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11/07/2006 10:37:08 PM · #1 |
please share. I'm at my 3rd set of batteries (NiMH) and was wondering if there's anyway to prolong their life-span?
1. is discharging a good idea before re-charging? my camera has a NiMH discharge feature, but my charger dont.
2. is keeping it re-charged as frequent as possible good? example, recharge eventhough I have used it less than 50%
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11/07/2006 10:43:34 PM · #2 |
Thanks GeneralE, for setting me straight :-)
Nevermind what I said before, it was incorrect.
Message edited by author 2006-11-07 23:01:39.
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11/07/2006 10:49:58 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by OdysseyF22:
It's been a while since I used NiMH, but I think they have a memory, so they should be totally discharged, then charged to full again. Not sure what the best "waiting" state is...probably fully charged. |
You are thinking of NiCad (nickel-cadmium) rechargables. NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries do not have a memory effect, and do not need to be completely discharged before recharging. Most modern NiMH chargers can sense when the battery is "full" and not overcharge them, and I've been assured that it's OK to "top off" your spare set if they've been sitting around for a while.
The one thing you want to do is keep your sets of batteries together, so that they are always matched for age, number of charges, and level of charge. Some people recommend numbering the sets or drawing on stripes or something to help manage this. |
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11/07/2006 10:52:19 PM · #4 |
I've used the Energizer NiMH 2500 mAh batteries for 1-1/2 years now. I have two sets of four batteries (AA size). My first year I had the first double-set of four and I would let them run down probably about 75 to 100% before charging. I would do this approximately once per week, alternating weeks. In other words my camera required four batteries each week I would alternate the two sets of four in and out. Some weeks I would charge them both. Anyway, they lasted right at one year before they would run out after only a handful of shots.
I've since changed cameras and the new camera uses four batteries just like my old camera. I bought another two sets of four batteries and usually don't let them get down to 50% charge before I recharge them. I've been on the new batteries for about five months now--so far so good.
Talking with others, the average lifespan for someone with my described habits is about a year. I have also read that you do not have to let them run down all the way before charging. The NiMH batteries do not have the "memory" effect that the older NiCADs had.
Once I emailed Energizer to ask about fast-chargers. They said that batteries charged with fast chargers (< 30 minutes) tend to not last as long--meaning you won't get as many charge cycles out of fast-charged batteries than you would with slower charging (6+ hours).
Edit: As  GeneralE stated, I do label my sets ("A", "B", "C", "D") and I alway use them and charge them as a set.
Message edited by author 2006-11-07 22:54:38.
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11/07/2006 10:59:49 PM · #5 |
| Like lesgainous, I get about a year before my set of 4's "dies" off (low batt warning after only a small number of shots). Well if this is normal then I guess there's nothing I should change about my usage style? |
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11/07/2006 11:07:01 PM · #6 |
I have 3 sets of Energizer 1850 mAh AA which I've been using for almost two years, without reaching that point where they expire quickly. They came with a really slow (14-hour) charger, and I usually recharge them when I get the "low batt" warning on the camera, or if they've sat for a couple of weeks without being rotated into one of my two cameras.
I also have a set of Panasonic which came with a 2-hr charger, and I've been using those for over a year as well, and in the same way. |
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11/07/2006 11:19:15 PM · #7 |
From what I understand, the lower the mAh, the longer they will last and the faster they will charge. How often are you folks charging them? Once a week?
By the way, I use a "slow" charger (8-1/2 to 9 hours). It then goes into trickle mode after they are fully charged.
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11/07/2006 11:33:22 PM · #8 |
I have the following sets:
4pcs 2500mA (retired after 8 months!)
4pcs 2300mA (OK)
4pcs 2100mA (retired after a year)
4pcs 2500mA (OK)
I have been using the same charger (Sanyo 7 hour charger)
the charger has quick 2-hour charge but I dont/cant use it because it only works if I have 2pcs charging and not all 4 (the charger has 4 slots). I also use/charge my batteries in groups of 4 so I wont mix them up. |
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11/08/2006 03:30:02 PM · #9 |
The memory effect is overrated, not even NiCads usually suffer from it. It was found on a satellite which always discharged the cells to exactly the same level before recharging them. The fix was to vary the charge/discharge cycles.
The reason NiCads generally fail is from overcharging them, or completely discharging them so that one cell reverses, or similar "misuse".
The key to good battery life (IMO) is to use a good charger and start with good batteries. Its not enough to keep them in sets by purchase date, you have to test them. For example, I have two dozen Lenmar NiMH AA batteries marked 2000 MAh, and each cell has a tested capacity that varies from 400 to 1600 MAh.
Message edited by author 2006-11-08 15:31:11. |
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11/10/2006 06:54:46 AM · #10 |
One single rule works for all my batteries.
My laptop is about three years old, mobile phone 4 years old and with the 2500 mAh batteries in my Canon S2 IS I have taken 15000+ shots. For the latter there was a problem, but this was related to the camera firmware, as the very same batteries are working again, as they were in the beginning.
For none of the above devices have I noticed any degrading in performance. I read a simple rule somewhere, which I always obey to:
1. Never, never EVER stop your batteries from charging, until they are fully recharged.
Do almost anything else, use them till your device turns off by itself, charge as often as you want, just don't take the food away while they are still eating! If you give your batteries "small meals", they will get used to this, and if they don't eat well, they don't perform well. Note that it does not take long to ruin a set of batteries this way. For practical uses, always charge your batteries before sleeping or when you are otherwise sure there will be no interruption.
If you are using a charger that does not regulate itself as batteries charges towards a full charge, that is another splendid way to kill batteries fast.
The phone I have had now since 2002 can standby for two weeks, 24 hours a day. A former collegue of mine bought the same phone (Nokia 6310i), at the same time, and he was charging often even for shorter periods. After about a half year, his did not last more than a few days MAX, after four years, mine still lasts about 2 weeks - both measured with not much talking, mainly texting.
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11/19/2006 08:19:12 PM · #11 |
| interesting to know. I'm using Duracell 2650mAh... the higest i could find. Amazingly, they were the cheapest... @ MEC! love it! |
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