Rechargeable Batteries Canon A510

[jennyjay]

Hi:
I have a new Canon A 510 and am wondering if anyone knows if I can use any rechargeable NiMH batteries with it or if there is a chance of damaging the camera by using the wrong strength of Batteries?

[RossW]

As long as the voltage is correct, you can use batteries of varying power capacity. The camera draws power as needed, until the battery can no longer provide it. So a battery with lower power rating (e.g. 2000 mAh) and one with a higher rating (e.g. 2500 mAh) will both work OK... but the lower-power one would drain faster. (Those values are typical for NiMH AA batteries; I don't know what type the A 510 uses, but the principle is the same. Higher mAh ratings at the same voltage will last longer than lower-rated batteries.)

Note that I'm not suggesting mixing cells of different ratings... if your camera takes multiple AA cells, for example, you should try to use the same rating for each. If the 510 takes a single battery, then that's not an issue.

[USpenguin]

You may want to look into these: I just came across them myself.

Canon NiMH batteries (http://www.canoncompanystore.com/cgi-bin/annex.storefront?ProductDetail=6871A002AA)

[RossW]

You may want to look into these: I just came across them myself.

Canon NiMH batteries (http://www.canoncompanystore.com/cgi-bin/annex.storefront?ProductDetail=6871A002AA)

In the photo, those look like 1500 mAh batteries. If so, that's pretty pricey. I know you can get name-brand NiMH (like Energizer or Sony, etc.) in the 2300-2500 range for less. Typcially $4 (U.S.) per battery or less; $20 - 25 can score a 4-pack of AA batteries and a decent charger combo. A super-fast charger may cost more, but isn't necessary if you've got a couple of sets of batteries.

[Salleke]

In the photo, those look like 1500 mAh batteries. If so, that's pretty pricey. I know you can get name-brand NiMH (like Energizer or Sony, etc.) in the 2300-2500 range for less. Typcially $4 (U.S.) per battery or less; $20 - 25 can score a 4-pack of AA batteries and a decent charger combo. A super-fast charger may cost more, but isn't necessary if you've got a couple of sets of batteries.

I also advise Energizer 2500 mA batterie's. They will last very long. Canon batterie's and other accessoires
are way to expensive. Look at the price of a memory card from Sandisk or canon!

Good luck.

[RossW]

... Typcially $4 (U.S.) per battery or less; $20 - 25 can score a 4-pack of AA batteries and a decent charger combo. A super-fast charger may cost more, but isn't necessary if you've got a couple of sets of batteries.

Hmmm... quoting myself -- is that as bad as talking to yourself? :confused: Anyway, I just noticed one of the big-box office stores (e.g. Office Depot, etc.) has a sale flier in the Sunday paper this week promoting a 4-packs of NiMH AA (and AAA) batts for $10. I think they were Energizers, but don't remember for certain. They were name-brand, anyway. $2.50 (U.S.) per sounds like a deal to me!

[AthrunXT]

I suggest going to Wal-mart and picking up a pack of Rayovac 15 minute rechageables and a 15 minute charger. They last for a couple of days in my S1 Is and take only 15 minutes to charge.

[Bosman]

I also advise Energizer 2500 mA batterie's. They will last very long. Canon batterie's and other accessoires
are way to expensive. Look at the price of a memory card from Sandisk or canon!

Good luck.

Just bought those exact ones 2500maH with four batteries and charger at Walmart for$17.87. They have an off brand called "digital" for $9.83, I think they are 2200mAH. I went with the Energizers

[Salleke]

Hmmm... quoting myself -- is that as bad as talking to yourself? :confused: Anyway, I just noticed one of the big-box office stores (e.g. Office Depot, etc.) has a sale flier in the Sunday paper this week promoting a 4-packs of NiMH AA (and AAA) batts for $10. I think they were Energizers, but don't remember for certain. They were name-brand, anyway. $2.50 (U.S.) per sounds like a deal to me!

Yes it sounds like a very good deal but pay attention to the power. They must be at least 2200 mA.
Because the difference in price is very little but the difference in use time before recharging is big.

Good luck and happy shooting.

[Salleke]

Just bought those exact ones 2500maH with four batteries and charger at Walmart for$17.87. They have an off brand called "digital" for $9.83, I think they are 2200mAH. I went with the Energizers

You will have a lot of fun with these batterie's. Good luck and happy shooting.

[Bosman]

You will have a lot of fun with these batterie's. Good luck and happy shooting.

I bought them for my Speedlite 420ex I use with my G6. They did take about 8 hours to charge the first time. Does the time decrease at all?

[Salleke]

I suggest going to Wal-mart and picking up a pack of Rayovac 15 minute rechageables and a 15 minute charger. They last for a couple of days in my S1 Is and take only 15 minutes to charge.

Be very carefull with charging batterie's in 15 minutes. They can get very HOT. Wait at least 10 minutes before putting them in the camera.
IMHO when buying a charger the best way to go is to buy one that charge the batterie's in one hour or more.
Fast chargers will make batterie's burning hot and shorten the lifetime of the batterie's. Good luck.

[Salleke]

I bought them for my Speedlite 420ex I use with my G6. They did take about 8 hours to charge the first time. Does the time decrease at all?

The charge time the first time can be longer than normal. But mostly it depends on the charger you use.
But after a few charge and decharge cycles they will reach they'r full power.

[RossW]

... They have an off brand called "digital" for $9.83, I think they are 2200mAH. I went with the Energizers

I got a set of "digital" brand batteries for my first set, when I was in a hurry... big mistake! Two of the four don't take as high a charge as the other two, and lose power much faster. I stick to better-known brands now.