High Capacity AA NiMH recommendations for Camera Flash and Flashlight

[AFARR]

Based on the recommendations here, I bought some batteries---I found a good price on 24 Duraloops (Japan) and ordered them...(prior to that I had 4 Eneloops and 8 Tenergy LSD batteries, along with a mixed bag of other NiMH--energizer, kodak, polaroid, etc.).

I even bought the Maha 9000 charger based on things I read on here (still learning to use it).

So....I need recommendations on a high capacity NiMH AA battery for quick use...like putting fresh from the charger batteries into a Flash unit for a DSLR (or 4 into my wife's digital camera) and taking a bunch of pictures over a weekend, or into an AA flashlight (Romisen) for a weekend camping trip. These will be fresh from the charger batteries.

Worth picking up something like 2700 mAh batteries...or just use the Duraloops (the extra 700 mAh isn't going to make much difference)?

Thanks for any thoughts...

AFARR

 

[MarioJP]

You came to the right place the best HI Capacity NiMH I can recommend you is

Ansmann 2850!!!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WL1PA6/?tag=cpf0b6-20

They Perform really well:twothumbs

 

[Marduke]

I recommend simply sticking with the Duraloops. Overall, they will give you a better, consistent performance over the long run.

 

[Burgess]

to AFARR --


Welcome to CandlePowerForums !


:welcome:


I would simply stay with yer' DuraLoops, as Marduke recommends above.

They are truly excellent performers, so why not standardize on 'em.


Oh, BTW . . . .


Glad to see you've purchased a fine charger, also.

:thumbsup:
_

 

[MarioJP]

Well Let see how those duraloop lasts when you have a camera that sucks alot of juice. I would at least have one set of Hi Cap batteries and have your duraloops as a backup.

And also when buying hi cap batteries quality matters. So far I been putting heavy use on these ansmann 2850 like a month or so.

They sure outperform the duracells 2650 and energizers 2450's and 2500 in terms in performance and self discharge rate that's pretty good for a non lsd cells.

Whats more they hold their charge fully even after a week sitting there. Now since they are high cap batteries don't store them like if they are duraloops. they will eventually discharge but they sure don't fast discharge like other hi cap batteries i have experienced. Comes with a 2 year warranty.

But from what i have seen so far these batteries are meant for digital cameras that demand high currents.

I have 2 sets of duraloops and I mostly have high drain devices and man those duraloops don't last to long at all. So i Just use those as a backup and use the hi cap as my main set.

for 2 AA of Ansmann 2850mah makes up for 4 AA duraloops that is what i have experienced.

 

[Marduke]

Mario, Eneloops will generally perform much better than "hi cap" cells in high drain devices. The midpoint voltage is higher, and the discharge curve is much flatter.

Keep in mind your cells were previously trashed in your other charger.

 

[MarioJP]

Mario, Eneloops will generally perform much better than "hi cap" cells in high drain devices. The midpoint voltage is higher, and the discharge curve is much flatter.

Keep in mind your cells were previously trashed in your other charger.

Not the 2 new sets of duraloops i bought not too long ago. Now the other previous last 2 duraloops that were thrashed are used for the remote now lol. Don't get me wrong these are good batteries and good for storage but when it comes to high drain devices that draws 1amp they be flat in a short amount of time

 

[Marduke]

When it comes to high drain devices, duration (runtime) is only one factor to consider. The performance during that time is another factor. While you may not see it in you use (mobile cellphone charger), it is a much bigger player in other electronics. In cameras, it means faster recycle times between shots.

Over the long term, high cap cells after just dozens of cycles will start to develop much higher internal resistance (lower voltage under load) and much higher self discharge. It is quite common to have high cap cells with <100 cycles discharge to zero capacity within a week. They are just more fragile due to their nature.

In the end, over the life of the cell, Eneloops (& Duraloops) give much more Wh/$ (bang for buck).

 

[MarioJP]

I guess I will find out eventually after couple of more months.

 

[AFARR]

Thanks for the info.

I have no problem picking up a few batteries to try out (Ansmann), but will definitely keep my eyes open for more deals on a Duraloop.

One other question (as I have seen before)....the Maha is a bit big as a travel charger. I want one around in case I'm away and need to recharge (say) the flash batteries, So....

Any suggestions on a reasonably priced travel charger (i.e....cheap enough to leave in the camera bag for only occasional use, but still good enough it won't chew up the batteries I put in it...and, if I need to recharge a large batch, can be run at home {rarely} to recharge in addition to the Maha)?

Thanks!

AFARR

 

[Marduke]

The Duracell Mobile Charger is a good compact one.

The LaCrosse BC900 (or BC9009) is another that has most of the features of the C9000 at a lower price and fraction of the size.

 

[drmaxx]

Any suggestions on a reasonably priced travel charger (i.e....cheap enough to leave in the camera bag for only occasional use, but still good enough it won't chew up the batteries I put in it...and, if I need to recharge a large batch, can be run at home {rarely} to recharge in addition to the Maha)?

Nothing spectacular, but I like my Titanium TG-2800.

 

[alpg88]

if you use your camera occasionally, (once a week, or twice a month) i don't recommend any rechargeables, i recommend lithium aa. i have the same energizer e2 lithiums batts in my camera for more than 2 years now, meter still shows half. i use camera about few times a month.

 

[AFARR]

I have about 35+ Lithium AA batteries (15 from before and 20 coming) that I use for "critical" things...like my Sister in Law's wedding, etc. when I know that I REALLY need to have active batteries without much chance for switching. The AA rechargeable are more for kids concerts, soccer games, etc. where I have a bit of time to swap out batteries if I need to (or flashlights, etc.).

I keep at least 4 of them in the camera bag ready to go--however, since they have a shelf life of lots of years, I only rotate them infrequently.

Thanks again for the input.

AFARR

 

[Mr Happy]

Nothing spectacular, but I like my Titanium TG-2800.

I have one of those, but it makes the batteries very hot at the end of charging. How do you find it?

 

[45/70]

I have about 35+ Lithium AA batteries (15 from before and 20 coming) that I use for "critical" things...like my Sister in Law's wedding, etc. when I know that I REALLY need to have active batteries without much chance for switching.

As far as primary type cells, lithium AA and AAA's are what I use most, although mostly just for backup/emergency use. I have to ask, what do you do after these events, that you do use them, with the partially discharged cells?

That's my problem with non-rechargeable cells. I'm spoiled! I don't like having cells around that are partially discharged. With rechargeables, you can leave the house, and know exactly where you stand, always!

Dave

 

[AFARR]

Haven't been using the Lithiums long enough to generate a system. Usually use them until weak (long flash cycle times) and pitch them. I suppose I could put them aside and put them into (say) the cordless mouse on the computer or the TV remote.

I also use them in some red dot (Primary Arms M4 clone and EoTech 512) sights...they seem to do well in them.

AFARR

 

[45/70]

Haven't been using the Lithiums long enough to generate a system. Usually use them until weak (long flash cycle times) and pitch them. I suppose I could put them aside and put them into (say) the cordless mouse on the computer or the TV remote.

I also use them in some red dot (Primary Arms M4 clone and EoTech 512) sights...they seem to do well in them.

AFARR

Sounds good enough, I guess.

I guess I should have pointed out that I haven't used primary type cells (meaning mostly alkaline), to any real extent, for 25 years or so. That being why I am spoiled. I've just gotten used to rechargeables, knowing that whatever I go do, my cells are as good as they can get. I never have to stop and think, "let's see, how long did I use these last time" etc.

Dave

 

[drmaxx]

I have one of those, but it makes the batteries very hot at the end of charging. How do you find it?

It seems that it charges 4AA with 500 mA - below the recommended 0.5 - 1 C for a good endpoint determination.
Indeed, for older high capacity NiMH I see some missed terminations (hot batteries, way too long charging). No problem with eneloops however. This is not my main charger and for traveling the form factor is simply great. It works worldwide (110V - 220V). Just add a simple converter plug (e.g. from DX) and you are good to go in many countries around the world.

 

[Glasstream15]

I have a Canon S5IS camera that uses 4 AA bateries. With 4 Eneloops I easily get 400+ shots, very fast flash recharge and I know it'll still be ready to go a month from now. I also have a Canon 220EX and a Canon 430EX Speedlight, both take 4 AAs. Again, Eneloops. The 220EX is used mostly on my S5IS and the 430EX is used on on of my 2 Canon film SLRs or my Rebel XT DSLR. The Eneloops, and even ROV Hybrids, provide faster recharge and more "clicks" than any other rechargeable battery.

Advertised capacity and useable capacity are NOT the same. Some high drain devices may love the 2700 and 2800 mah batteries. My personal experience, and the experience of some profesional photographer friends and relatives (neice) the LSD cells give the best, longest and most dependable performance in photographic equipment.