Eneloop AA's have the oomph to power my digicam?

[Muse]

My P&S Samsung Digimax V3 uses 2 AA's. There are other power options, but this is most cost effective and convenient. I've had it over 6 years and it's always been finicky about AA's. Only NiMH will work in it and they have to be quite powerful or I only get a few shots if any before the camera will automatically power off and I have to replace the batteries.

I bought 8 Powerex ~2400 mah AA's soon after buying the camera and initially they were great and I would get over 100 shots before the camera would power down. I'd carry an extra pair with me.

Lately, the batteries no longer provide the power for many shots. They lose charge fairly quickly like most NiMH (~30% in a month's time just sitting around, unless frozen, which I've taken to doing), and I too often experience shutdown either immediately or after just a handful of shots. Eneloops have the advantage of holding their charge a lot longer than "ordinary" NiMH. Do they provide enough power to keep my "finicky" Samsung Digimax V3 digicam working for extended sessions?

 

[jpeyton]

Eneloops will work great.

That said, a set of Eneloops are probably worth more than your 7 year old digicam.

 

[corkyg]

I use Eneloops in all my digicams as well as some computer components. Their lifespan is excellent, and recharge is so easy. They should run your Smasung P&S.

 

[Jester666]

Couple years ago, I bought a Kodak P&S (POS too) that was very finicky about batteries too. Drove me absolutely nuts, sometimes the same batteries would work, sometimes they wouldn't. I finally ended up buying a CR-V3 lithium ion rechargable kit off ebay for ~$15. Never had any problems again. I think the Samsung V3 can take these batteries too. This will definitely save you headaches.

 

[Muse]

Couple years ago, I bought a Kodak P&S (POS too) that was very finicky about batteries too. Drove me absolutely nuts, sometimes the same batteries would work, sometimes they wouldn't. I finally ended up buying a CR-V3 lithium ion rechargable kit off ebay for ~$15. Never had any problems again. I think the Samsung V3 can take these batteries too. This will definitely save you headaches.

Lithium ion rechargables make me fret. NiMH rechargables, I just charge, maybe freeze (unless they are low discharge), and use or store until use. But the Lithium ions worry me because they deteriorate faster when near top charge. Life expectancy if you don't baby them is maybe a couple of years. So, I wind up trying to charge them maybe 75% and keep them around 40% charge and refrigerated unless I'm using them soon. At $15, maybe it's worth it, but I'd need a couple. 2 pairs of Eneloops, would be cheaper and maybe give me reasonably similar service.

 

[Muse]

Eneloops will work great.

That said, a set of Eneloops are probably worth more than your 7 year old digicam.

It's still the only digicam I've ever owned. Probably have an entry level DSLR pretty soon, but I'll probably be using the Samsung P&S a lot anyway.

I'll put the Powerex AA's out to pasture in some of my AA using flashlights.

Edit:

That said, a set of Eneloops are probably worth more than your 7 year old digicam.

I can get 4 Eneloops AA's at Amazon shipped free for $10.55:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IV2WAW/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=A19DY5EK03NION

Edit2: Well, every time I hit the URL I get a different price ($10.59, $11 + change), but when I added it to my Amazon cart it came up $10.55, free shipping so that's what I guess I'll get if I pay for it now.

Edit3: Yup, that's what I did.

If you want to buy them (or anything, I guess) at Amazon, do a search there and compare the hits. That's how I found it. It didn't say free shipping at the hit link, but when I hit the link, free shipping came up. Not "Super Saver Shipping," but the vendor's own, so no $25 minimum.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Buy the Eneloops! Or any pre-charged NiMH's really, they've got it down to a science now.

 

[Muse]

Buy the Eneloops! Or any pre-charged NiMH's really, they've got it down to a science now.

I just got the Eneloops (4 for $10.55 shipped from Amazon), but saw some Duracell's for cheaper, don't figure they're long life, though.

The first long life NiMH's I bought were Rayovac Hybrid, 8 AA's and 8 AAA's. My impression is that they aren't so great. I didn't wind up using the AA's in my P&S. Don't recall now, but they evidently didn't have enough power. I know that Eneloops have a better reputation. I got the Rayovac's over 3 years ago when the technology was very new. Maybe they're better now. I posted here because I didn't know just how powerful the Eneloops are. On the basis of the responses here I figure they're probably going to work. Have my fingers crossed.

 

[Lemon law]

If your rechargeable batteries do not retain their original capacity, its very possibly the fault or your charger overcharging the battery and damaging it.

Fast charger are good for rapidly charging batteries, but if they do not sense when near full charge is reached and switch to a trickle charge, kiss your battery goodbye.

 

[Muse]

If your rechargeable batteries do not retain their original capacity, its very possibly the fault or your charger overcharging the battery and damaging it.

Fast charger are good for rapidly charging batteries, but if they do not sense when near full charge is reached and switch to a trickle charge, kiss your battery goodbye.

Yes, I'm aware of this. In fact, I used to use the 200 ma (lowest) charge rate on my La Crosse BC-900 charger (also bought at Amazon), until I heard that this charger has a problem recognizing termination signs at that charge rate. After finding this out I started charging all my NiMH's at 500 ma. I always use this charger although I have several others. My batteries may have suffered some damage from overcharging before I changed my charge rate. I never use fast chargers. But a slower charger can also overcharge NiMH batteries if termination is missed.

 

[Jester666]

I have eneloops but they don't work in the kodak. they work fine in my Nikon though. they're worth a try because you can use them in pretty much anything else if they don't work out. But for me, those CR-V3s have been great.

 

[Lemon law]

The other thing to point out there are now basically two types of nickel hydride batteries.
The higher capacity ones that lose up to 3% of their charge every day when unused, or the envelope types that retain much of their charge after a year. The latter type are basically rated a 2000 miiliamp hours and the high loss types at rated at 2700.

Its somewhat a nobrainer, use the higher capacity batteries if you expect maximum battery performance immediately after charging, and use low discharge ones when you don't use your Camera everyday.

 

[syee]

I just got the Eneloops (4 for $10.55 shipped from Amazon), but saw some Duracell's for cheaper, don't figure they're long life, though.

The first long life NiMH's I bought were Rayovac Hybrid, 8 AA's and 8 AAA's. My impression is that they aren't so great. I didn't wind up using the AA's in my P&S. Don't recall now, but they evidently didn't have enough power. I know that Eneloops have a better reputation. I got the Rayovac's over 3 years ago when the technology was very new. Maybe they're better now. I posted here because I didn't know just how powerful the Eneloops are. On the basis of the responses here I figure they're probably going to work. Have my fingers crossed.

If I'm not mistaken, the Duracells are actually rebranded Eneloops - they're made in Japan, the casing is exactly the same as the Eneloops - the only thing being a different sticker on the outside.

I know a lot of folks on Candlepower Forums have looked into it and can confirm.

Thomas Distributing has a whole bunch of different brand precharged batteries if you're looking for alternate brands. They're a little bit cheaper, but to be honest, Eneloops have worked so well for me that I've bought nothing else. (well, I did buy one set of Duracell's recently because they were on sale locally and can tell you they are identical to Eneloops as well)

 

[shortylickens]

Eneloops are great, and if your camera takes AA's it will probably run just fine on them.
Having said that, if ANY gadget has a special Li-ion battery pack available for it, thats probably what you should use.
My Sony P50 is the same way. Sucked up alkalines like popcorn, ran through NiMH in a reasonable time, but goes forever on the Sony battery pack.

 

[ElFenix]

eneloops are compatible with my lacrosse charger, correct?

 

[Lemon law]

Eneloops are great, and if your camera takes AA's it will probably run just fine on them.
Having said that, if ANY gadget has a special Li-ion battery pack available for it, thats probably what you should use.
My Sony P50 is the same way. Sucked up alkalines like popcorn, ran through NiMH in a reasonable time, but goes forever on the Sony battery pack.

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I totally agree with you shorty L., the problem is there are no real AA size rechargeable lithium batteries available in the 1.5 volt range. Wish there were, but last time I checked, nothing even close exists on the market.

 

[Kirby64]

eneloops are compatible with my lacrosse charger, correct?

Eneloops or any other 'precharged' NiMH batteries don't need a special charger. Just use any old NiMH charger.

So yes, they should work with your lacrosse charger, assuming it fits AA batteries

 

[Muse]

I have eneloops but they don't work in the kodak. they work fine in my Nikon though. they're worth a try because you can use them in pretty much anything else if they don't work out. But for me, those CR-V3s have been great.

Ah, well I have my fingers crossed. I guess what's apt to happen (I'm guessing here, of course) is that they'll work decently for a while and after a while (who knows how long) they'll have unacceptable performance (i.e. take 20 shots and then the camera shuts down). I'll see...

Eneloops are great, and if your camera takes AA's it will probably run just fine on them.
Having said that, if ANY gadget has a special Li-ion battery pack available for it, thats probably what you should use.
My Sony P50 is the same way. Sucked up alkalines like popcorn, ran through NiMH in a reasonable time, but goes forever on the Sony battery pack.

This Samsung V3 P&S digicam came with a Lithium battery pack but it wasn't rechargable. Maybe I'll get rechargeable Li-ions (i.e. a couple of integrated battery packs so I have a backup) if I can find them cheap enough if the Eneloops don't work out. This camera has never worked for a second IIRC with any alkalines.

 

[Muse]

eneloops are compatible with my lacrosse charger, correct?

Probably, but as a precaution I would always use 500 ma charge rate. That's what I'm going to do, for sure. Otherwise you risk the charger missing the termination signal, and I imagine that this isn't good for Eneloops either. You can post (or check the threads) at Candle Power Forums for the real skinny. Those guys are really into it.

 

[shortylickens]

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I totally agree with you shorty L., the problem is there are no real AA size rechargeable lithium batteries available in the 1.5 volt range. Wish there were, but last time I checked, nothing even close exists on the market.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Thats not what I meant. I meant IF your device also takes a special lithium Ion batter pack, then THAT would be the better thing to use, if you have it. You are correct about AA and AAA lithium Ions, those do not exist so far as I know.

 

[Ksyder]

If I'm not mistaken, the Duracells are actually rebranded Eneloops - they're made in Japan, the casing is exactly the same as the Eneloops - the only thing being a different sticker on the outside.

I know a lot of folks on Candlepower Forums have looked into it and can confirm.

Thomas Distributing has a whole bunch of different brand precharged batteries if you're looking for alternate brands. They're a little bit cheaper, but to be honest, Eneloops have worked so well for me that I've bought nothing else. (well, I did buy one set of Duracell's recently because they were on sale locally and can tell you they are identical to Eneloops as well)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-me...e=UTF8&index=0

If this is correct, it is looking like the white topped ones are eneloops, but the different colored ones are not.

 

[Supersonic64]

Eneloops are great, I use them in my Pentax K200D and they last forever.

 

[Muse]

Eneloops are great, I use them in my Pentax K200D and they last forever.

Well, my Eneloops (4x AA) arrived, needed a boost to run my Samsung Digimax V3 P&S, and I put them in my La Crosse BC-900 charger, set the charge rate to 500ma, and after reading "Full" put them in the P&S. Showed full battery power, but after maybe a dozen shots, the camera shut down. D:

 

[acx]

Could be the camera. Try a set of non rechargeable AAs and if the same thing happens you know its not the batteries.

 

[Muse]

Could be the camera. Try a set of non rechargeable AAs and if the same thing happens you know its not the batteries.

No, this camera would never work with alkaline AA's, they just can't provide the power it needs. From day one this was the case.