Envelop Battery Charging Question: I bought some Eneloop batteries for use in my S700 speedlight; 4 to have in the battery chamber and 4 more that I charged and left in the charging...

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

I bought some Eneloop batteries for use in my S700 speedlight; 4 to have in the battery chamber and 4 more that I charged and left in the charging module to store in my bag as back up. When it came time to switch out the batteries, the back-ups had gone dead. The originals had lasted about 6 months or more, so they remained in the unpowered charger for quite a while. Is it normal for these batteries to discharge while not in use? Thanks and Happy New Year.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

Please excuse the misspelling of Eneloop in the title. Damn predictive typing.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

NoSocks wrote:

I bought some Eneloop batteries for use in my S700 speedlight; 4 to have in the battery chamber and 4 more that I charged and left in the charging module to store in my bag as back up. When it came time to switch out the batteries, the back-ups had gone dead. The originals had lasted about 6 months or more, so they remained in the unpowered charger for quite a while. Is it normal for these batteries to discharge while not in use? Thanks and Happy New Year.

Yes, it's normal. I hope the lesson learned was to charge your batteries before any job. Or what I do is find a place to charge backup sets as soon as I arrive on a job.

My basic procedure is it they have been used, even for a few shots - or not charged in the last two weeks, they get charged before I go on a job. If I have more than one set I make sure I have a spare set ready to go and charge the second or third set on-site as you can wear out batteries before another set can charge.

RLSeipleSr Loc: North of Boston

I've been using the Sanyo eneloop batteries for a couple of years and I have never had that problem. But, I always take any of my rechargeable batteries out of the charger when charging is complete ... never leaving them in the charger for any length of time. My back-ups are always ready, they seem to keep their charge for many months.

And, while I don't know if it would make a difference or not, and, you did not mention it, I always use the slow charge mode on my Maha MH-C401FSB batery charger.

RLSeipleSr Loc: North of Boston

... as Capture48 stated ... "recharge" before use ... always a good idea ...

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

tradergeorge Loc: Newport, Kentucky

You should never leave charged batteries of any type in the charger once it is unpowered. If it has power, it will "trickle charge" the batteries. Unpowered, it will provide a discharge path that will deplete the batteries over time...

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

NoSocks wrote:

I bought some Eneloop batteries for use in my S700 speedlight; 4 to have in the battery chamber and 4 more that I charged and left in the charging module to store in my bag as back up. When it came time to switch out the batteries, the back-ups had gone dead. The originals had lasted about 6 months or more, so they remained in the unpowered charger for quite a while. Is it normal for these batteries to discharge while not in use? Thanks and Happy New Year.

I have a bunch of Eneloops, have used them for several years now. I carry several backup sets for my SB-600 flash in plastic cases.

I shoot till depleted, then swap out the flash batteries for a fresh set from the plastic case - returning the depleted for a discharge & refresh in the charger (I use a La Crosse BC-700 charger) and always discharge & refresh, letting the charger test the batteries after several months of charging cycles.

I have never had any of my rechargeable batteries lose power during storage, but definitely do not store them in the charger.

Be sure you use a good charger that discharges the batteries and can also perform testing on the batteries to get the max charge they will hold.

You did not mention what charger you have.

WAL

I thought the idea was these batteries held the charge. I think will return them. I have not opened the package. I just bought and stay with alkaline. They have a long shelf life.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

NoSocks wrote:

Please excuse the misspelling of Eneloop in the title. Damn predictive typing.

You should be able to edit your thread title. It will help others inthe future doing searches. :wink:

wolfman

WAL wrote:

I thought the idea was these batteries held the charge. I think will return them. I have not opened the package. I just bought and stay with alkaline. They have a long shelf life.

They do hold their charge for a long time. When I ordered 2 sets from Amazon, they had an 80% charge when I received them. No telling how long they were laying around there before they were shipped.

Bob

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

WAL wrote:

I thought the idea was these batteries held the charge. I think will return them. I have not opened the package. I just bought and stay with alkaline. They have a long shelf life.

They do... if you do your research you will find that they are top rated batteries for holding their charge....like maintaining 85% of their charge after sitting one year on the shelf - can't find any fault with that.

I have zero complaints or problems with mine, and I have quite a few eneloops.

http://www.metaefficient.com/rechargeable-batteries/best-rechargeable-batteries-battery-chargers.html

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Your situation is not normal.
At the university where I work, along with doing photography, I also manage 12 camera kits for students to check out. The kits include a flash with 4 batteries plus another spare set. That's 96 batteries... plus what I use myself- including even more spares. I love Eneloops!
I've never had an issue with charged Eneloops losing power just sitting on a shelf.
The idea that leaving them in an unpowered charger could be an issue, but I never do that.

The La Crosse BC-700 charger mentioned by Donald is one of the best.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

tradergeorge wrote:

You should never leave charged batteries of any type in the charger once it is unpowered. If it has power, it will "trickle charge" the batteries. Unpowered, it will provide a discharge path that will deplete the batteries over time...

:thumbup:
I've also made the mistake of leaving batteries in the charger after unplugging it. While I didn't "time" it, the batteries drained very rapidly left that way.
I now store my batteries in plastic boxes made for that purpose and the charge lasts a long time again:
http://www.sonic-uk.com/product_details.php?prodid=263
I store the charged batteries in the white part, and put the "empty" ones in the red part of the boxes.
Every couple of weeks I check the batteries with this little gadget, for available power.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

RLSeipleSr wrote:

I've been using the Sanyo eneloop batteries for a ... (show quote)

Thanks to all responders. I was unaware there were different grades of chargers that could be set to test, charge, trickle charge, and discharge. I'm feeling very naive in my advancing years. Gives me a good excuse to check Adorama and B&H for something new as long as I don't come away with a charger and a new lens! :D

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

NoSocks wrote:

Thanks to all responders. I was unaware there were different grades of chargers that could be set to test, charge, trickle charge, and discharge. I'm feeling very naive in my advancing years. Gives me a good excuse to check Adorama and B&H for something new as long as I don't come away with a charger and a new lens! :D

Plenty of good info on the internet for types, best, worst etc....
http://co-op.kinja.com/five-best-battery-chargers-1652950572