Do you leave your rechargeable batteries in your Speedlites?

[Canonised]

...when its in dry box storage?

I have a habit of leaving the rechargeable batteries in the speedlites as I take them out about two times a week to use. But of late I noticed that after a week or two, even though the batteries were fully charged when I put them into the speedlights, the charge has gone completely flat. This did not happen in the past.

Does anyone else have the same experience or do people ALWAYS remove their batteries when they put their speedlights away? Does that sustain a longer life charge for the batteries?

Any information or help on this will be most appreciated!

Cheers

[TMR Design]

You might want to take a look at this thread if you haven't already done so. There's some very good info there.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=677074

[Canonised]

You might want to take a look at this thread if you haven't already done so. There's some very good info there.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=677074

Thanks very much for the link! I did a search but did not find this thread. Very useful information.

However, I also like to know though - does leaving the batteries in the speedlites drain the batteries faster than if they were removed (though it seems that they also discharge by itself over a matter of three weeks - according to that thread).

Cheers!

[1downfall]

i never take mine out. They work every time I go to use them....shocks me each time as well! My rechargeable work, work and keep on working....I never take them out unless I need to recharge.

[SYS]

However, I also like to know though - does leaving the batteries in the speedlites drain the batteries faster than if they were removed (though it seems that they also discharge by itself over a matter of three weeks - according to that thread).



Depending on what rechargeable batteries and for how long... The new pack of Powerex 2700 that I tested was surprisingly good after 3 weeks of shelf life, as good as right after a full charge. Energizer Rechargeable, on the other hand, you'd need to use them just about only after you charge them. If you're using eneloop or Imedion or such "low self-discharge" batteries, then I would suspect some sort of "current" flowing inside the Speedlite. I suspect, though, it's your battery brand...

[martinsmith]

I leave mine in and only remove to charge them. Sometimes months at a time and they work fine.

[dpds68]

I leave mine in and only remove to charge them. Sometimes months at a time and they work fine.

Same here .

[btmlinedan]

I use duracell's 2700 and energizers 2650's, in 5 flashes. Before I even load my pictures I get started on recharging my batteries. I have two seperate charges and usualyl just use 3 flashes on a shoot.

I've always thought about building an external SLA battery (6.5v 3aH battery) and attaching one to each light stand but it's just more money i don't need to spend

[dustyporch]

I used to have some kind of regular NiMh rechargable batteries in my 430EX, but I also kept finding that they would be dead when I went to use it (I might only use the flash every 2 or 3 weeks). Someone here recommended I switch to Sanyo Eneloops which are designed to better hold their charge when not in use.

My experience has been that the Eneloops are amazing! Months can go by, and when I switch the flash on, its ready to go. I can't even remember the last time I charged them because they go so long before needing it. I always do carry a spare set in the bag though...

[jcw122]

Your supposed to take batteries out of any electronics when they aren't being used for a while.

[agedbriar]

Your supposed to take batteries out of any electronics when they aren't being used for a while.

Indeed, that's what most electronics manufacturers advise.

But do you do that?

[jcw122]

Indeed, that's what most electronics manufacturers advise.

But do you do that?

I do with rechargeables, like my camera batteries.

[dpds68]

Your supposed to take batteries out of any electronics when they aren't being used for a while.

How long is a while ?

[canonphotog]

...when its in dry box storage?

I have a habit of leaving the rechargeable batteries in the speedlites as I take them out about two times a week to use. But of late I noticed that after a week or two, even though the batteries were fully charged when I put them into the speedlights, the charge has gone completely flat. This did not happen in the past.

Does anyone else have the same experience or do people ALWAYS remove their batteries when they put their speedlights away? Does that sustain a longer life charge for the batteries?

Any information or help on this will be most appreciated!

Cheers

I don't use "drybox storage". I do leave my rechargable batteries in my flashes, fully charged and ready to shoot. If it's been more than a month since I used a flash that I think I will need. I pull the batteries, top them off and put them back.

[vivala1210]

I take it out and charge them and place them back into their original packaging and when using the flash, i just pop them back in.

[Tee Why]

I generally take them out and store them separately. Too scared about them leaking out and corroding.

[lukeap69]

I just leave my eneloops on my speedlites and speedlights until I need to charge them.

[Mil]

How long is a while ?
Good question

[Curtis N]

Your supposed to take batteries out of any electronics when they aren't being used for a while.Two possible reasons for such advice:

1) Sometimes batteries leak and can damage the equipment they're in. This is mostly a problem with cheap alkaline batteries. I recall reading some sort of guarantee from Duracell where they promised to pay for replacement of anything damaged if their batteries leaked (not sure if they still offer this). I've never known this to happen with rechargeables.

2) Some electronic equipment will slowly drain batteries even when turned off (for instance, something with an internal clock). This isn't a problem with flash units.

I like my camera gear to be ready when I need it without a lot of fuss. Batteries stay in until they're dead or I decide to charge them.

[Canonised]

Looks like the norm is to leave the batteries inside the speedlites.

I noticed of late that my rechargeables seem to run out faster and faster. But if I charged them fully the night before, they seem to last quite a long time. Its just that they do not seem to retain their charge long. I wonder if this is a symptom of the batteries reaching their end of life/use.

Can anyone confirm this is the behaviour of rechargeable batteries that need replacing?

Cheers

[ZSutton]

I usually just leave them in, and charge them before using them again. But then again, they get use about once a week or so...so they're usually on the charger anyway

[SYS]

Looks like the norm is to leave the batteries inside the speedlites.

I noticed of late that my rechargeables seem to run out faster and faster. But if I charged them fully the night before, they seem to last quite a long time. Its just that they do not seem to retain their charge long. I wonder if this is a symptom of the batteries reaching their end of life/use.

Can anyone confirm this is the behaviour of rechargeable batteries that need replacing?

Cheers

What is your battery brand?

[Curtis N]

I noticed of late that my rechargeables seem to run out faster and faster. But if I charged them fully the night before, they seem to last quite a long time. Its just that they do not seem to retain their charge long. I wonder if this is a symptom of the batteries reaching their end of life/use.Definitely.

[Canonised]

What is your battery brand?

POWEREX. 8 pcs.
All of them have that issue. Oddly enough, none of my other batteries (Eneloop, Sanyo has that problem and they are just as old). Possibly they get used more I guess.

So - just to confirm this - evidence of end of life of rechargeables is the inability to retain their charge over a longer period. Not the amount of charge it can fully achieve? My batteries still go all the way to 2600mAh. Go figure.

[SYS]

POWEREX. 8 pcs.
All of them have that issue. Oddly enough, none of my other batteries (Eneloop, Sanyo has that problem and they are just as old). Possibly they get used more I guess.

If your batteries are Powerex 2700, then their self-discharge rate is going to be faster than other low self-discharging batteries like eneloop and their cousin, Powerex Imedion. I don't know how many times you've gone through the charge cycles with your Powerex, but if they happen to lose charge pretty fast (let's say within a week or two), then their lives are coming to an end. So how long do they take before they seem to lose charge significantly?

[Canonised]

If your batteries are Powerex 2700, then their self-discharge rate is going to be faster than other low self-discharging batteries like eneloop and their cousin, Powerex Imedion. I don't know how many times you've gone through the charge cycles with your Powerex, but if they happen to lose charge pretty fast (let's say within a week or two), then their lives are coming to an end. So how long do they take before they seem to lose charge significantly?

When they were new, they seem to last like forever. Now, they power down to less than half their life within 10 days. Looks like its time to buy replacements :-(

[SYS]

When they were new, they seem to last like forever. Now, they power down to less than half their life within 10 days. Looks like its time to buy replacements :-(

Yup, you must have used your Powerex for quite some time now. They're still useful if you charge shortly before the shoot. You might want to give Powerex Imedions a try if you're planning on getting new batteries. They're not as powerful as Powerex 2700 but more powerful than eneloops while self-discharge rate being low...

[Az2Africa]

I just leave my eneloops on my speedlites and speedlights until I need to charge them.

Same here.

[scorpio_e]

I leave mine in..Ready to go.