Camera Batteries

I'll second that. Jaycar 2400 powertech are good.

Their eclipse non-rechargeables are pretty good too.

Yes I use Sanyo Eneloops in camera @ Garmin Etrx GPS last twice as long as Alkaline In GPS @ dont go flat when siting around. Been using them for nearly 12 months.

PS I use el Cheapo AA Inca NiMH batteries in my flash units. They are charged and recharged at least once a week. The power up well after a while and work really really well the more you charge and work them the better they are.

LeadAcid, NiMH and LiIon have totally different requiremnets to ensrure long life.

LeadAcid batteries should be kept close to 100% charge

NiMH or NiCd batteries have to be discharged to 1.0 volt per cell at least once every 3 months. They can be stored at any level of charge.

LiIon batteries should be stored at 40% capacity.

All batteries will last longer if stored in the fridge in a plastic bag to prevent condensation - not the freezer.

Hi Mike, I agree with your comments about discharging NiCd batteries but can you please tell me where you get the same story about NiMH batteries from ?

Thanks, KK

Batteries in a Portable World and my personal experience using an automatic discharger/recharger.
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Some quotes from Buchmann's website -

"The memory phenomenon can be explained in layman’s terms as expressed by Duracell: “The voltage drop occurs because only a portion of the active materials in the cells is discharged and recharged during shallow or partial discharging. The active materials that have not been cycled change in physical characteristics and increase in resistance. Subsequent full discharge/charge cycling will restore the active materials to their original state.”"

"When NiMH was first introduced there was much publicity about its memory-free status. Today, it is known that this chemistry also suffers from memory but to a lesser extent than the NiCd. The positive nickel plate, a metal that is shared by both chemistries, is responsible for the crystalline formation."


"In addition to the crystal-forming activity on the positive plate, the NiCd also develops crystals on the negative cadmium plate. Because both plates are affected by crystalline formation, the NiCd requires more frequent discharge cycles than the NiMH. This is a non-scientific explanation of why the NiCd is more prone to memory than the NiMH."

Thanks Mike, very interesting.

it's actually a International Civil Aviation Organisation requirement...lithium batteries cannot be carried by air as they're now considered dangerous goods..not much Oz Post can do about that..good news is they can still be carried by road,

airlines decide what goes on THEIR planes..

The older plain coloured powertech were ...errr crap.
The new branded ones are much better.

Depends on their size. Over 160Wh are banned. Smaller ones are OK as carry-on. Not sure about Air Freight regs though.

I've given up on Jaycar's Powertech NiCads - the capacity is OK but they just don't last, even using a very high quality charger.

You should try Eneloops NiMH - they'll hold their charge for a year.

have no heard of eneloops

where can I buy them

Dick smith sells Sanyo Eneloops in AA and AAA size.

Befoore this new technology NiCd/NiMH batteries would lose 30% of their charge per month, even when new.

Varta "ready 2 use" are similar to the Sanyo Eneloops in their characteristics.