550EX and external power source

[Thomas]

1. Has anyone tried to power the 550EX using a small (three type C batteries) size 6V rechargeable lead battery? Would it be safe to operate the flash this way? Those lead batteries are very inexpensive :D .
Can you buy an external power source cable for the 550EX?

2. Do the rechargeable NiMh batteries perform well with the 550EX? I just do not want to spend $400 on a battery pack at a local camera store.

Regards,

Thomas

[chris.bailey]

I have two sets of the latest high capacity NiMh batteries for my 550EX and they work very well indeed. I reckon on getting as many shots as I would from a set of standard alkaline. I have had the first set 18 months or so and they have been through 50-60 recharge cycles with no real signs of getting past it. The only problem is the power fall of is faster than with alkaline i.e. with alkaline the flash cycle gets slower and slower over 20 or so cycles. With the NiMh when it starts slowing down you only get half a dozen before they have had it, hence the second set.

[JoeTampa]

I bought a "Digital Camera Battery" pack. It powers both my studio lights when I am in the field as well as my 550EX. Works well.

[WestFalcon]

Buy a quantum battery one and the proper cord. $150 or so.....or find a used one on Ebay for cheap and then if you want to replace the batteries in it, take it to Batteries Plus and they carry the exact same batteries. They will even solder them in place for you for the price of the batteries. I think you can redo the batteries for less than $30 and you have a new unit. You may be able to pick a quantum unit up of 50 -75 buck on Ebay...battery condition doesn't matter. That's what I would and have done. I have 4 units that I use at every wedding...work great!!