Battery Substitute
Jun 11, 2019 09:54:01 #
May I add that IKEA sells a 4 pack of LADDA double A NI-MH rechargeable cells at a very reasonable price (I think it was around seven bucks)!! They are rated at 2450 mAh and seem to hold their charge very well and are made in Japan. I don't have a fast charger, but they are labeled for 16hr recharge at 245 ma. My
EBL-807 charger seems to do an excellent job at what I would think is a medium speed. It handles four cells at a time and individually monitors each cell.
EBL-807 charger seems to do an excellent job at what I would think is a medium speed. It handles four cells at a time and individually monitors each cell.
Jun 11, 2019 10:11:37 #
jradose wrote:
As most external flashes do, my flash takes 4 AA batteries. The problem is, those batteries die out so quickly. Is there a better battery one can get that will replace those 4 AA batteries?
What? AA batts die out quickly you say??? LoL
If you have a problem with a short life using AA alkaline batts, your really going to have problems with AA rechargables!
Sure, rechargables last and overall longer period but they have short actual use time.
If you use your using you flash that much, lets say for a wedding or similar, youll be swapping out batteries alot.
At about 50 cents or less (USD) each, go with good AA alkalines. Rechargables are much, much higher. I used to pay around $8.00 per set of four and found I needed several backups to go the night. Not so with AA alkalines. The entire night was common.
If you use the flash every so often, then go ahead. Not doing weddings etc. Any more, I still prefer non rechargables simple for the long shelf life.
Jun 11, 2019 10:16:32 #
Check your flash for an electrical drain. May be an issue. Forget about alkalines. Rechargeables outperform them in every way.
Jun 11, 2019 10:23:52 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
jradose wrote:
As most external flashes do, my flash takes 4 AA batteries. The problem is, those batteries die out so quickly. Is there a better battery one can get that will replace those 4 AA batteries?
I found that the rechargeable batteries make the flash recycle a little faster and give more "pops" per charge, compared to alkalines.
Depending upon what flash you're using, there also may be accessory battery packs available. I use some Canon Compact Battery Packs (CP-E2, CP-E3, CP-E4) with my Canon 550EX and 580EX flashes. These only work with Canon's 500EX/600EX series flashes, but provide eight additional batteries so that the flash is being powered by a total of 12 AA size batteries (rechargeable or alkaline).
Other Canon flash cannot use the Canon battery packs... 200EX, 300EX and 400EX series flashes don't have the socket necessary to connect the pack.
HOWEVER, some of those flashes can be powered by an auxiliary third party battery pack, such as those made by Quantum. There's some minor modification of the flash needed (a slot needs to be cut in the battery compartment door, to allow a wired "dummy" battery pack to be installed).
If a connecting cord is available for your particular flash, these larger rechargeable battery packs can work well.
Jun 11, 2019 10:59:11 #
nadelewitz
Loc: Ithaca NY
How about Lithiums? More power/last longer than alkaline, very long shelf life, don't leak. Energizer Lithium available in your favorite supermarket, drugstore, hardware store, etc.
I find that rechargeables just do not always work. NiMH cells produce 1.2 volts, which doesn't do it for some flash units. They don't even begin to charge.
I find that rechargeables just do not always work. NiMH cells produce 1.2 volts, which doesn't do it for some flash units. They don't even begin to charge.
Jun 11, 2019 11:07:39 #
nadelewitz wrote:
How about Lithiums? More power/last longer than alkaline, very long shelf life, don't leak. Energizer Lithium available in your favorite supermarket, drugstore, hardware store, etc.
I find that rechargeables just do not always work. NiMH cells produce 1.2 volts, which doesn't do it for some flash units. They don't even begin to charge.
I find that rechargeables just do not always work. NiMH cells produce 1.2 volts, which doesn't do it for some flash units. They don't even begin to charge.
Jun 11, 2019 11:26:09 #
nadelewitz
Loc: Ithaca NY
Bison Bud wrote:
The gentleman that states that battery capacity is... (show quote)
Milliamphour ratings are a guide to how many flash charges you can get out of a battery before it's worn out (at least for that use).
It's the battery VOLTAGE that tells if a battery will charge the device at all. Alkalines produce 1.5 volts. NiMH rechargeables only produce 1.2 volts. That's the chemistry difference between the two types of cells. 1.2 volts is just not high enough to charge all flash units (or power some cameras that use AA cells).
I see flash and camera manuals all the time that warn NOT to use rechargeable batteries for this reason.
Jun 11, 2019 11:42:46 #
Jun 11, 2019 12:05:10 #
GENorkus wrote:
What? AA batts die out quickly you say??? LoL br ... (show quote)
If you have problems like that you should really look into an external battery pack.
Jun 11, 2019 12:35:27 #
burkphoto wrote:
Eneloops OR... a Quantum Battery Pack:
My Quantum is long gone, but the Velcro that held it in place is still wrapped around my tripod leg.
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Jun 11, 2019 12:40:50 #
nadelewitz wrote:
Milliamphour ratings are a guide to how many flash... (show quote)
On my DVM, a fresh Alkaline is 1.55-1.62 V, while my fully charged Eneloops are approx.1.30 V. While some devices are voltage sensitive, I would be surprised if a typical flash is. I can’t speak for all flashes, but my Canon 600 EX-RT and its Youngnuo clone work fine (and recharge faster) on the Ni MH. The batteries in a flash run a (voltage regulated) inverter that charges the flash tube capacitor, and unless the inverter won’t start (on many flashes you can hear it), then the output voltage to the capacitor should remain the same as most modern inverter designs are self-regulating. I believe the warning may refer to the fact that since the recharge time is so short (due to the low internal resistance of rechargables), that you can fire a series of full power flashes in a short time causing the flash to overheat. My flash has this warning and will shut down under those circumstances to cool off.
Cheers
Jun 11, 2019 12:45:14 #
nadelewitz
Loc: Ithaca NY
uhaas2009 wrote:
Eneloop does the job
Maybe. Maybe not. As I have said already, rechargeables-NiMH or NiCad- do not work in all flashes. Their voltage is too low... 1.2 volts, compared to alkaline and lithium 1.5 volts.
Jun 11, 2019 12:46:50 #
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
jradose wrote:
As most external flashes do, my flash takes 4 AA batteries. The problem is, those batteries die out so quickly. Is there a better battery one can get that will replace those 4 AA batteries?
You need to move to the world of quality rechargeables; Buy a nice set and a charger of (however many you need for devices that need dedicated sets) AA's like the Enoloops, Watson, Powerex, Enegizer, and a few others. Every device in my house that uses batteries (AA and AAA, D, C and 9 volt) uses NIMH or Li-ON rechargeables. NIMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries have good power reserve, and are hugely inexpensive when you think of the hundreds/thousands of recharges versus buying alkalines and throwing them away. LI-ON Lithium batteries are like what comes in your camera, they are more expensive, and require more care, and can be volitile if mistreated or shorted. I'd recommend staying with NIMH early on. Go for the higher capacity sets - 1500 MAH and above, you will get great run time and longevity. A good set and charger is probably around $18-20 and up, depending on how many cells you want.
Jun 11, 2019 12:50:28 #
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
GENorkus wrote:
What? AA batts die out quickly you say??? LoL br ... (show quote)
2600MAH AA's should help with that. The old ones didn't have much of a well, but the newer sets are much much better..... I use a lot of rechargeables, I'm a good candidate for "rechargeable battery poster child".
Jun 11, 2019 12:59:46 #
nadelewitz
Loc: Ithaca NY
olemikey wrote:
You need to move to the world of quality rechargea... (show quote)
Lucky you that rechargeables work on every device in your house. They DON'T work in a number of flash units and cameras. Read my previous posts.
Rechargeable lithium AA? A web search shows only one, brand name Kentli, available on Amazon for $37.00 for a four-pack. Must use its own charger. They've sold
eighteen packs. I can't vouch for them at all. You can spend your money to try them, though.
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