Speedlite 580 EX Battery Issues

I seem to only get about 25 good flashes from my Speedlite 580 EX flash with certain batteries. I am using the Quantary (by Sunpack) 2500 NiMH batteries. After 25 flashes, the recycle time is about 10 seconds. When I remove them they are extremely hot to the touch. I have recently burned up a 580 EX flash unit that way. I do not want to repeat that again. I rotate between 50 bateries or so. They have been purchased in all in the last two months. I recharge them in the 90 min charger after I use them. I do a lot of work in nightclubs and frquently have to change batteries. Is this normal? Should I upgrade to the battery pack?

Try another brand of NiMH like Duracell. I have great results with those in my 580EX. You could also try some standard Alkalines and see how they do. My Duracell NiMH batteries get a little warm but certainly not hot...and they last much longer than 25 shots with good recycle times. I have 5 sets (20) of them and they last a good long time.

I've been using the cheap-o Power2000's from B&H. 2700mah and they seem to last a good while.

Are you taking lots of shots in rapid succession? I can see that you would have a heat issue if that were the case.

Same unit, Energizer 2500mAh batteries, using Canon's battery charger and it takes a few hours to fully charge. But batteries last much longer. No complaints here.

You say 'certain' batteries. Do a test and mark these batteries. Then don't use 'em again, I'ld say they were faulty....
25 Flashes is not nearly enough, even at full power. I don't flash that much / hard, so I don't know much about it, but I would expect a flash tube to overheat before a battery. Maybe some bad connection in the batteries internal?

Definitely sounds like high resistance inside the batteries.

I would never again buy anything with the Quantaray label on it except for something that I can totally inspect such as a camera bag. Most everything I have seen private-labelled as Quantaray has been essentially bottom-of-the-barrel junk.

I use only the Energizer 2500's with no problem. If you are a battery-hog, like me, try these slow chargers. They take longer, but your batteries should last longer, and you can charge 10 batteries at the same time.

www.batteryspace.com

I use Energizer 2500's as well with no problems whatsoever. I have the 15 minute charger which I know is not good for them but I get A LOT of shots off of a set before I have to recharge. Seems like something is wrong with your batteries or possibly the flash itself?

My money's on the batteries being bad. I mean...come on...Quantaray? heh.

yup, throw the batteries away

get some quality batteries....energizer or sanyo......etc

I found this helpful: http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/BATT​S/BATTS.HTM

Definitely get rid of those batteries. I use the Duracell NiMH (I get 'em at Wal-Mart) in my 580 and 420. Typically I'll get 120-150 flashes before having to change batteries. Batteries are cheap, the 580 isn't.

Here's another Energizer 2500 mAh user. No complaint.

Try the energisers. The problem could be with your charger, I had the same problems recently.

Another vote for Energizer 2500's.