Question about NiMH batteries?

[Akaz1976]

I assume NiMH batteries are the best for Digital Cameras. But are there particular brands that are better than others? Are there any other specs that need to be considered? What does 1600 mAH mean?

I was just looking to buy batteries for my PS A40 and need some info

THanks

Akaz

 

[RonRPh]

A link to look at about a higher capacity battery. http://www.dpreview.com/news/0212/02122601mh4aa200bbattery.asp

 

[Akaz1976]

does 2000 mAH mean it will last longer than 1600 mAH?

Akaz

 

[Davegod]

for what it's worth my digital camera manual says only to use nimh & alkaline batteries; so your assumption would be right

 

[sciencewhiz]

Yes, 2000 MaH batteries will last longer then 1600 MaH ones. MaH stands for milli-amp hours. It is (in easy terms) how many milliamps (measure of current) that the battery can average for one hour, before it is out. So, a 1600 MaH battery can average 1600 milliamps for one hour, and the 2000 MaH ones can average 2000. If you camera only uses 500 ma, then the 1600 will last a little bit over 3 hours, while the 2000 will last 4 hours.

There are a lot of factors that come into play, though, so that is only a very simplified explanation, that isn't even entirely true, but it gets the point across

 

[Akaz1976]

Okie thanx.

The shop downstairs has following:

Maxel 1600 mAH 4pk for $25
Optex 1800mAH 4pk with Battery Charger (charges 4 batts in 6 hours) $40

Now i have heard of Maxel brand before while havnt heard of Optex before. But at the same time Optex batts have better specs and has a charger that i need. SO i am thinking of going with that. (since they dont have any 2000 mAH)

Anything else i should be considering?

Akaz

 

[bigjon]

Yes, NIMH batteries are best in situations where large surges of current are needed for a short period of time (i.e., the flash of your camera, radio control vehicles, etc). NIMH lose roughly 3% of their charge every day, so they aren't the best solution for long-term use in clocks, etc.

Amps (and milliamps) are a measure of current being pulled by the device. When your camera is on it will only pull a little current, but when you snap a picture the flash pulls a ton of current for a split second. NIMH cells are well suited to this kind of use. NICD (nickel cadmium) cells are also good for high current-dump applications but can build a memory (unlike NIMH). In other words, you have to drain the battery completely before recharging it or over time it will cease to hold a good charge. NIMH cells don't care - they work fine when you top off the charge every so often (which would be good to do right before a photo shoot).

1600mah is good - the 2000s are better (but more expensive). I've had great luck with the Rayovac 1600s at Wal-Mart as well as with the 1600 mah Energizers.

Hope this helps!
Jon

 

[Slickone]

How do LiIon batteries compare?

 

[bigjon]

The best charger I've seen (I've had one for over a year and it rocks) is the Rayovac 1-hour charger for only $29 (Walmart link again - no I don't work for them ). It can safely charge NICD or NIMH cells in 1 hour because it checks the levels of each cell independently every 6 seconds! When each cell has charged, the charger supplies a trickle current to it to keep it full (offsetting the 3% daily discharge). If you put a fully-charged battery and 3 empty batteries into the charger, the fully-charged battery will stop charging within a few seconds, while the other 3 will charge (for up to an hour). Also, you can leave the batteries in the charger for as long as you want because of the auto-shutoff feature.

I have about 40 of the Rayovac 1600mah AA and AAA batteries and the 1-hour charger, and can't stress enough how much this combo works! Try it - you won't be disappointed Plus, you can always return stuff to Walmart if it sucks

 

[Akaz1976]

Ok dont have a Walmart near by

So i bought Duracel 1800mAH rechargers with a 6 hour (with 4 AA batts) recharger.

Now i have two questions more

1. Is it safe just to leave the batteries in the recharger? or is that a fire hazard?
2. Does the new battery pack need to be charged? or does it come charged?

Akaz

 

[Drewpy]

Your new batteries need to be charged. As was mentioned before, just sitting around they tend to lose a little of their charge, so sitting on a shelf they would not be fully charged when you bought them. For this reason they do not come charged, and must be charged for their first use. There should be instructions on how long to charge them for their first use. The initial charge time is usually longer than the recharge time.

I would recommend taking them out of the charger once they are fully charged. If your charger is smart, it will reduce to a trickle charge once the full charge has been reached to maintain them at full charge. Leaving them in the charger is not good unless your charger has this feature. however, I would not expect this to be the case with a cheap set of batteries and charger. My $300 bike light does support this, I doubt your Duracell's do. However, read the instructions in any case.

 

[bigjon]

The batteries are uncharged so you'll have to charge them up before use. Whether or not the charger will overcharge batteries depends on whether or not it samples the battery to see when it's charged, has a built-in timer to auto-shutoff the charging circuit (after 6 hours in your case), or continues charging until you unplug it. If yours is the latter (which I doubt) then there would be a fire hazard risk if you left it plugged in. Better check the manual to make certain that it will auto-shutoff.

 

[bluntman]

I am a digital camera buff and a good place to buy top quality batteries and chargers is through Thomas Distributing. I bought two sets of PowerEX 1800s and a Maha conditioner/charger from the earlier this summer. They now have a set of PowerEX 2000s and the new Maha 100minute "cool charger" available.

 

[nowayout99]

I've been enjoying the IPowerUS batteries... 750 mAh AAA batts and 2100 mAh AA batts (probably the largest capacity on the market).

They sell for a bit of a premium, but they pack a lot of power.

NewEgg Linky

 

[VTrider]

I agree w/bluntman, check out Thomas Distributing - I've been buying rechargeable batteries and chargers there for years. They have great prices, info and service. I use those Powerex 1800s and the MAHA C204F charger (great combo!) and couldn't be happier.

-VTrider