Battery Temp and Performance

[winterling]

Hi All
Have people noticed an improvement in the performance of batteries when warmed, eg AAA ? Have tried keeping in sleeping bag, pocket etc but seems to make little difference when checked on battery tester?
phil

[Liamy77]

maybe the tester just states if they have charge - not how long for??
but they should last longer warmed.

[Ent]

Content removed by poster.

Last edited by Ent on Mon 20 Dec, 2010 12:46 am, edited 1 time in total.

[tasadam]

I've never had problems with noticeable degraded battery power in Tasmanian conditions. Batteries used on walks are Nikon EN-EL3e for cameras (several), and Sanyo Eneloop AA rechargeables for head torch and GPS. I try & stick to devices that use the one battery type so I can interchange if needed.

I have one of these -
http://protog.com.au/maha-powerex-mhc90 ... -p-52.html

Really good!!!

[Liamy77]

but bear in mind that the design (usually) places the batteries where they are warmed by your hand - another reason why you should never put your camera down!!?

[winterling]

Often thought of going the rechargeable route, eg the Sanyos. Do you find comparable battery life as regards good quality Alkalines,Lithium etc ?
Phil.

[tasadam]

I see a small but noticeable difference in overall brightness comparing a set of Duracell with the 2000mAh Eneloop batteries. But given the cleaner environment, the cost savings, and the fact that I used 1 set of 3 rechargeable batteries in the headtorch on a 2 week walk and 1 set of rechargeables on a 9 day winter (longer nights) walk, and the batteries still had power, I see there really is no reason not to use rechargeables.
If I were buying rechargeables today, I would buy the powerex ones from here - http://protog.com.au/
Working on a site discount, stay tuned.

[tasadam]

Just found this, quite topical -
http://www.eneloop.info/home/performanc ... ature.html

Also, the AA is 2000 mAh and weighs 27 grams
the AAA is 800 mAh and weighs 14 grams
Power to weight, the AA is about 400mAh better off.

[tasadam]

Forgot to mention for those that are not aware of these particular types of rechargeables, is that the shelf life of a charged battery is not like the old ni-cads that lose their power in about 30 days of idle...
Hey, look at that, they've improved them since I bought them...
http://www.eneloop.info/home/the-new-im ... eloop.html
•Improved self-dischcharge. Even though the self discharge of the old eneloop was already very impressive, you can store the new eneloop for 3 years and still it will retain 75% of its capacity.
•You need a battery, which is reliable even when having cold temperatures? Before eneloop was suitable for temperatures as low as -10°C - now even until -20°C.

And the Powerex batteries are supposed to be better so I have heard.

[Liamy77]

You often get less use per charge out of rechargeable batteries than disposable ones.
Unless you wanna carry a bigger rechargeable pack and wire it into the camera via cable? - you could keep it warm easily then too ( i built one about 10 yearsa ago for my old EOS 5...)

[Ent]

Content removed by poster.

Last edited by Ent on Mon 20 Dec, 2010 12:47 am, edited 1 time in total.

[tasadam]

Finally got to it...
Forum Members discount for batteries
Enjoy!

[Franco]

An interesting review here :
http://www.stefanv.com/electronics/low_ ... harge.html
The Powerex did pretty well .
BTW , as noted in the article there are only a few manufacturers (possibly four) so several of those brands come from the same production line.
Franco