best battery pack for speedlights?

Hey guys..

I was wondering if there is an alternative to a regular 4 or 8 AA battery packs for speedlights. Is there a lytheum battery pack that I can get for my YN 600 rt?
I'm tired of going through Duracells so often...

Any suggestions?

Lithium batteries tend to get hot, you might be okay on a well vented external pack though.

Have you considered decent rechargeable AAs such as Eneloop? They're just about all I use in my Yongnuos.

I once read the rechargeables might cause damage to the lights.. so I stayed away from those and I've been using Duracell.

If that's a false finding I'd jump on rechargeables asap.

I am still using a set of 16 Everyready rechargeable NiMH AA batteries I bought more than 10 years ago. I still get about 200 flashes per charge in my 430EX II and/or 580EX II. I find it easier to carry another set in my bag than deal with an external pack. Downside: I have to charge them with 24 hours of using them. Eneloops would improve on that, but its not a big deal to me. These are paid for.

pawelgawel wrote in post #17579733
I once read the rechargeables might cause damage to the lights.. so I stayed away from those and I've been using Duracell.

If that's a false finding I'd jump on rechargeables asap.

I haven't heard of any issues about rechargeable batteries damaging lights, but anything's possible I suppose. I've been using eneloops for a couple years - AA and AAA. I have them in Canon, Phottix and Yongnuo flashes, in my Odin triggers, Aion shutter release, just about every remote control in the house, LED flashlights, and the list goes on. Every few months someone would have a 50% off sale on them and I'd pick up another 8 pack so I didn't buy them all at the same time, and never at full price. I've got about 3 dozen in use now. I also bought a good 16 slot battery charger that allows me to keep them all charged up. After each use all the batteries from my flashes and triggers get charged so they're good to go when I need them.

I used Lithium batteries for a while in my Canon speedlights. After shooting a bunch of exposures in rapid succession at an event, the recycle times got wacked. When I removed the batteries, they felt like I was picking up hot coals.
Switched to 2600 ma Eneloops and the recycle times are consistent and no overheating. Plus, they sit in the bag and don't discharge if it's a while before the next use.

For what it is worth I have used a Pixel TD-381 to power a Canon 580Ex. Absolutely no problems and it recycles quick enough for me. I generally put regular Duracell batteries in the unit. Actually considering buying another unit after shooting an event last week.

Hope this helps,

110yd