Energizer NiMH Batteries - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

07/18/2004 01:47:16 PM · #1

I have 2 old (good) Rechargeable Energizer NiMH Batteries 1700 mAh
I just have buy new one, 1700 no longer exist, so i buy 2100 mAh

The question is : can I recharge and use 2 x 1700 mAh and 2 x 2100 mAh in my new Sigma DG 500 flash without problem...

Answer only if sure of what you said (if you are electician or electronic expert it is ok) or you have test it without problem... want to know your experience...

Thanks in advance

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/18/2004 01:52:31 PM · #2

Originally posted by menardmam:

Why not !
Chargers are designed for parallel devices,where each device gets charged by separate current flow !
Like filling 4 glasses different sizes under waterfall !

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

07/18/2004 01:53:44 PM · #3

I think it's better if they match.

I bought a lot of the 1700 type not too long ago through Costco -- there appears to be a typo (listed as 700 mAh, not 1700). They also have some listed at 1850 mAh at 2x4-packs for $16.

wwwavenger

07/18/2004 01:59:18 PM · #4

This from //www.thomas-distributing.com/nimhbattery-faq.htm

Question #12: I know that it is not wise to mix different brand/types etc. batteries in the MH-C777 charger. But what about mixing batteries of same type, but different discharge levels? Ie. I have 8 Maha's. If 4 of them are discharged and the other 4 fully charged - can I put them all in an 8 slot tray, clip it onto the MH-C777 and expect them to charge correctly?

Answer #12: You should always make sure all batteries are at the same or very close to the same discharge levels. Never mix NiMH batteries that have different levels of charge. The MH-C777 has no way of knowing which batteries are charged and which ones are not. Failure to follow these instructions when charging your batteries can lead to excessive charging , battery damage or leakage, or even damage to the MAHA MH-C777 charger itself. If you must charge the 4 batteries that are discharged you need to get a 4 cell holder and charge only those 4 batteries.

Message edited by author 2004-07-18 13:59:45.

wwwavenger

07/18/2004 02:01:16 PM · #5

And rechargables are so cheap! Why lose 30 flashes just because some of your batteries aren't 2100mAh?

Message edited by author 2004-07-18 14:01:25.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-80mm 1:4-5.6

07/18/2004 02:04:13 PM · #6

Originally posted by wwwavenger:

You mixed NIMH and Alcalines here.
That is not true.
Alcalines might leak but not the NIMH's,there is nothing to leak inside?!

dccloss

Nikon D70

07/18/2004 02:09:40 PM · #7

Think about it this way, every battery package I have ever read has the warning not to mix types and strengths of batteries. Beyond that obvious statement, do you really think that it is worth it to possibly blow your flash, on account of hoping that this statement is false? I always use the same strength batteries together, even when I have 4 extra batteries (1700 mAh), because they came with the charger, and I wanted 2100s, which I bought in addition to, to get the extra battery life. Anyway, I don't know how much you spent for your flash, but I do not think that it is even worth the possible savings, and, in aggreeance with wwwavenger, why lose the extra battery power? (I have had a problem mixing types and batteries (not rechargable) that are used and new together, if that is any help.) Just my 2 cents worth.

-Danielle

BTW, my dad is an electrical engineer, so I will see what he has to say, but I am pretty sure that he would agree with me.

Originally posted by menardmam:

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/18/2004 02:15:32 PM · #8

How are you Danielle :-), when is the next GTG ?

Btw, mixing types -reffers to NIMH,NICD,Alcaline.....
Mixing strength- reffers to 1.2V ,1.5 V,3 V....

1700 mAh or 2100mAh is reffering to how long one battery can supply 1mA of current and has nothing to do with type or strength !
;-)

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

07/18/2004 02:25:25 PM · #9

Originally posted by pitsaman:

I agree. But I don't know what happens when two of the four batteries in the camera/flash run down, and the other two don't. You could then get some power but at a lowered voltage. More likely it would just stop working as if all the batteries are dead. Same thing could happen if you put in batteries with different levels of charge.

The thing is, by mixing, you lose any benefit of the longer-life batteries, since the use-time is limited by the shorter-life batteries.

I bought three sets (of 4) of the shorter-life batteries because they were so cheap, and I can just rotate them a bit faster. If it's a really important time to take photos, I also have an "emergency set" of alkalines hidden somewhere in the camera bag.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/18/2004 02:41:15 PM · #10

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by pitsaman:
How are you Danielle :-), when is the next GTG ?

Btw, mixing types -reffers to NIMH,NICD,Alcaline.....
Mixing strength- reffers to 1.2V ,1.5 V,3 V....

1700 mAh or 2100mAh is reffering to how long one battery can supply 1mA of current and has nothing to do with type or strength !
;-)

I agree. But I don't know what happens when two of the four batteries in the camera/flash run down, and the other two don't. You could then get some power but at a lowered voltage. More likely it would just stop working as if all the batteries are dead. Same thing could happen if you put in batteries with different levels of charge.

The thing is, by mixing, you lose any benefit of the longer-life batteries, since the use-time is limited by the shorter-life batteries.

I bought three sets (of 4) of the shorter-life batteries because they were so cheap, and I can just rotate them a bit faster. If it's a really important time to take photos, I also have an "emergency set" of alkalines hidden somewhere in the camera bag.

In the long run the higher capacity ones (2100) develop charge discharge memory levels,which means they never fully discharge and you put them to charge again and instead of leasting 1000 charges their life gets shortened to maybe 700 charges ....

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

07/18/2004 03:02:19 PM · #11

Originally posted by pitsaman:

I've heard that's true of NiCad batteries, but not the NiMH or Lithium ones.

menardmam