LSD Recommendation for school cameras?

[lokerd]

Hello.

Love the data I have learned here...thanks for all those who do the testing. I actually have built a PowerPoint pres for my students trying to teach them what I have learned here and about batteries over the years.

I need to replace about 200 NIMH batteries for a batch of 24 digital cameras that use 4-AAs.

Currently we are using Canon A85 P&S cameras...but are currently upgrading to Pentax K100d DLSRs.

I have been mainly using 3v rechargeable lithiums with the few DLSRs I currently have. Normal NIMH do not power up the DLSRs...but I pleasantly discovered that dozen sets of Eneloops DO power the Pentax...and perform well.

So, I am thinking I should go to with what I KNOW works. But, Amazon just jacked the price up on both the 4 packs...and 8 packs. Searching led me here to discover that there are quite a few new brands on the market.

Is there a solid recommendation anybody can make with the idea they will be used in cameras?

The current pattern of usage is to be used for a period of time heavily...and then not at all, like during the summer, or, when cameras are not being checked out during the school year.

Thanks for any feedback!

Drew

 

[Robert15]

Thomas Distributing is a good source for Eneloops. They are on sale at the moment:

http://www.thomasdistributingshop.com/

AA 4-pack is $8.97:
http://www.thomasdistributingshop.com/SANYO-ENELOOP-AA-Rechargeable-Batteries-4-Pk_p_0-21.html

AAA 4-pack is $8.77:
http://www.thomasdistributingshop.com/SANYO-ENELOOP-AAA-800-mAh-Rechargeable-Batteries_p_148-121.html

I recently bought from them and was pleased with the service.

 

[lokerd]

Thanks for the links...I actually have their site up and a few things in my inbox. I am trying to make a decision on the LSD battery before I leave today for Spring Break as the cameras should be in when we get back. Right now...I don't have enough good working NIMH for all of the new cameras coming in. MANY of the our existing NIMHs are not taking enough of a charge to power up the cameras.

The thing that is temping is the new LSD batteries. They have a Kodak 2100 LSD for under $8.00. VERY tempting: http://thomasdistributing.com/shop/...html?SP_id=&osCsid=f23m8oa4ib4m5m8hir046bejp1

What do you think about that???

Thanks!
Drew

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Drew,

Welcome to CPF.

I would suggest going with Eneloop cells, however if you can't swing that, I would suggest that you contact Panasonic and see if they could give you a "deal" on some 2000 mAh cells.

The low self discharge cells are great. In my tests, the Eneloop cells didn't quite make their claim of 85% retention after one year of storage, but I figure 84.3% is pretty close.

With that said, the NiMh cells with lower capacities (1800 - 2000 mAh), while not as good as the low self discharge rate cells, still do a pretty good job. I just checked some 1800 mAh cells, and after a year they still had about 60% of their initial charge.

Tom

 

[YuccaPatrol]

Honestly, for your purposes, it sounds like you will be recharging batteries all the time rather than storing batteries in cameras for long periods. With students using them constantly, I'd choose a battery with the highest milliamp rating such as the MAHA Powerex 2700mAh batteries from Thomas Distributing. You might want to split your order and get some eneloops and some Powerex batteries if you feel you need to have some LSD versions for storage.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello YuccaPatrol,

I believe Drew mentioned that his cameras were having problems powering up on normal NiMh cells. This indicates that the voltage drop was too much on those cells. The Powerex 2700 mAh cells will give you higher capacity, but they can't hold voltage under load like the Eneloop cells can.

Tom

 

[lokerd]

Thanks for the replies. YP, good suggestion actually. I had thought about splitting my order. I haven't decided what to do with the classroom set of 20 Canon A85s. I used to check them out for home use...and may do so again now that I will another better classroom set. Currently, only my second year students have been able to check out cameras (the DLSRs).

But, SF, you are current...the Eneloops seem to be the only NIMH battery that will do the trick with the Pentax DLSRs. Even some 2900s I have will not do the job...maybe I will get the camera up right off the charger...but it will show a half battery frequently.

Regardless of whether I check out the cameras, the batteries do tend to go weeks with out being used. The 200+ 2250 Powerizers are just about done with such that only when they come RIGHT off the charger will they power up the Canon A85s...and then only for a couple of class periods. And, I am in the process of trying to find out which ones won't even take enough of a charge to do that.

But the need for the LSDs seem to be the best choice as we will shoot 2 weeks out of the 6 weeks...and then not use the cameras again for several weeks. Right now, I am going crazy because two days before we shoot, I have to make sure every single battery is charged. I have 9 - 10 bay chargers...so I have about 90 batteries on at any given time.

Drew

 

[Mr Happy]

Eneloops have been widely reported to do especially well with digital cameras. I use Eneloops in my Canon and I am very satisfied with their performance.

If cost is a consideration, I have tried out a few Uniross Hybrios and found them to perform comparably to Eneloops but potentially available at a lower price. You could test a few and see what you think.

 

[UnknownVT]

Currently we are using Canon A85 P&S cameras...but are currently upgrading to Pentax K100d DLSRs.
I have been mainly using 3v rechargeable lithiums with the few DLSRs I currently have. Normal NIMH do not power up the DLSRs...but I pleasantly discovered that dozen sets of Eneloops DO power the Pentax...and perform well.

Almost chalk and cheese -

Canon A-series p&s are very frugal and, more importantly, tolerant with batteries.

The Pentax K100D is very fussy with batteries - as you've already discovered some NiMH won't even power up the camera - one needs good and >=2500mAh NiMH to do that -
the trouble with >= 2500mAh NiMH is cramming all that capcity into the batteries often means they lose (self-discharge) their capacity quickly - and may be more prone to be damaged from overcharge/heat.

LSDs are very suitable for the Pentax K100D - eneloops and Uniross Hybrios have been reported as being able to maintain higher voltage levels - this is VERY important for the Pentax K100D - as it is voltage sensitive (that's why the lithium batteries do so well in the K100D) -

here is a very relevant recent thread -

[Slightly OT] Cutoff voltage of cameras favors Low Self-Discharge batteries?

I'll paste in what I said there -
" The Pentax K100D dSLR uses 4x AA, and is well known to be very battery fussy -
this Post #49 (link) in thread - K100D - "Low-Battery" Problem gives details of the cutoff voltage levels.

The poster said his Uniross Hybrios maintains higher voltage.
....
see also this thread -

My Eneloops charge to and hold a higher voltage than other LSD's ... "

eneloops are often regarded as the "best" LSD by many - possibly because they were the first, and most well known -
to be safe I'd just get eneloops.

I have read of people getting eneloop AA at $7.99/4 from HH Gregg -
they are also $9.99/4 at Circuit City -

Being a school and the larger quantity -
couldn't you persuade them to give you a big discount?

 

[lokerd]

Sorting through aging batteries???

Thanks UVT!

Good idea to call them for a better discount. They didn't budge. But, I just found a 5% discount Gift Certificate Code in my car...from a while ago...no expiration...and it worked! Saved almost all of the $15 in shipping!

I went ahead and went with 100% Eneloops...at least I know they work. Great feedback here!!

I do have another question...I thought to post a new thread...but it goes along this same line of what I have already explained here.

As I mentioned, I have over 200+ 2250 Powerizers. The last few months I have been having more and more trouble. I know they are failing...but not all of them. I just ordered a BC-900 for up here are school (I have two at home)...and testing every battery.

I have been trying different things to figure out which ones are dying. What I resorted to doing is putting newly charged batteries in a camera (the Canon A85s). If it powers up take a few pictures, fine, I pull those batteries and put them in one stack. If the red battery warning flashes...or it doesn't power up at all, I pull those batteries and put a volt meter on it...and see which one is the culprit.

I have some students coming in for detention TODAY...and I am putting them on this project. Is there a better way?

Thanks!
Drew

 

[SilverFox]

Re: Sorting through aging batteries???

Hello Drew,

The ZTS tester was made for just this application...

Tom

 

[UnknownVT]

Re: Sorting through aging batteries???

I have been trying different things to figure out which ones are dying. What I resorted to doing is putting newly charged batteries in a camera (the Canon A85s). If it powers up take a few pictures, fine, I pull those batteries and put them in one stack. If the red battery warning flashes...or it doesn't power up at all, I pull those batteries and put a volt meter on it...and see which one is the culprit.

I have some students coming in for detention TODAY...and I am putting them on this project. Is there a better way?

Sounds about right for the simplest way of detecting the culprits.
(EDIT to ADD - BUT what SilverFox said above about the ZTS battery tester - is quicker - however even the cheapest price for the Mini-MBT is about $30 - and I assumed if you had one - you'd be using it with today's detainees ;p )

Using the detention students is smart -
you might want to mark/number the batteries - then make different detainees measure each battery to corroborate readings.

In fact 200+ isn't that many - number the "good" ones (and note their numbers) - but don't tell the students which are which -
then you can kind of compare "good" with "bad" - you might find potentially "bad" ones in the initially "good" group which were kind of supported by genuine good ones.