On Jan 5, 9:55*pm, John MacLeod wrote:
On Jan 5, 6:00*pm, "SS" wrote:

Recently had a few probs with AA batteries for digi cam, the batteries are
probably 3 years old but have no idea on how often they have been recharged.
Recently after charging they dont last long (have ordered a couple of new
sets) Anyhow I have just recharged them all and on a multimeter thingy they
are showing 14V + or should that be 1.4 V, *not too clever with these things
and how to set them.

Would this be a realistic voltage for freshly charged?
Other than when my digicam tells me `change the battery pack` after a few
pics is there any practical way to decide if the batteries are past their
best.
I am assuming the slight possibility of a camera fault, thats about 7 years
old.

thanks

You haven't even told us whether they're NiCads or NiMHs. *In any
case, perhaps you're coming at this from the wrong end. * Anything
over 1.2volts might be reasonable, but that's an off-load voltage
you're measuring and what you should be interested in is an on-load
voltage.

Neither NiCads nor NiMH are all that suitable for cameras -- if you've
a camera that takes AA batteries, put in good-quality alkaline
batteries.

Your digicam is due for replacement, if it's done seven years. *Make
sure your new one has a Lithium-ion battery built in and that it can
be charged in the camera. *Far more suitable for camera use than NiMH
or NiCad.

John

You don't want inbuilt batteries. If you have removeable batteries you
can just swop them when they go flat. Built in batteries, the camera
can't be used untill they are charged. Older cameras use far more
power than the new ones, you could never keep up with non-rechargeable
batteries cost wise.


Lithium rechargable batteries (you can get AA sized ones) hold about
three times the power of NMhs but they are a bout £7 for two last time
I looked.
If you are happy with the quality of your pictures no point in
changing cameras. It's a pain in the arse learning your way round the
programmes of a new camera with all the junk on them you don't need.