Can I use rechargable AA batteries in my Speedlight 430?

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

This...

mike_d wrote in post #17365815
Sanyo developed Eneloops and are now owned by Panasonic.

Thus, if you are getting Sanyo's, they are a bit old.

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.

mike_d wrote in post #17365101
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.

I carry sets of "high capacity" and "long life" batteries.

I have a couple sets of the High Capacity batteries that I try to remember to charge a night or two before an event. However, I also have a couple of sets of enloops in the bag as an emergency backup just in case I burn through the high capacity batteries quickly, or I forget to charge them. That way, I am still "safe" and don't have to try to find a store to purchase a couple packs of alkaline batteries. I do try to remember to top off the enloops every 6-8 months or so just to be safe.

Sounds like a good idea to have both.

Can you give me an example of "High Capacity"? Brand? Name? Photo?

I just bought the Enerloops yesterday. 10 x AA, 4 x AAA + charger at Costco for something like 29.99.

Rad

Radtech1 wrote in post #17369131
Sounds like a good idea to have both.

Can you give me an example of "High Capacity"? Brand? Name? Photo?

I just bought the Enerloops yesterday. 10 x AA, 4 x AAA + charger at Costco for something like 29.99.

Rad

I don't remember the brand that I currently have, and the camera bag is at home. I know that they are old (purchased just as Sony was bringing Enloops to market). Most of them still hold a charge so I have only had to replace a few of them so far. However, if I was starting over again, now that there are "low-discharge" AA batteries in the 2300-2800mAh range at a reasonable price, I would probably just stick with the "low-discharge" models.

In addition to the Eneloops, there are the Maha Powerex and Imedion batteries.

5 years ago SYS compared a swathe of rechargeable AA's and a couple of Alkalines in this thread.

smythie wrote in post #17369395
In addition to the Eneloops, there are the Maha Powerex and Imedion batteries.

5 years ago SYS compared a swathe of rechargeable AA's and a couple of Alkalines in this thread.

Now that you mention it, I think my "high-capacity" batteries are Powerex brand.

Just some casual observation based on having used both Power-EX and Eneloops, I find the Eneloops last longer in use and hold their charge better between uses than the Power-EX batteries. I charge both in the Maha recharger. Anyone notice similar or perhaps the reverse??? Looking to purchase some additional batteries next time I find a sale, but may restrict the purchase to Eneloops only.

I've never used Eneloops. Reading this thread I looked at my spare batteries for the flashes. 8 Energizer recheargeables, last charged in the Spring of 2012 (yes, I don't use the flashes that often, the ones in the flash units were last charged before Spring of 2012).

All brought the flash on instantly and all powered for 10 consecutive flashes, as fast as I can press the pilot button (I don't need to go further, I don't know what consecutive flashing does to the flash guns).

My point:

There is no need to the religion devotion to Eneloops. You can buy rechargeables from Home Depot. Not that you can save tremendous amounts of money, but they are easily accessible. No need for the supersmart chargers either. By the time you've hurt your batteries (if you do) they are fully amortized.

Sony and Energizer recharegeables are accessible around the corner.

Now if it makes you feel better to have Eneloops and Maha chargers, by all means...

PS: I use the flashes for portrait sessions with my wife (when I can get her to sit for a portrait... ) 3-4 times a year, about 50-70 shots a session, so each set of batteries has 150-200+ shots under its belt and still going... In case anybody is interested on how long they last. Longer than this!

MakisM1 wrote in post #17387052
I've never used Eneloops. Reading this thread I looked at my spare batteries for the flashes. 8 Energizer recheargeables, last charged in the Spring of 2012 (yes, I don't use the flashes that often, the ones in the flash units were last charged before Spring of 2012).

All brought the flash on instantly and all powered for 10 consecutive flashes, as fast as I can press the pilot button (I don't need to go further, I don't know what consecutive flashing does to the flash guns).

My point:

There is no need to the religion devotion to Eneloops. You can buy rechargeables from Home Depot. Not that you can save tremendous amounts of money, but they are easily accessible. No need for the supersmart chargers either. By the time you've hurt your batteries (if you do) they are fully amortized.

Sony and Energizer recharegeables are accessible around the corner.

Now if it makes you feel better to have Eneloops and Maha chargers, by all means...

PS: I use the flashes for portrait sessions with my wife (when I can get her to sit for a portrait... ) 3-4 times a year, about 50-70 shots a session, so each set of batteries has 150-200+ shots under its belt and still going... In case anybody is interested on how long they last. Longer than this!

The simple fact is that traditional NiMH batteries self discharge at a rate of about 1% per day. Low self discharge batteries, of which Eneloop is the major brand name, last much, much longer in storage. I own both Eneloop and Amazon branded low self discharge NiMH batteries. I'm not an Eneloop devotee as much as an LSD NiMH devotee.

Assuming those batteries you pulled out of storage were non-LSD NiMHs, they probably didn't have much more than the 10 test pops you got from them. Based on a 1% per day discharge rate, they'd be below 10% charge after 7.3 months. LSD NiMH cell claim something like 85% remaining charge at 12 months.

mike_d wrote in post #17387081
...
Assuming those batteries you pulled out of storage were non-LSD NiMHs, they probably didn't have much more than the 10 test pops you got from them.

I still had one set uncharged when I came back and saw your note. I put them in the flash and started counting pops at 1 per second (approximately).

I gave up after 200 shots, because the flash started warming up.

Perhaps the low self discharge technology is being used by others as well? These were the Energizer batteries, by the way.

MakisM1 wrote in post #17387342
I still had one set uncharged when I came back and saw your note. I put them in the flash and started counting pops at 1 per second (approximately).

I gave up after 200 shots, because the flash started warming up.

Perhaps the low self discharge technology is being used by others as well? These were the Energizer batteries, by the way.

I have Amazon branded LSD NiHMs. No idea if they're re-labeled Eneloops or actually made by someone else. Either way, they work well.

A number of people have done extensive battery testing, for example:

http://www.slrlounge.c​om …atteries-for-photography/

Syl Arena also did one, which is published in the Speedliter's Handbook.

One of our own posted one here: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=677074

You'll find that Eneloop is commonly at the top of these lists, then add that they are very good at not discharging over long periods of time... which is why so many people use and recommend them.

Radtech1 wrote in post #17369131
Sounds like a good idea to have both.

Can you give me an example of "High Capacity"? Brand? Name? Photo?

I just bought the Enerloops yesterday. 10 x AA, 4 x AAA + charger at Costco for something like 29.99.

Rad

If you have the official Eneloo's charger.
Please be aware that it is very basic. Yes it does cut out after 16 hours. But if you are just topping up a set.
They will be awfully overcharged and very hot.

The good news is the charger is a slow low voltage ( good for battery life) but I was staggered that once charged they still keep on for 16 hours!

I use a multimeter to see when they have reached 1.45 volts, when charging partially discharged ones.

The batteries are amazing!

If you use them all the time its worth getting an ite.ligent charger lile Mahe
But seek advice elsewhere on the best.