Steve M Loc: Chester, NS, Canada

Not sure if this thread belongs here or should be else where. A moderator can move it is in the wrong place.

My bridge camera uses 4 AA batteries. As really good batteries are costly, I choose to use re chargeable batteries. When I purchased my camera from a camera store, they suggested using something they call ecoCell's, something they sold in the store. They are 2100 mAh, NiMN, AA, 1.25 volt. Normal batteries are 1.5 volt. They assured me I should be able able to shoot 600-700 pictures on a charge. So I purchased the charger and 8 batteries.

My question is this. I have never gotten 600 pictures out of a charge, no problem. How long should these batteries live. I made my purchase 3 maybe 4 years ago and been using them ever since. I have had pretty good service with them, but now I am really lucky if I get 100 pictures on a charge.

I fear that the problem may only be one of the 4 batteries I am now using, so is there a way to test them one at a time to see if one of them is not holding its charge? Since their life is getting shorter, I stopped into my local Walmart where they had RayOVav rechargeable in a 4 pack for $7.49. That is not a lot of money, but they give me 400-500 pictures per charge.

Should rechargeable last for ever or do they just wear out?

Comments please

Thanks

Steve

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

No one uses standard batteries these days do they, get NiMh

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Did you check out the "search" tab above for batteries and all the previous threads

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search.jsp?q=what+batteries&u=&s=0

Steve M Loc: Chester, NS, Canada

Thanks JR. Never though about a search on here. It's 5:40 am. Guess I only have one eye open, and brain not fully in gear yet. Looks like lots of reading in your comment.

Thanks and have a great day. I must Google the manufacturer as well.

Steve

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

First of all, I think you mean NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride), which replaces NiCad (Nickel Cadmium). They will degrade over time; 300 cycles are about the limit. The newest technology is Lithium-Ion, although some say they are not as good as NiMH. You can compare all three types here:

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1219030/ecr-5892d_nicd_nimh_li-ion_pdf_(2)

The following has a chart including discharge rates:

http://dpfwiw.com/batteries.htm

Personally, the one bridge camera I have that uses AA batteries is filled with non-rechargeable batteries. Much more expensive, but I don't worry about cycles.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

WHAT time, do you ever sleep

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

I have NiMh I have been using for 5 years don't believe 300 cycles

donnz Loc: Auckland, New Zealand

use a multie meter to check the voltage after charging,average should be 1.3 to 1.4 volts per cell . check again next morning . A bad cell will be way down , compared to the good ones.
Don

hj Loc: Florida

I have often read UP TO 1000 charges for NiMh rechargeable batteries but obviously it would depend on the brand and how they are used. Not sure how anyone can complain if they are getting 3-4-5 years of service.

I am still impressed with Sanyo Eneloop because they hold their charge even sitting on the shelf. Claim 85 - 90% charge left even after a year of non use. All six of my cameras now use their own proprietary batteries.

donnz Loc: Auckland, New Zealand

have to agree on the eneloop they have amazing reports on line
Don

Steve M Loc: Chester, NS, Canada

JR: I had been up for an hour at that time, LOL. Some nights I sleep, some I don`t

Steve

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

The only way to check the voltage for a bad battery is to run them down and then measure voltage. Off the charger they will all be high - in fact a weak cell may be higher.

A good battery analyzer for AA cells is the Thomas Distributing/Lacrosse BC-700. It will charge, analyze, and recondition AA/AAA NiMH and NiCad cells. I have had an earlier version for 4 years and use it on all my camera batteries.

http://www.thomasdistributing.com/La-Crosse-LC-BC700-AA-and-AAA-Battery-Charger-with-LCD-Display_p_907.html

"Eneloops" are the best rechargeable batteries. They are the most expensive, but hold up best in digital camera use.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

My Eneloops have a manufacture date of 2006, and they're still full capacity.

Steve M Loc: Chester, NS, Canada

n3eg: Thank for the comments. There is a camera store close to work, so I will be checking them out early next week.

Steve

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

Best rechargeable batteries bar none: Sanyo Eneloop:
http://us.sanyo.com/eneloop

Shelf life: Retains 75% charge after 3 years!

Get "XX" for higher capacity but you won't go wrong with the original. Buy from Amazon, your local (Dartmouth or Halifax) Costco or Costco.ca .