Yongnuo flash batteries

Photographed a pageant this past weekend and ran into a problem with my Yongnuo flash and eneloop batteries. The first set of batteries performed flawlessly but when they begin to slow I changed them out for some freshly charged ones and they would not power the flash. Changed them out with another set of freshly charged ones and still nothing. Tonight was the first chance I have had to check things out. I put the same batteries in the flash and everything work perfectly. What is going on with this?

My first guess would be did the flash or the batteries overheat? Not enough info--which YN flash? What kind of charger did you use, and how long ago were the batteries charged?

Regards,

110yd

Flash was working fine but the recycle period was slower with the batteries so I opted for fresh ones. The batteries were charged the night before with the Eneloop charger. The flash was the YN565EX. Never had any issues with batteries or flash until the other night.

I have used the YN565EX and YN568ex without issues. If the batteries were fully charged I would guess the temp sensor in the flash was trying to slow you down...Were you discharging the flash rapidly?

Regards,

110yd

I was hitting on the flash pretty hard but as soon as I put the original batteries back in the ones I had just taken out it worked fine. I just worry about dependability in the middle of a session.

mdaddyrabbit wrote in post #16444008
I was hitting on the flash pretty hard but as soon as I put the original batteries back in the ones I had just taken out it worked fine. I just worry about dependability in the middle of a session.

The indicators (from my perspective with the given info) is that the flash was shutting down from heat. Did you notice when you took the batteries out if they felt warm? If you are discharging the flash somewhat rapidly the batteries warm up considerably. The flash has a temp sensor circuit that will shut down the operation. If you regularly have to shoot in this mode, it might be time to do some tests to figure out the limits...Or possibly use multiple flashes...

Hope this helps,

110yd

Use regular Energizer alkaline batteries, it won't get so hot that quick. That and a Godox external power pack will be a huge help, I recently did a shoot w this setup and No overheating. A nighttime runners event.

Interesting. It sounds like the flash was overheating. I've never had issues with my YNs where they stopped working after I put in a new set of batteries. I have managed to shut one down by overheating but it was fine after cooling down. Don't remember how long I let it sit though, I swapped in another flash.
jkdjedi seems to have the fix!

Taking batteries out, replacing them with others that don't work and then replacing them with originals and the flash works again sounds like bad replacement cells.
Remember the cells are in series going into the speedlite, so one bad cell with keep the speedlite from working.

What you didn't include is information about speedlite performance with the original cells put back into the speedlite. If it was still slow recycling, it implies the cells were wearing out which added credence to the idea that your replacement included bad cells. If it started recycling faster again, it suggests that the thermal protection circuit was working. Which diminishes likelihood that your replacements included bad cells.

As for chargers, the eneloop included charger is not one I would recommend if you are serious about taking care of your cells.

dmward wrote in post #16449490
Taking batteries out, replacing them with others that don't work and then replacing them with originals and the flash works again sounds like bad replacement cells.
Remember the cells are in series going into the speedlite, so one bad cell with keep the speedlite from working.

What you didn't include is information about speedlite performance with the original cells put back into the speedlite. If it was still slow recycling, it implies the cells were wearing out which added credence to the idea that your replacement included bad cells. If it started recycling faster again, it suggests that the thermal protection circuit was working. Which diminishes likelihood that your replacements included bad cells.

As for chargers, the eneloop included charger is not one I would recommend if you are serious about taking care of your cells.

After I put the old ones back in the recycle time remained the same in that it was slow.
What is better than the eneloop included charger?

I have three of these: http://www.greenbatter​ies.com/mhc801d.html

There are other options as well. What I like is that, when the batteries are inserted, the charger shows their residual charge. And then also shows how fast they are recharged to full capacity. That helps identify cells that are getting marginal before they fail.

I use a Powerex/Maha charger. The model supports more features than most users normally need. It has been a valuable tool in detecting "faulty batteries". The model is MH-C9000.
I just noticed David's suggestion was also a Powerex/Maha charger.


110yd

I think they are the first choice charger for most.

Owning both 565 and 568, I would say as the above statements overheating is the issue. This happened with my new 600. I wasn't rapid firing but come to find out , that wouldn't be the only cause of slow recycle and/or overheating. If, by your camera settings and "bounce" technique (I was bouncing of tent during reception at wedding) you are making the flash unit work to hard, then it will take longer to recycle and lead to overheating issues. Hope this helps you a bit.

I was bouncing off a 14ft ceiling so I was working it really hard. I was just thrown off because when I added the fresh batteries it wouldn't work at all. In the heat of the shoot I was really sweating without a working flash so I had no time to troubleshoot.