nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

They are NiMH rechargeable made by sanyo. They have a unique ability to hold their charge for about a year. I buy mine from Costco.

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Corrosion is a known problem with alkaline batteries. I now remove them from a device since I have lost a couple of mag lights due to corrosion

ajarnbill Loc: Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

I was recently in a local Tesco Lotus store looking at batteries. I saw Eneloop batteries on the shelf but with the Panasonic brand rather than Sanyo. The price was unbelievable such that I asked the clerk to confirm that the shelf tag was not wrong. He looked it up on his computer and found the price was right, 60 baht. This was $1.80for four 2000mAh batteries. I later found out the change to the Panasonic brand coincided with a new 4th generation of the battery. It now gets more charges. I did not want to take advantage too much so I only bought four 4 paks. I went back this last week and they only had 2 paks for 349 baht. What a difference.

haasrw1031 Loc: Gainesville - Originally Miami Florida

I've had this occur in a couple of SpeedLites too. However, I want to point out that isn't a situation where one takes their flash and throws it into a closet. This occurred in mine in about a week's time.

Contact cleaning: I've used a cotton swab dry without anything on it. I like, and will try, the WD-40 comment.

ceh1024 Loc: Lutz, FL

This give a pretty good description of causes and solutions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaline_battery

WAL

I have had more alkaline batteries leak in the past few years than the years before. Has any one noticed this?

oldie65 Loc: Miamisburg Ohio

Where do you find Eneloop batteries? never seen them.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Any photo shop should have the eneloops. I have 8 so that I can switch one set out. I use mine heavily for field and studio macro shooting-- often firing them 100-200 times in a session. I rarely have to go to the second set-- but then I'm shooting at reduced power.

I only use alkalines in an emergency and do not leave them in after using them. Because of my use pattern, I discard them before they expire because the recycle times interfere.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Always remove batteries from any device you don't intend to use within a few days.

Modern equipment often drains batteries even when the device is turned off. Clocks, memory, and other chip-driven functions often use a slight trickle of power to retain settings.

Sure, removing batteries may force you to reset some settings next time, but it's better than risking a device that won't work unless you clean it or send it to the repair shop.

Batteries are a subject unto themselves. Every type has its advantages, disadvantages, and (if rechargeable) its own optimal charging pattern.

For flash work, I prefer NiMH cells. They tend to have the best compromise among number of flashes per charge (energy density), cost, number of lifetime charge cycles, charging time, etc.

There are NiMH cells made with "maximum charge retention life" and other NiMH cells made with "maximum energy density" in mind. It seems that the difference is about 500 to 700 MAh for AA cells (i.e.; 2000 MAh vs 2700 MAh, with the lower capacity cell capable of holding a charge much longer).

If you use your flash daily, and heavily, go with the highest capacity cells available, and keep them on trickle charge for use the next day. If you use your flash only occasionally, use cells advertised to hold a charge for a long time. Charge monthly, and don't store in the flash.

Boney Loc: Huntington Beach

I have had more alkaline batteries leak in the past few years than the years before. Has any one noticed this?......WAL

Yes I think your right. I have lost several things to the copper top batteries. My $300 Bose Quiet Comfort head phones. Sent them to the battery company and received $200 not $300 because battery was beyond its expiration date. I no longer leave any alkaline batteries in equipment. I now also use primary Lithium batteries in my flash.

Also switched to the Eneloops for rechargeable batteries. They are rather amazing rechargeable batteries.

davidheald1942 Loc: Mars (the planet)

Are you saying you can charge the eneloop in a charger that charges NIMH?
Thanks.
ronny

MrT Loc: Gilbert, AZ

When you remove the batteries from the speed light how do you store them? Leaving them to roll around in my camera bag doesn't seem like a good idea either. I have a set for my mbd10 that I put in the holder to keep them organized but the has got to be another way.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

I've had great results with the Precision Design Brand sold by Cameta. They are 1.25volt each, NiMH and are rated at 2900mAh. You get 4-pack cases with them that are ideal for my SB700. When I'm doing flash work I grab a pack or two and I'm ready to roll.
I DO remove them after use. Why invite a problem.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Thank you for the helpful hint. I think I just left mine in from my last shoot. Hurrying home tonight to remove them.