Rechargable Batteries AA - what to look for?

**imagemelbourne** · 20-08-2009, 10:25am

Originally Posted by Kym

*#That's only true for cheap fast chargers.

A MaHa C9000 charges and discharges, cycles etc. It is a true battery management system.

Fast chargers are fine ... IF they cut out before overheating or overcharging.
The C9000 is very good at that; the cells are never hot only a little warm (normal) after charging.

The C9000 lets you fully program the charge rate. So you can do a 1/10th C slow or 1/2 or higher C fast charge.
Either way the C9000 will not overcharge or overheat your cells.

Do some research.

Google: Maha c9000 review

I know I sound like an advert but I have had significant experience with rechargeable battery technologies in various applications over the last 20 or so years. (RC aircraft; portable radio and computer gear (warehousing application); computer UPS etc).
I know what works; also what is myth and fact.

I didn't know there was a Maha charger with variable charge rates, that sounds like a very good idea. I had a smart charger that monitered temperature & voltage.... it still ate batteries, they were fairly warm once charged :-(

If the Maha works for you thats cool. I suspect your charger cost a lot more than mine plus an extra set of batteries so if you are organised my system costs less and still works well. I quite like having the extra batteries as backups, YMMV

**Kym** · 20-08-2009, 10:36am

Originally Posted by ##############

I didn't know there was a Maha charger with variable charge rates, that sounds like a very good idea. I had a smart charger that monitered temperature & voltage.... it still ate batteries, they were fairly warm once charged :-(
If the Maha works for you thats cool. I suspect your charger cost a lot more than mine plus an extra set of batteries so if you are organised my system costs less and still works well. I quite like having the extra batteries as backups, YMMV

Warm - yes but not hot. Some fast chargers leave the cells so hot you can almost burn your fingers - not good. The C9000 has negative delta V, peak voltage, dT/dt (temperature rise) and max temperature protection - it just works.

The C9000 is $89 plus postage from Jeff Servaas. Which is a great investment even if it only doubles your cell life. (Sounding like an advert again

)
Its also very good a reconditioning cells using the 'break-in' mode or 'refresh/analyse' both involve discharge cycles.
http://servaas.com.au/maha-powerex-m...yzer-p-52.html

If you are dependant on AA cells (and most of us are for at least our Flash units) then seriously look at the C9000.

**PROtog** · 20-08-2009, 12:03pm

Hi Guys

I thought I would join the conversation, seeing as you are talking about some of the test results published on our website.

Originally Posted by campo

I can guarantee my PowerEx 2700's don't go flat that quick...I shot a wedding on the gold coast almost two weeks ago and used a bit of flash at the reception and they're still going fine as of last night...

I would concur with this. I tested a set of 4 x Powerex 2700's that were over a year old. I charged them in a MH-C9000 and measured the capacity. I left them for 60 days, and then discharged them in the MH-C9000, and they had retained 84% of their charged capacity.

Cheers

Jeff

**kingwheatie** · 20-08-2009, 12:13pm

Some great info in your posts, just went and order a c-9000 charger and 2 sets of IMEDIONS from Servaas.

**OutCast** · 20-08-2009, 12:36pm

Originally Posted by servaasproducts

Hi Guys

I thought I would join the conversation, seeing as you are talking about some of the test results published on our website.

I would concur with this. I tested a set of 4 x Powerex 2700's that were over a year old. I charged them in a MH-C9000 and measured the capacity. I left them for 60 days, and then discharged them in the MH-C9000, and they had retained 84% of their charged capacity.

Cheers

Jeff

Jeff,

Thanks for the input - any chance of an aus photography discount code ...

cheers.

**PROtog** · 20-08-2009, 2:35pm

Originally Posted by ##############

RE: first link - Pity they didn't test Eneloops...

There are lots of independent tests comparing eneloop and powerex in flashes if you search. Nothing I can link to though.

The claim that Eneloops don't come with a battery holder is also incorrect - not sure about the twin packs, but the 4 packs come with a nice little holder. I don't sell batteries or have any connection with any battery co... unlike servaas lol

What holder did your eneloops come with? Maybe eneloops used to have a holder, but they don't now. Here is a picture of the packaging that eneloops are being delivered in since last year:

**Kym** · 20-08-2009, 2:39pm

For the record: I have no relationship with Jeff Servaas ... other than using product.

**imagemelbourne** · 20-08-2009, 6:13pm

Originally Posted by servaasproducts

There are lots of independent tests comparing eneloop and powerex in flashes if you search. Nothing I can link to though.

What holder did your eneloops come with? Maybe eneloops used to have a holder, but they don't now. Here is a picture of the packaging that eneloops are being delivered in since last year:

All the Eneloops I have bought from DSE have come with a clear clamshell clip together holder. There seems to be quite a range of packaging for them, it may depend where you buy them from. I haven't seen the packaging you show here until now. Confusing isn't it!

**bigdazzler** · 20-08-2009, 6:25pm

I bought a set of Sony 2500s to try out .. last weekend they lasted me about 6 hours and over 300 frames and still werent done with when I packed up.. very impressed

**bigdazzler** · 21-08-2009, 12:48pm

has anyone got the Maha 8 cell charger ??

I really want to get something that does more than 4 batteries at a time.

**lukiez** · 09-09-2009, 2:27pm

Hey guys,

I got a FL50R Flash (olympus) and was having a problem with the rechargeable batteries, i had 2000mhz Duracel rechargable batterys (NiMH). After the first charge i put them in, and they died within seconds... I then chucked them back in the charger, charged until it said it was ready by the led's and tryed them again. Same thing happened, i spoke to the guy at jbhifi and he said try charguing them for around 4 hours (it was a 30minute charger). Tryed again and died straight away so i took them back and have just been using Alkaline for a while which will get upto 500 flashes. Has anyone else ever experienced this with there flashes? Should i try a different brand with a higher Mh?

Also i checked the flash booklet and it states they can use NiMH Batterys?..

Thanks, Luke

**mikec** · 09-09-2009, 2:47pm

Originally Posted by lukiez

Hey guys,

I got a FL50R Flash (olympus) and was having a problem with the rechargeable batteries, i had 2000mhz Duracel rechargable batterys (NiMH). After the first charge i put them in, and they died within seconds... I then chucked them back in the charger, charged until it said it was ready by the led's and tryed them again. Same thing happened, i spoke to the guy at jbhifi and he said try charguing them for around 4 hours (it was a 30minute charger). Tryed again and died straight away so i took them back and have just been using Alkaline for a while which will get upto 500 flashes. Has anyone else ever experienced this with there flashes? Should i try a different brand with a higher Mh?

Also i checked the flash booklet and it states they can use NiMH Batterys?..

Thanks, Luke

Luke perhaps grab a different brand? I have a pair of eneloops (bought them for when I hired a flash) and they worked a treat, from the number of people here who recommended (and other forums) I say you couldn't go wrong with a set of them. They aren't super expensive either.

**lukiez** · 09-09-2009, 2:58pm

after reading everyones reviews i am going to purchase some eneloops like you suggested aswell mikec.. thanks fingers crossed its not my flash

**Kym** · 09-09-2009, 3:18pm

Originally Posted by lukiez

after reading everyones reviews i am going to purchase some eneloops like you suggested aswell mikec.. thanks fingers crossed its not my flash

Don't underestimate the value of a good charger. The cheap fast chargers will kill your cells!

**lukiez** · 09-09-2009, 3:22pm

Thanks for pointing me to this thread Kym missed it when searching

... i just went to dicksmith and got Eneloops and they came with a charger, will that charger be okay for these batterys?

**Kym** · 09-09-2009, 3:56pm

A battery manager is the answer. See above posts. The C9000 is one of the best and affordable. I have one. The Sanyo charger is just ok.

**etherial** · 09-09-2009, 7:57pm

Originally Posted by Kym

A battery manager is the answer. See above posts. The C9000 is one of the best and affordable. I have one. The Sanyo charger is just ok.

I'll second that, I just bought a MH-C9000 after reading this thread and it is brilliant. All of a sudden I know what my batteries are doing rather than just guessing with a quick charger.

Go buy one, you won't look back.

**etherial** · 09-09-2009, 7:58pm

I should add to that, thanks to Dave and Kym for your posts in this thread. I love my new charger!

**lukiez** · 09-09-2009, 8:04pm

Hey were can you purchase these other chargers? Is there any retailers besides online?

**Kym** · 09-09-2009, 8:23pm

Servaas is your best option - online but Aussie.

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