AA battery questions
 

I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them, as I use
my camera professionally.

Lately, in my good charger, when I put some in, the red light flashes,
indicating some problem. Checking them with a volt meter shows from .4 to
1.27 volts. When I put them in, and hit the "REFRESH" button quickly, it
does not engage, but the light goes to flashing. I have rotated about eight
questionable batteries in the charger in all combination of slots, and I
still get a flashing light.

Is there a way to test these batteries to tell if they are toast? I'm sure
that they are probably gone, and I need some more to replenish the quantity
I like to keep on hand. But before I do toss them, I'd like to be sure.

Steve

AA battery questions
 

On Tuesday, August 14, 2012 2:54:53 PM UTC-7, Steve B wrote:
I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them, as I use

my camera professionally.



Lately, in my good charger, when I put some in, the red light flashes,

indicating some problem. Checking them with a volt meter shows from .4 to

1.27 volts. When I put them in, and hit the "REFRESH" button quickly, it

does not engage, but the light goes to flashing. I have rotated about eight

questionable batteries in the charger in all combination of slots, and I

still get a flashing light.



Is there a way to test these batteries to tell if they are toast? I'm sure

that they are probably gone, and I need some more to replenish the quantity

I like to keep on hand. But before I do toss them, I'd like to be sure.



Steve

http://www.harborfreight.com/househo...ter-96377.html

AA battery questions
 

Can you believe it? The guy claims to be a professional photographer. But,
he's too cheap to buy some new batteries?

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

wrote in message
...
On Tuesday, August 14, 2012 2:54:53 PM UTC-7, Steve B wrote:
I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them, as I use

my camera professionally.



Lately, in my good charger, when I put some in, the red light flashes,

indicating some problem. Checking them with a volt meter shows from .4 to

1.27 volts. When I put them in, and hit the "REFRESH" button quickly, it

does not engage, but the light goes to flashing. I have rotated about
eight

questionable batteries in the charger in all combination of slots, and I

still get a flashing light.



Is there a way to test these batteries to tell if they are toast? I'm
sure

that they are probably gone, and I need some more to replenish the
quantity

I like to keep on hand. But before I do toss them, I'd like to be sure.



Steve

http://www.harborfreight.com/househo...ter-96377.html

AA battery questions
 

On Aug 14, 5:54*pm, "Steve B" wrote:
But before I do toss them, I'd like to be sure.

If it says "Energizer" on them, as I suspect, they were probably toast
before they left the factory, especially if you bought them from Sam's
Club, etc.
-----

- gpsman

AA battery questions
 

wrote in message
...
On Tuesday, August 14, 2012 2:54:53 PM UTC-7, Steve B wrote:
I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them, as I
use

my camera professionally.



Lately, in my good charger, when I put some in, the red light flashes,

indicating some problem. Checking them with a volt meter shows from .4
to

1.27 volts. When I put them in, and hit the "REFRESH" button quickly, it

does not engage, but the light goes to flashing. I have rotated about
eight

questionable batteries in the charger in all combination of slots, and I

still get a flashing light.



Is there a way to test these batteries to tell if they are toast? I'm
sure

that they are probably gone, and I need some more to replenish the
quantity

I like to keep on hand. But before I do toss them, I'd like to be sure.



Steve

http://www.harborfreight.com/househo...ter-96377.html

Hmmmm. Replace reading must put it to some kind of test. Am going to Vegas
tomorrow, if I'm near HF, will stop and see.


Steve

AA battery questions
 

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
. ..
Can you believe it? The guy claims to be a professional photographer. But,
he's too cheap to buy some new batteries?


wrote in message
...
On Tuesday, August 14, 2012 2:54:53 PM UTC-7, Steve B wrote:
I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them, as I
use

my camera professionally.

I was thinking the same thing. A professional and worried about 50 bucks of
batteries when they could mess up a big photo shoot.

I liked the pro that did my daughter's wedding about 20 years ago. He had
some large cameras for large format film and had more than one so he did not
have to worry about the film running out and having to take time to put in a
new roll.
Also this was not really a high dollar wedding or big money for the pix
either.

I would keep them together as a set for the camera and toss out the whole
set at the first sign of trouble.

AA battery questions
 

The best batteries might be panasonic and sanyos, Sanyo eneloop hold a charge the longest , any battery at .47v I'd junk. If they don't peak at about 1.35 they at worn, I think yours are getting old.

AA battery questions
 

"Steve B" wrote in message
...
I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them, as I use
my camera professionally.

Lately, in my good charger, when I put some in, the red light flashes,
indicating some problem. Checking them with a volt meter shows from .4 to
1.27 volts. When I put them in, and hit the "REFRESH" button quickly, it
does not engage, but the light goes to flashing. I have rotated about
eight questionable batteries in the charger in all combination of slots,
and I still get a flashing light.

Is there a way to test these batteries to tell if they are toast? I'm
sure that they are probably gone, and I need some more to replenish the
quantity I like to keep on hand. But before I do toss them, I'd like to
be sure.


Batteries even rechargeable are considered consumables. (hint they wear out
over time and use)

There are test that can be run but the cost of the equipment to do this
correctly is more than the cost of batteries so best to chuck what you have
and buy new.

AA battery questions
 

On 8/14/2012 2:54 PM, Steve B wrote:
I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them, as I use
my camera professionally.

Lately, in my good charger, when I put some in, the red light flashes,
indicating some problem. Checking them with a volt meter shows from .4 to
1.27 volts. When I put them in, and hit the "REFRESH" button quickly, it
does not engage, but the light goes to flashing. I have rotated about eight
questionable batteries in the charger in all combination of slots, and I
still get a flashing light.

Is there a way to test these batteries to tell if they are toast? I'm sure
that they are probably gone, and I need some more to replenish the quantity
I like to keep on hand. But before I do toss them, I'd like to be sure.

Steve


You already have a test. The charger says they're toast.

The parameter you want to measure is internal series resistance.

It's possible that if they're over-discharged, the charger can
mistake that as high ISR. I've done a bunch of experiments and determined
that it's rarely the case and the cells are toast.

Even with high ESR, the batteries can have lots of capacity, you just
can't get it in or out at high current.
Using a trickle charger and low current devices can make use of them.

Bottom line, recycle them. And go take some pictures using the new
batteries. And don't mix the new cells with the older good ones.

AA battery questions
 

"NotMe" wrote


There are test that can be run but the cost of the equipment to do this
correctly is more than the cost of batteries so best to chuck what you
have and buy new.

Dang. What do you know. Someone who actually answered the question. Thank
you.

BTW, I never claimed to be a professional photographer, although I have won
contests. I just photograph, evaluate, catalog, and value HOAs. But, since
I get from $40 to $80 per hour, I guess that may be construed by some as
being a professional photographer.

Steve

AA battery questions
 

"mike" wrote

Bottom line, recycle them. And go take some pictures using the new
batteries. And don't mix the new cells with the older good ones.

Good advice. Thanks. I can tell from the wrappers the newer ones from the
older ones, and all the ones in question have worn wrappers. Maybe this
time I'll try some Enloops.

Steve

AA battery questions
 

"Steve B" wrote in message
...

"NotMe" wrote


There are test that can be run but the cost of the equipment to do this
correctly is more than the cost of batteries so best to chuck what you
have and buy new.

Dang. What do you know. Someone who actually answered the question.
Thank you.

BTW, I never claimed to be a professional photographer, although I have
won contests. I just photograph, evaluate, catalog, and value HOAs. But,
since I get from $40 to $80 per hour, I guess that may be construed by
some as being a professional photographer.

I don't care about professional or not or what use you may have for the
batteries.

When they go bad they go bad and there is zero one can do effectively to
change the fact that they are bad save to chuck them and buy new.

AA battery questions
 

"NotMe" wrote

When they go bad they go bad and there is zero one can do effectively to
change the fact that they are bad save to chuck them and buy new.

They are a little spendy, and I'd buy three four-packs.. I did have some
more go bad, and I took them to a battery store. They checked them, and all
were bad. Probably like someone said, the equipment to check them costs
more than the ability is worth.

Steve

AA battery questions
 

"Steve B" wrote:
I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them, as I use
my camera professionally.

Lately, in my good charger, when I put some in, the red light flashes,
indicating some problem. Checking them with a volt meter shows from .4 to
1.27 volts. When I put them in, and hit the "REFRESH" button quickly, it
does not engage, but the light goes to flashing. I have rotated about eight
questionable batteries in the charger in all combination of slots, and I
still get a flashing light.

Is there a way to test these batteries to tell if they are toast? I'm sure
that they are probably gone, and I need some more to replenish the quantity
I like to keep on hand. But before I do toss them, I'd like to be sure.

Steve

How do you know the charger is ok. I usually take multiple chargers, and
try some new batteries. Buy lithium non rechargeable backups. That's what I
do.

Greg

AA battery questions
 

"Steve B" wrote in message ...

I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them, as I use
my camera professionally.

Lately, in my good charger, when I put some in, the red light flashes,
indicating some problem. Checking them with a volt meter shows from .4 to
1.27 volts. When I put them in, and hit the "REFRESH" button quickly, it
does not engage, but the light goes to flashing. I have rotated about eight
questionable batteries in the charger in all combination of slots, and I
still get a flashing light.

Is there a way to test these batteries to tell if they are toast? I'm sure
that they are probably gone, and I need some more to replenish the quantity
I like to keep on hand. But before I do toss them, I'd like to be sure.

Steve

You did not say what type of batteries you have (Nicads) (alkaline) ?? I
use NiCads in my cameras and recharge them with a Power.EX charger. Model
MH-C204W. When installed if not too low red light comes on and when fully
charged a green light shows. If they are very low when put on charger a
orange light shows and refurbishes the battery then in a while the red light
shows and charging proceeds. Charger charges both AA and AAA. WW

AA battery questions
 

"Steve B" wrote:
wrote in message
...
On Tuesday, August 14, 2012 2:54:53 PM UTC-7, Steve B wrote:
I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them, as I
use

my camera professionally.



Lately, in my good charger, when I put some in, the red light flashes,

indicating some problem. Checking them with a volt meter shows from .4
to

1.27 volts. When I put them in, and hit the "REFRESH" button quickly, it

does not engage, but the light goes to flashing. I have rotated about
eight

questionable batteries in the charger in all combination of slots, and I

still get a flashing light.



Is there a way to test these batteries to tell if they are toast? I'm
sure

that they are probably gone, and I need some more to replenish the
quantity

I like to keep on hand. But before I do toss them, I'd like to be sure.



Steve

http://www.harborfreight.com/househo...ter-96377.html

Hmmmm. Replace reading must put it to some kind of test. Am going to Vegas
tomorrow, if I'm near HF, will stop and see.


Steve

That will not tell if their not chargeable.

Greg

AA battery questions
 

Donate the older cells to a family with kids, that uses cells for toys. The
young family will be appreciative.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Ralph Mowery" wrote in message
m...

I was thinking the same thing. A professional and worried about 50 bucks of
batteries when they could mess up a big photo shoot.

I liked the pro that did my daughter's wedding about 20 years ago. He had
some large cameras for large format film and had more than one so he did not
have to worry about the film running out and having to take time to put in a
new roll.
Also this was not really a high dollar wedding or big money for the pix
either.

I would keep them together as a set for the camera and toss out the whole
set at the first sign of trouble.

AA battery questions
 

On Aug 14, 5:59*pm, "Steve B" wrote:
"NotMe" wrote

When they go bad they go bad and there is zero one can do effectively to
change the fact that they are bad save to chuck them and buy new.

They are a little spendy, and I'd buy three four-packs.. *I did have some
more go bad, and I took them to a battery store. *They checked them, and all
were bad. *Probably like someone said, the equipment to check them costs
more than the ability is worth.

Steve

Keep watching to see if your charger is killing them.

AA battery questions
 

Stormin Mormon wrote:

Can you believe it? The guy claims to be a professional photographer. But,
he's too cheap to buy some new batteries?

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.


Hard to believe, but photographers seem to be working for pocket change
these days - compared to the pre-digital era.

So I'm not that surprised.

I'm paying my HVAC guys almost as much for 2 days work as someone in
that "glamour profession" would have made when I was shooting.

AA battery questions
 

In article ,
Bob(but not THAT Bob) wrote:
Stormin Mormon wrote:

Can you believe it? The guy claims to be a professional photographer. But,
he's too cheap to buy some new batteries?

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.


Hard to believe, but photographers seem to be working for pocket change
these days - compared to the pre-digital era.

So I'm not that surprised.

I'm paying my HVAC guys almost as much for 2 days work as someone in
that "glamour profession" would have made when I was shooting.

But thanks to copyright law the photographer can continue to collect on
work done until 69 years after death (as an incentive to innovate from
beyond the grave). The HVAC guy, not so much.

m

AA battery questions
 

On Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:54:53 -0700, "Steve B" wrote:

I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them, as I use
my camera professionally.

If your batteries are going to AA, they're drunks. Get new ones that
are sober :)

Lately, in my good charger, when I put some in, the red light flashes,
indicating some problem. Checking them with a volt meter shows from .4 to
1.27 volts. When I put them in, and hit the "REFRESH" button quickly, it
does not engage, but the light goes to flashing. I have rotated about eight
questionable batteries in the charger in all combination of slots, and I
still get a flashing light.

Is there a way to test these batteries to tell if they are toast? I'm sure
that they are probably gone, and I need some more to replenish the quantity
I like to keep on hand. But before I do toss them, I'd like to be sure.

Steve


Seriously, you can buy battery testers at Radio Shack. A volt meter is
not accurate. The battery must be under load to test them.

What you describe about the charger tells me they are dead......

AA battery questions
 

Steve B wrote:
I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them, as
I use my camera professionally.

Lately, in my good charger, when I put some in, the red light flashes,
indicating some problem. Checking them with a volt meter shows from
.4 to 1.27 volts. When I put them in, and hit the "REFRESH" button
quickly, it does not engage, but the light goes to flashing. I have
rotated about eight questionable batteries in the charger in all
combination of slots, and I still get a flashing light.

Is there a way to test these batteries to tell if they are toast?

Sure - your multimeter.

A fresh alkaline battery of any size - AAA, AA, C, D - should be about 1.5
volts; a NiCad, about 1.2 volts. Toss any alkaline below 0.8 - 1.0 volts.

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=0008u5


--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Maybe just ready for a change? Check it out...
http://www.floridaloghouse.net

AA battery questions
 

On Aug 14, 8:23*pm, "Steve B" wrote:
BTW, I never claimed to be a professional photographer, although I have won
contests.

" I have about two dozen of them, as I use
my camera professionally."

If you are getting paid, you are a prof.

AA battery questions
 

You're so right, that the times are changing. And not for the better. About
1988, I had a retail store, next to a photographer. He was having a hard
time competing with Sears and Kmart, and their baby specials, $8.88 for 36
photos of various sizes.

I grew up with film, but now my little digital camera has replaced it, in
just about every thing. I used to at least get Kodak prints, but now Fuji
prints are so much cheaper.

Christopher A. Young (but not THAT Christopher A. Young)
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Bob(but not THAT Bob)" wrote in message
...

Hard to believe, but photographers seem to be working for pocket change
these days - compared to the pre-digital era.

So I'm not that surprised.

I'm paying my HVAC guys almost as much for 2 days work as someone in
that "glamour profession" would have made when I was shooting.

AA battery questions
 

Thomas wrote:
On Aug 14, 8:23 pm, "Steve B" wrote:
BTW, I never claimed to be a professional photographer, although I
have won contests.

" I have about two dozen of them, as I use
my camera professionally."

If you are getting paid, you are a prof.

No. A pro earns his living doing something.

I was hiring a photographer (I had a studio) many years ago. One guy I
interviewed proudly stated he was earning $9,000/year as a pro. Even then,
that was a pittance; it was especially so when he revealed that was his
income over a *NINE YEAR PERIOD!*. He earned his living as a shoe salesman.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Maybe just ready for a change? Check it out...
http://www.floridaloghouse.net

AA battery questions
 

On Aug 14, 5:59*pm, "Steve B" wrote:
They are a little spendy, and I'd buy three four-packs.. *I did have some
more go bad, and I took them to a battery store. *They checked them, and all
were bad. *Probably like someone said, the equipment to check them costs
more than the ability is worth.

Steve

I'm confused. Battery Charger and URL's showing what new AA batteries
should look like.

I thought you were fighting re-chargeable batteries.

Not, the normal AA batteries.

It is my understanding that if you buy a good battery and store it ,
it has very long shelf life. If instead, you 'test' it under full load
to make certain it's a good battery; you start some type of battery
chemistry thingie that causes the battery to deteriorate fast with a
shelf life between 6months to a year. It was like the battery
manufacturers knew that and encouraged people to test their stored
batteries - under full load, on purpose.

Any confirmations out there?

AA battery questions
 

Using six or so inches of 12 or 14 solid copper wire, and a PR-2 flash light
bulb, this device can be used.
http://tinypic.com/r/2i77h92/6

By bending the wire a bit, you can test any cells from AAAA to D. After
testing a few cells, you can get a rough idea if the battery is useful, by
how bright the bulb glows.

Voltage available doesn't necessarily mean the battery is useful. I found
this out years ago, with carbon zinc cells that read 1.5 volts, but which do
not power a device.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

AA battery questions
 

"Ralph Mowery" wrote in
m:


"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
. ..
Can you believe it? The guy claims to be a professional photographer.
But, he's too cheap to buy some new batteries?


wrote in message
...
On Tuesday, August 14, 2012 2:54:53 PM UTC-7, Steve B wrote:
I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them, as
I use

my camera professionally.

I was thinking the same thing. A professional and worried about 50
bucks of batteries when they could mess up a big photo shoot.

I liked the pro that did my daughter's wedding about 20 years ago. He
had some large cameras for large format film and had more than one so
he did not have to worry about the film running out and having to take
time to put in a new roll.
Also this was not really a high dollar wedding or big money for the
pix either.

I would keep them together as a set for the camera and toss out the
whole set at the first sign of trouble.

and remove the batteries if not using the camera,so they don't leak and
destroy your expensive camera.
Some cameras draw battery power even when "off".




Pro photogs also have more than one camera in case one malfunctions.
Lots of people have misloaded their 35mm SLRs,and shot lots of pics only to
find the film never advanced a single frame.
or the sprockets tore,same result. No pics.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
localnet
dot com

AA battery questions
 

gregz wrote in

rg:

"Steve B" wrote:
wrote in message
...
On Tuesday, August 14, 2012 2:54:53 PM UTC-7, Steve B wrote:
I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them,
as I use

my camera professionally.



Lately, in my good charger, when I put some in, the red light
flashes,

indicating some problem. Checking them with a volt meter shows
from .4 to

1.27 volts. When I put them in, and hit the "REFRESH" button
quickly, it

1.27 volt cells ought to take a charge.
the cells that are .4v ,were drawn down too far,toss them.
You should not draw rechargeables down past 1.1v per cell.

Note that a DMM in voltage mode does not put a load on the cell.
DMMs are high impedance,so as to NOT load a circuit.



does not engage, but the light goes to flashing. I have rotated
about eight

questionable batteries in the charger in all combination of slots,
and I

still get a flashing light.



Is there a way to test these batteries to tell if they are toast?
I'm sure

that they are probably gone, and I need some more to replenish the
quantity

I like to keep on hand. But before I do toss them, I'd like to be
sure.



Steve

http://www.harborfreight.com/househo...ter-96377.html

Hmmmm. Replace reading must put it to some kind of test. Am going
to Vegas tomorrow, if I'm near HF, will stop and see.


Steve

That will not tell if their not chargeable.

Greg


I would not trust a Harbor Freight meter for testing.
a $3 DMM from them read a 1.5v AA cell at nearly 2 volts,I had to exchange
it.

it's a shame they don't make mercury cells anymore,they were great for
voltage references.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
localnet
dot com

AA battery questions
 

Batteries out of the device, very wise advice for all devices.

I do remember a time when I was one of the photo guys for my college campus
news paper. I didn't insert the 35 MM film enough, and missed a lot of
otherwise good photos.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Jim Yanik" wrote in message
4...

and remove the batteries if not using the camera,so they don't leak and
destroy your expensive camera.
Some cameras draw battery power even when "off".




Pro photogs also have more than one camera in case one malfunctions.
Lots of people have misloaded their 35mm SLRs,and shot lots of pics only to
find the film never advanced a single frame.
or the sprockets tore,same result. No pics.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
localnet
dot com

AA battery questions
 

"Robert Macy" wrote

Keep watching to see if your charger is killing them.

***

What is it exactly that I am looking for? I do notice that sometimes they
come out of the charger HOT!

Steve

AA battery questions
 

"dadiOH" wrote If you are getting paid, you are a
prof.

No. A pro earns his living doing something.

The photography is only a part of the reserve study we do. We get paid for
the whole thing, not just the photography. The photos just document what is
there.

Steve

AA battery questions
 

"WW" wrote

You did not say what type of batteries you have (Nicads) (alkaline) ??
I use NiCads in my cameras and recharge them with a Power.EX charger.
Model MH-C204W. When installed if not too low red light comes on and when
fully charged a green light shows. If they are very low when put on
charger a orange light shows and refurbishes the battery then in a while
the red light shows and charging proceeds. Charger charges both AA and
AAA. WW

more info: I use nimh 2500 milliamphours, or whatever. I have a Radio
Shack charger with the refresh feature, and will handle AA and AAA. Has a
car jack, too, but we try mostly to use AC current, unless we are just
stuck and have to charge some. I like to carry enough to get through the
day. I might take 1,000 photos a day.

Steve

AA battery questions
 

On 8/15/2012 12:14 PM, Steve B wrote:
"WW" wrote

You did not say what type of batteries you have (Nicads) (alkaline) ??
I use NiCads in my cameras and recharge them with a Power.EX charger.
Model MH-C204W. When installed if not too low red light comes on and when
fully charged a green light shows. If they are very low when put on
charger a orange light shows and refurbishes the battery then in a while
the red light shows and charging proceeds. Charger charges both AA and
AAA. WW

more info: I use nimh 2500 milliamphours, or whatever. I have a Radio
Shack charger with the refresh feature, and will handle AA and AAA. Has a
car jack, too, but we try mostly to use AC current, unless we are just
stuck and have to charge some. I like to carry enough to get through the
day. I might take 1,000 photos a day.

Steve


Chargers are the most ignored and the most important item when it comes
to not killing batteries. I doubt something from radio shack is more
than ultra basic.

AA battery questions
 

Stormin Mormon wrote:
You're so right, that the times are changing. And not for the better.
About 1988, I had a retail store, next to a photographer. He was
having a hard time competing with Sears and Kmart, and their baby
specials, $8.88 for 36 photos of various sizes.

Easy (and standard) solution: don't compete with them...do other types of
photography or if one is a true masochist and actually *wants* to do baby
pictures do them in an artful manner. And charge appropriately.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Maybe just ready for a change? Check it out...
http://www.floridaloghouse.net

AA battery questions
 

Steve B wrote:

more info: I use nimh 2500 milliamphours, or whatever. I have a
Radio Shack charger with the refresh feature, and will handle AA and
AAA. Has a car jack, too, but we try mostly to use AC current, unless we
are just stuck and have to charge some. I like to carry
enough to get through the day. I might take 1,000 photos a day.

Quantum battery packs were a good answer for flash. There were
various...some used "D" cell, others "C" cells. In either case, they gave
far more juice because both "C" and - especially - "D" cells have much
higher milliampere ratings.

You might be able to rig things to use a Quantum pack and one with "D" cells
should get you in the range you want.



--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Maybe just ready for a change? Check it out...
http://www.floridaloghouse.net

AA battery questions
 

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
.. .
You're so right, that the times are changing. And not for the better.
About
1988, I had a retail store, next to a photographer. He was having a hard
time competing with Sears and Kmart, and their baby specials, $8.88 for
36
photos of various sizes.


The baby pix were a loss leader. You almost give them away. The store
makes their money on the baby outfits and other items you buy in the store
while getting the pix. This is often done. Give away the cheap stuff so
higher priced articals are sold.

AA battery questions
 

mike wrote:
On 8/14/2012 2:54 PM, Steve B wrote:
I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them, as
I use my camera professionally.

Lately, in my good charger, when I put some in, the red light
flashes, indicating some problem. Checking them with a volt meter
shows from .4 to 1.27 volts. When I put them in, and hit the "REFRESH"
button
quickly, it does not engage, but the light goes to flashing. I have
rotated about eight questionable batteries in the charger in all
combination of slots, and I still get a flashing light.

Is there a way to test these batteries to tell if they are toast? I'm sure
that they are probably gone, and I need some more to
replenish the quantity I like to keep on hand. But before I do toss
them, I'd like to be sure. Steve


You already have a test. The charger says they're toast.

The parameter you want to measure is internal series resistance.

It's possible that if they're over-discharged, the charger can
mistake that as high ISR. I've done a bunch of experiments and
determined that it's rarely the case and the cells are toast.

Even with high ESR, the batteries can have lots of capacity, you just
can't get it in or out at high current.
Using a trickle charger and low current devices can make use of them.

Bottom line, recycle them. And go take some pictures using the new
batteries. And don't mix the new cells with the older good ones.

I've had batteries that were run down enough that the smart charger wouldn't
charge them. Inserting them into an old dumb charger for a few minutes brought
them up enough that the smart charger worked fine, and they continued to be
usable.

AA battery questions
 

On 8/15/2012 12:42 PM, Bob F wrote:
mike wrote:
On 8/14/2012 2:54 PM, Steve B wrote:
I use AA batteries in my camera. I have about two dozen of them, as
I use my camera professionally.

Lately, in my good charger, when I put some in, the red light
flashes, indicating some problem. Checking them with a volt meter
shows from .4 to 1.27 volts. When I put them in, and hit the "REFRESH"
button
quickly, it does not engage, but the light goes to flashing. I have
rotated about eight questionable batteries in the charger in all
combination of slots, and I still get a flashing light.

Is there a way to test these batteries to tell if they are toast? I'm sure
that they are probably gone, and I need some more to
replenish the quantity I like to keep on hand. But before I do toss
them, I'd like to be sure. Steve


You already have a test. The charger says they're toast.

The parameter you want to measure is internal series resistance.

It's possible that if they're over-discharged, the charger can
mistake that as high ISR. I've done a bunch of experiments and
determined that it's rarely the case and the cells are toast.

Even with high ESR, the batteries can have lots of capacity, you just
can't get it in or out at high current.
Using a trickle charger and low current devices can make use of them.

Bottom line, recycle them. And go take some pictures using the new
batteries. And don't mix the new cells with the older good ones.

I've had batteries that were run down enough that the smart charger wouldn't
charge them. Inserting them into an old dumb charger for a few minutes brought
them up enough that the smart charger worked fine, and they continued to be
usable.


Yep, I've seen that happen, but for batteries in general/frequent use,
I've rarely found it a permanent solution.
The battery got over-discharged somehow. If it's slightly lower capacity
than the others in series, it will happen again...and again...and again.
I've tried marking them and using in low drain applications, but it usually
comes down to replacing ALL the cells and being done with it.

AA battery questions
 

On Aug 15, 9:09*am, "Steve B" wrote:
"Robert Macy" wrote

Keep watching to see if your charger is killing them.

***

What is it exactly that I am looking for? *I do notice that sometimes they
come out of the charger HOT!

Steve

There are electrical parameters that can be measured to ensure all is
well, but ...

What I meant by watch, was observe the performance of the battery
charger and the resulting charged batteries. If it appears that there
are way too many bad batteries being sold to you, you probably have a
'bad battery charger that is killing your batteries. Without
instrumentation it may be difficult to find out. Only observe.

I once had a cell phone recharger that killed those $20 batteries,
shortened their lives down to nil. The one symptom that caught my eye
was, "Wow! These batteries seem way too hot." Because battery lifetime
is often shortened by excessively high temperature, as in 'cooked' to
death.

But, there is HOT from energy going into a battery that really needed
the charge, and there is HOT from constantly trying to pump more
energy into the battery when it doesn't want it - that'll kill a
battery/shorten its life.

Heat is not a firend of battery chemistry.

Problem is that a battery is a pretty good thermometer. Higher temp
higher voltage, lower temp lower voltage. Now combine that with a 'not
so smart' battery charger that only looks at the voltage. You can see
how things might not work out well.

You could have a battery charger that is not so good, and it's not
just a problem with batteries. But, trying to charge a bad battery is
not good either. Sounds like it might be worth it [if can afford it]
to simply scrap all and start over, watching very closely what
happens. Keep old charger and old batteries away from your new stuff
and see if everything gets better.

I'm trying to remember multiple battery connections inside a camera.
Is it possible that the camera depletes the batteries in a non-uniform
manner? Like battery A goes flat very fast, but battery B is barely
used, and so on. Ihate people who design 'tapped' battery compartments
for this very reason. At least when all batteries are used the same,
as they die you can replace them all, but with a 'tapped' battery
compartment, you can have one battery die while all the rest would
last another year, so to speak.