on me

wtf are you 2 on about ?

[photomarcs]

RA to Raleru LOL WIN

CPF is really rubbing off on me

wtf are you 2 on about ?

haha i dont get the CPF, but the RA to Raleru is like return policy kinda thing LOL

[aim54x]

RA to Raleru LOL WIN

CPF is really rubbing off on me

wtf are you 2 on about ?

Sorry Rooz.....

CPF = candlepowerforums - a forum for torch junkies and a great resource if you are looking to get a torch that is non-wolfeyes or looking for battery information (sadly not much on camera batteries)

RA = Return Authority....you need to get this to return stock to a wholesaler if a) faulty, b) not ordered...etc

RALERU = Camera House HQ/warehouse (a source of Sanyo Eneloop batteries)

[Mr Darcy]

I dont think it is the batteries...they are reading nice voltages (which means they are healthy)

Just checking the voltage of a cell is not enough to say that it is good. You really need to test it under load.
A cell can show full voltage, then die almost as soon as a load is applied (&recover when the load is removed!)

That said, I am inclined to think it is something other than the batteries.

Is there a setting in the camera to say whether you are using Alkalines, Lithium or NiMh? they each have their own discharge characteristics & a system expecting ALkalines will indicate flat batteries early if you are actually using NiMh.

[sirhc55]

I agree with Greg, you can only measure DC voltage under load

[Raskill]

Anyone else had batteries in their MB-D10 that didnt seem to last the distance??

I've had this happen.Several times. Genuine MB10 with 2400mAH Energizers. Run flat in hours. I dont use them now for any reason.

[aim54x]

I dont think it is the batteries...they are reading nice voltages (which means they are healthy)

Just checking the voltage of a cell is not enough to say that it is good. You really need to test it under load.
A cell can show full voltage, then die almost as soon as a load is applied (&recover when the load is removed!)

That said, I am inclined to think it is something other than the batteries.

Is there a setting in the camera to say whether you are using Alkalines, Lithium or NiMh? they each have their own discharge characteristics & a system expecting ALkalines will indicate flat batteries early if you are actually using NiMh.

DIscharging ~1700mah on the C9000 would indicate healthy, barely used Eneloops right? The second set measured 1.32V not under load (how do I test them under load?) so I am going to assume they will be holding 1700mah as well like the first set that went into the charger.

I do have the camera set to NiMh...which was the first thing i checked. I am hoping that it was something silly....esp if you remember my last adventures wtih Nikon Aust....

[digitor]

DIscharging ~1700mah on the C9000 would indicate healthy, barely used Eneloops right?

Indeed it would!

You should discharge the remaining four as well though, just in case you have one dodgy cell - that's all it would take! Also then you will have a complete set of data on the cells should Nikon Aust blame them for the fault.

Cheers

[who]

DIscharging ~1700mah on the C9000 would indicate healthy, barely used Eneloops right? The second set measured 1.32V not under load (how do I test them under load?)

Pretty good.

To put a load on them you would need to have - in parallel - a load on the battery when you test. Maybe a really small lightglobe suited to a 1.5V input voltage (most torch globes are at least 3v)......

If the globe burns normal - the battery is fine - if it dulls quickly, then there is only a surface charge or you have a faulty cell, and the DMM (digital multimeter) reading will indicate this.

That's how I'd do it..... on a 12V car system, I'm cruel and use headlights on high beam + spotlights if fitted...... that shows any problem up quick enough.

[aim54x]

Sorry I have not reported back on this earlier, but I did discharge the other set of Eneloops and found they too were at the same healthy 1700mAh range, so no bad cells.

Since then I have had a old set of INCA 2700 (holding ~1700mAh) in the grip and they seem to have held their charge although I have not used the camera since. I will be using the camera this weekend and will report bcak what I find.

[aim54x]

I have taken a few hundred photos so far this weekend on the camera and the batteries are still reading full so the mystery deepens!

[photomarcs]

I have taken a few hundred photos so far this weekend on the camera and the batteries are still reading full so the mystery deepens!

May I suggest sending it to Nikon? (Sarcasm included).

Nah, thanks for the update mate, hopefully its just a small issue.

[aim54x]

I have taken a few hundred photos so far this weekend on the camera and the batteries are still reading full so the mystery deepens!

May I suggest sending it to Nikon? (Sarcasm included).

Nah, thanks for the update mate, hopefully its just a small issue.

I actually think it was a once off thing...so I will see how it goes and keep testing it for now....*dreads Nikon Australia based on last experience*