Energizer Ultimate Lithium in a 580EXII - Batteries hot enough to burn my hand

I used some Energizer Ultimate Lithiums in my 580EXII flash today and probably took around 40-50 flashes. When I took the batteries out they were hot enough to burn my hand, they were almost red hot.

Luckily I didn't keep on taking shots, I'm sure that if I had the 580EXII would have sustained some damage.

Has anyone else ever used Energizer Ultimate Lithiums?

I do not suggest using lithium batteries in a flash unit of any brand. Use Eneloops or a similar brand. The lithiums are great pop for the money, but their heat is dangerous in a flash. I've seen the same problems you saw with multiple brands of lithium batteries.

Understanding batteries and battery technology is important, especially with devices like hot shoe flashes.

Lithium batteries are NOT recommended.

Hmm - I was reading about those lithium batteries and cant understnad why that happens. I never tried, but when i read the technical specifications of the lithium cells I would have done it without any doubt.
Is there someone who knows why its not possible to use it in a flash?

Heat.

fotoworx wrote in post #12337853
I used some Energizer Ultimate Lithiums in my 580EXII flash today and probably took around 40-50 flashes. When I took the batteries out they were hot enough to burn my hand, they were almost red hot.

Luckily I didn't keep on taking shots, I'm sure that if I had the 580EXII would have sustained some damage.

Has anyone else ever used Energizer Ultimate Lithiums?

I started out with alkalines and switched to Eneloops.

If they're too hot to handle then that definitely can't be good. This article states "Avoid HEAT"

http://electronics.how​stuffworks.com/lithium​-ion-battery2.htm

Remember those battery recalls on laptops?

Blurr Cube wrote in post #12339421
I started out with alkalines and switched to Eneloops.

If they're too hot to handle then that definitely can't be good. This article states "Avoid HEAT"

http://electronics.how​stuffworks.com/lithium​-ion-battery2.htm

Remember those battery recalls on laptops?

I guess its not the same. Those Batteries the TO spoke of are made to be used as AA-size batteries and they are not to be reload.
I dont understand at all that they dont work in a flash.

Blurr Cube wrote in post #12339421
Remember those battery recalls on laptops?

Thats lithium ion, not lithium. Lithium batteries at 1.5V are generally copper or iron sulfide. The issue is not het, so much as heat caused by rapid discharge - like with a flash. They have a very, very high discharge rate, and when you suck it all up at once... bad times.

Most consumer batteries have some sort of discharge protection, but still, lithiums don't fit well for this application.

Certain batteries just aren't able to keep up with the very fast (and high cap.) discharge of theses flashes. Those just happen to be the ones. They are meant for a longer life at a slower discharge rate. I'd rather have to carry a few sets a $10 AA's with me than risk melting my $500 flash (especially when it's next to my face).

Just another thing to remember, a battery can explode if it gets too hot (even with a discharge protection circuit built-in).

Wow... I neeed to check this out on my 580EXII

NG8JGFX wrote in post #12340892
Wow... I neeed to check this out on my 580EXII

Yes, do, nice.

I USE APPLE rechargeable batteries!

The Energizer Ultimate Lithium (BLUE PACKAGING) are much stronger batteries, and for that reason they get very hot. You don't want to use those, you want the NiMH one. Less power, but will not melt your gear.

I use regular Energizer NiMH (GREEN PACKAGING) rechargeable batteries, and they work fine.
They are super cheap if you buy them in bulk. I have used them in long shoots, all day long with no issues. If you are using full power, they last about 1.5-2 hours on a 580 EXII -- so I keep a box of about 50 in my camera bag. Yes, they do feel hot after 2 hours, but not anywhere near burning. If you feel more comfortable, change them out every hour.

A dedicated external battery is probably the best way to power flashes, will last longer with less heat. I will probably go that route soon, but in the mean time - cheap AA rechargeable work fine.

I used to use the Eneloops batteries, but they just cost too much. I can get two sets of Energizers for less.

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Thanks for all the feedback.

I got a real shock when I took the batteries out. They did actually burn my hand. I can only imagine what would have happened had I kept on using them.