Can I use rechargable AA batteries in my Speedlight 430?

I have a Speedlight 430EX.

I just spent $100 having it repaired because the Alkaline AA batteries leaked.

Once bitten, twice shy, now I am thinking of batteries that don’t leak. I understand that rechargeable lithium batteries fit that bill, but the voltage is 1.2 rather than the normal 1.5 for Alkaline.

Looking at the way the batteries go into the speedlight - up/down/up/down - leads me to believe that they are in series. Multiplied by 4 batteries, the flash is expecting 6 volts. The lithiums will put out 4.8 volts.

Does 4.8 volts reach the threshold of charging the flash? What about recycle speed with 20% of the power gone? Does anyone actually use rechargeable? What is your experience?

Thanks,

Rad

I would be very surprised if the number of users here who use rechargeables does not outnumber the alkaline users by fifty to one or more.

NIMH rechargeables like Eneloops are what I use and are probably the number one choice here. They also have a 1.2v rating.

I have personally never used anything else and would only resort to alkalines in an emergency.

Lithium primaries have a higher voltage than alkalines. NiMH cells are 1.2V nominal and are preferred over either lithium or alkaline in flashes. Eneloop, or Duracell Precharged or ION Core, all NiMH, are good choices along with an independent channel charger.

I use rechargeable Energizer NiMH batteries in my Speedlite 430EX. I've never had a problem. They cycle fine and the flash works when I need it to work.

I've also used alkalines, and I've really never noticed any difference. From what I understand, NiMH batteries cycle quicker than alkalines, but I've really never noticed any practical difference.

Radtech1 wrote in post #17364580
What about recycle speed with 20% of the power gone? ..../

NiMH rechargeable batteries actually have a faster recycle time in speedlights than alkaline batteries because of their lower internal resistance (I've tested them). I normally use NiMH for my speedlights, and carry some alkalines in my camera bag as a backup. Also, I ALWAYS remove the batteries from my speedlights when they're not in use (as I suspect you will from now on).

NOT 'rechargeable lithiums' AA...rechargeable lithium put out too high voltage, and are largely used in laptops, for example, although 3.6V AA rechargeable lithiums do exist
http://www.atbatt.com …MmX6qLf-cICFTBgMgod1RwAig
...makes you wonder what they could be used in?!

non-rechargeable lithium AA...those do put out 1.5V (nominal rating by manufacturer) although under certain conditions you can see 1.6V

Highly recommend the long life, pre-charged rechargeables such as Eneloops....they hold most of their charge for up to a year. Avoid the high capacity 2500mAh rechargeables that lose up to 4% of their charge per day.

According to Panasonic, makers of Eneloops, NiMh cells maintain a higher voltage in use than alkalines.

http://panasonic.net/e​nergy/eneloop/sg/?p=fa​q

Basically, low self-discharge NiMh cells are awesome and are a great alternative to alkaline cells. I probably own several dozen and use them in anything that uses a lot of power. I use 1.5v lithiums in devices with extremely low rates of power consumption, like remote controls, where even Eneloops would self-discharge sooner than I'd like. I'm in the process of ridding myself of alkalines due to their tendency to leak.

Carpe Lux wrote in post #17365088
Highly recommend the long life, pre-charged rechargeables such as Eneloops....they hold most of their charge for up to a year. Avoid the high capacity 2500mAh rechargeables that lose up to 4% of their charge per day.

The high capacity NiMHs are good when you want maximum capacity and can charge them the night before use. Event shooters come to mind here.

Use eneloops in my flash. They come off the charger with 1.47 V and go down to 0.9 V empty. They are superior to alkaline in almost any aspect. Also good, but expensive are the 1.7 V rated Lithium (non-rechargeable) batteries.

Wilt wrote in post #17364987
NOT 'rechargeable lithiums' AA...rechargeable lithium put out too high voltage, and are largely used in laptops, for example, although 3.6V AA rechargeable lithiums do exist
http://www.atbatt.com …MmX6qLf-cICFTBgMgod1RwAig
...makes you wonder what they could be used in?!

Rechargeable lithium AAs (14500 cells) are popular in small, high performance LED flashlights if their driver circuitry is designed to handle the higher voltage. They require a dedicated charger and are subject to unique safety precautions. The OP in the first post mislabeled NiMH with lithium.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/qEW1​z4

Thanks for the great info! Fellow hobbyists here, haven't spent much on durracells for my speedlite but I'll definitely be picking up some sanyo eneloops.

moJoePDX wrote in post #17365702
Thanks for the great info! Fellow hobbyists here, haven't spent much on durracells for my speedlite but I'll definitely be picking up some sanyo eneloops.

Er, Panasonic Eneloops

drvnbysound wrote in post #17365747
Er, Panasonic Eneloops

I did a quick google search for eneloop and sanyo brand was the first one to pop up with a link to amazon. Sanyo, panasonic: is there a difference? Looks like I can pick some up at target

moJoePDX wrote in post #17365784
I did a quick google search for eneloop and sanyo brand was the first one to pop up with a link to amazon. Sanyo, panasonic: is there a difference? Looks like I can pick some up at target

Sanyo developed Eneloops and are now owned by Panasonic.