74images Loc: Los Angeles, California

Sorry You Got Hosed over that!

74images

lucianj

I had Energizers leak in my new Nissin Di622. It was just two months old and I had used it only once. I repaired it using a baking soda paste. But it's still a heartbreaker. Now I remove the batteries if I'm not going to use the flash within 24 hours.

Carusoswi

Gosh, I use rechargeables in most of my photo equipment, and most of those batteries are Duracell. The only time I remove my batteries is when they need recharging. I have seven flashes, some dating back to the mid-80's.
All have been stored in their cases with batteries installed.
I have three film cameras that can accept AA batteries in their grips. All are stored with batteries installed.
None of my equipment has ever been damaged by battery leakage. I use either Duracell or energizers, both rechargeable.
I'd go crazy if I had to unload all those batteries each time I used a piece of equipment.
Also, based on my experience, Duracells do not deserve the bad rap they are receiving from some of the posters here. None of my Duracells has ever leaked.
I wonder if the preponderance of posters here reporting leaks is just due to the thread topic and not a trend throughout the battery using populace. If it were, Duracell would be out of business. Just sayin'.
Caruso

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

Will wonders never cease? After my initial post and reading some of the great responses to it, I ordered a pack of Enerloops with a charger from Amazon. The next day, I happened to pick up the flash unit to make sure everything was fine for a coming event (later today, as a matter of fact,) and I noticed that it was not powering up with the fresh batteries I was putting in. I had stored it with the batteries out of it after cleaning it out and testing it last month, but now it was not working.

Bummer.

I really like that Speedlight and it's not exactly cheap. I looked on-line and it's around $340. I can get a refurb for $100 less. I logged in to Nikon and started preparing a service call for it. $149. Well, that's what I will do; I hate to throw away such a nice unit so I'll get it repaired.

Last night, the Enerloops arrived, and I had completely forgotten about them. I was going to send them back unopened, but decided to try them out. I could use them in something else like a mouse or other gadgets I have.

I pulled out the SB-700 from its case. I inserted the Energizers I had for it. No joy. I swapped them out for the Enerloops and of course, no joy.

Then I resorted to the old techie trick of hitting the unit a few times; not hard, just a sharp rap or two. Lo and behold, the unit came to life. I hit the flash button several time and it fired every time. It now sits on my D5200 in standby mode (both devices) and I took quick test shots last night and again this morning. It's all working well.

Go figure, these old techie tricks really do come in handy sometimes; like the pencil eraser to clean the SD card contacts and rapping electronic equipment to bring it to life. Who knew?

Anyway, I like the Enerloops and I am definitely keeping them and will get more to replace regular batteries in other devices. As a life-long conservative, these batteries appeal to my conservatism; I so hate throwing stuff away (as my wife reminds me everyday.)

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Congrats on your "fix" and the switch to Eneloops - I predict that you'll find them your preferred battery for most devices that require AAs or AAAs.

It may seem counterintuitive (and I expect to hear some dissenters), but a slap with the open hand is a classic electronic troubleshooting technique, especially useful to determine intermittent problems. When I worked for Tektronix, who built the highest performance and most sophisticated test and measurement equipment in the world, the service tech's (who were a level beyond most) first action on receiving a non functional scope was to give it a slap on one side panel to test for intermittents. Obviously, you can carry this method too far, but a light slap, as you've discovered can be a very effective tool for some electronic devices. I would not suggest it however on cameras or lenses with precision mechanical parts and assemblies!

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

Developing the appropriate "electronic rap" or slap, is something that takes years to master. It's not for the faint of heart.

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

Just a quick update. The speedlight has been working flawlessly, did a great job yesterday. I really like those Enerloop batteries, thanks for the tip.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Eneloops. Nothing else.

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

I'm a convert. So +1.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Good points. It makes me wonder if I've just been lucky.... I only remove batteries to recharge or swap out--and some of the flash units are infrequently used. Gosh, I hope I didn't just jinx myself....