Speaking of batteries...

[283CID]

[try again] Does anybody have any information about how long a fully charged AA battery will remain 'good'...awaiting installation and use? I wonder if it's a function of the cost/quality?

This morning my wife's S2 announced it needed new batteries. She dug into her camera bag, brought out her set of four 'spares'...fully charged a few months ago... and the camera again announced it needed new batteries! I passed her my S3, and the job was done. Now I am charging several batteries.

We both use the 'optical' V/F and never have the LCD even open, unless we need a 'menu' for something, so we get a lot of life from the On-Air set. Tends to lull me into NOT checking the charge on the Ready Spares.

So if anybody has any *experience* with the shelf life of charged spares, I'd sure be interested in knowing what is what. EXPERIENCE, not 'SWAG'.

[ib2loud]

rechargeable batteries don't seem to hold a charge long at all, I have some that if they're out of the charger overnight, they're no good

[sm1rf]

Originally Posted by ib2loud

rechargeable batteries don't seem to hold a charge long at all, I have some that if they're out of the charger overnight, they're no good

that sounds like duff batteries to me, should get a couple of weeks out of a set of batteries before charge starts to drop off. i assume we are talking about Nimhbatteries and not cadmium or other type rechargables.

[283CID]

Yes... specifically, "Tenergy", 1.2v AA, 2600mAh , Nickel-Metal Hydride............$1.49 each.....

Oh...well..........

[283CID]

I'm beginning to think that the Better Way, is to more faithful in charging the Main batteries... and keep Duracell AA's in the bag for those 'emergency' times. Duracells are good for a few YEARS...[although are then throw-aways]. I sure don't like the idea of charged spares going flat on the shelf so soon. Heck, even with the BP-11'a for the G-1, the LiIon charged spares were good for many months.

Anyway, thanks...

[Jon]

Battery self-discharge rate (how fast they'll go flat just sitting around) for NiMH cells is about 1% per day. A few months is enough to kill it.

[283CID]

Thanks, Jon........ Well, I'm falling back onto good old Durcell for back-up. They will be ready to pull in the harness for.......... a long time. [And be a good boy and charge the Main AA's more often...]

[Jon]

I'd suggest picking up Energizer E2 lithiums instead. They do better in digicams than alkalines and also have an enormous shelf life, like 10 years. They're lighter, too.

[283CID]

Special charger? I've barely worn the shine off this $30 thing for the AA's.......

[TomPierce]

The self discharge rate measures how quickly a cell will lose charge while unused. Cell chemistry and room temperature are the biggest factors.

Cell Chemistry and Shelf Life (non-rechargable)
Zinc Carbon 2 to 3 years
Alkaline 5 years
Lithium 10 years or more

Cell Chemistry and Self Discharge Rates (rechargeable)
Lead Acid 4% to 6% per month
Nickel Cadmium 15% to 20% per month
Nickel Metal Hydride 30% per month
Lithium 2% to 3% per month

Best option is to use a charger which fully discharges and then charges the battery.

What I do is to run thru a discharge/charge cycle the night before an important shoot - that way I know that the batteries are ready for action.

And a spare set of non-rechargable Lithiums have saved my butt more than once...

Tom

[283CID]

Thanks, Tom... I knew of all but Lithium Ion info, from my 'working days'. 'Cycling' NiCads, etc. Likely I'll rely on COSTCO packs of Plain Old Duracells.... [keep a pile of them for wireless Mice, Keyboards, etc... El Cheapo...]

I appreciate the info....

[sonnyJ]

Removing batteries from camera seems to keep them charged for a longer period. Not sure why but inserts in several recharges I have purchased over the pst few years advise removing batteries from unit if not being used. May have something to with - when in camera contact made with both poles - My new lithium ion paperwork states :" Make shure you remove the battery from your camera when you do not plan to use the camera for a long while.A battery left in the camera discharges a very small amount of power even when camera powere is turned off, which can lead to over discharge (sic) of battery and make it unusable."

[chrysalis]

Panasonic is now sellling special NIMH batteries that they claim have very small self-discharge rates. I just bought 4 for my new S3IS.