Batteries

[bvanant]

A little shameless self promotion. If you use AA rechargeable batteries in your gear, read the battery article on the front page. It took a long time to get the data and it is a bit surprising at least it was to me.

Bill

[James]

Confirms what I have observed in actual use, love my Eneloops and Duracell Pre-charged batteries.

James

[smb2]

Not shameless at all. Great, helpful article.
Sanyo Enloops have been in my kit for several years and seem to be trouble free with the Z220 and Z240s.
Thanks for the effort that must have gone into the article.

[scuba4fun]

I know a number of people happy with the eneloops. So I just bought a pair of inon z240's and now I need to get batteries. What charger do you recommend? Do you get two of the 4 battery chargers that come with eneloops so you can charge all eight at the same time? Or do you buy 16 batteries and just use one charger but always have a second charged set available? Any recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks
Andy

[bvanant]

I know a number of people happy with the eneloops. So I just bought a pair of inon z240's and now I need to get batteries. What charger do you recommend? Do you get two of the 4 battery chargers that come with eneloops so you can charge all eight at the same time? Or do you buy 16 batteries and just use one charger but always have a second charged set available? Any recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks
Andy

If you are serious about keeping your batteries in good shape, I recommend the LaCrosse chargers, they can charge at variable currents and can also refresh old batteries. For travel, I recommend the 4-battery Maha chargers or the LaCrosse (they have a power brick that I don't like) which are totally reliable with any kind of power including liveaboards. My rule of thumb is to take as many charger slots as I have devices I shoot. If I shoot 2 strobes with 4 AA batteries each and a focus light that take 4 AA batteries, I take 3 chargers each with 4 slots. I would then take 24 batteries so I have a complete set charging and a complete set in my devices. Seems like overkill but it makes life very simple.
Bill

[scuba4fun]

I checked out the Maha chargers. Any particular reason you wouldn't recommend the 8 battery charger?

[bvanant]

I checked out the Maha chargers. Any particular reason you wouldn't recommend the 8 battery charger?

For me it is too big and charges at too high a power if there are not 8 batteries in place. The 4 place chargers with normal wall plugs are perfect for me, small enough to fit in any nook or cranny in a gear box, while the 8 up charger needs a lot more dedicated space.
Bill

[Aussie_dave]

So I've joined the Sanyo eneloop fraternity. Bought a Sanyo charger w/ 4x 2000 mAh batteries, and an 8-pack of glitter version (oooo!) 2000 mAh cells which were on sale.

http://www.sanyohk.com/main/product.php?product_code=CJONT4ON

The package insert for the glittery jobs states "Batteries should not be used in underwater lighting or in sealed electronic devices". Huh? The glittery wrapping appears to be just shiny plastic, no metal. I can't see any external differences between the 2 types of eneloops save for the grotesque colours.

Thought - these disco cells are new on the market - perhaps Sanyo have done some lawyer-inspired updates to their DANGER section for all their NiMH batteries, and package inserts for all their eneloops will soon say this? Maybe they don't realize they are the favourite for U/W lighting?

Any insights?

Cheers,

-Dave

[Aussie_dave]

Nevermind. Asked and answered on another forum a year ago.

Using Sanyo Eneloops (or any NiMH rechargeable battery or your car battery) under certain conditions can produce hydrogen. If this occurs is in a pressure-tight environment like a U/W strobe battery compartment, the gas will vent vigourously when it is opened. There is a (tiny) fire risk, and if water has got into the battery compartment, you also get a spray of black acka-makacka all over your T-shirt.

Nothing new, nothing special about Eneloops (except their performance, hopefully!).

-Dave

[bvanant]

I am pretty sure that you will be happy with performance. Sanyo realized that many UW photo guys/gals used their cells and don't want any liability if they can help it.
Bill