SB-800 eating rechargables

[Scott_Witcher]

Hello all,

I am using the energizer NiMH rechargeable batteries in my SB-800, and for some reason they only last for about 12 to 20 full power shots before dying. According to the manual I'm supposed to get 150ish at full power. I'd be happy with 100 shots but 20... I need better than that.

Does anyone else have similar issues? Any suggestions on how to fix? Is there a setting I can change to reduce power consumption? Should I switch to the energizer lithium batteries?

cheers,
Scott

[ed_eng]

I have 8 Sb-800 I get more then 500 shots on each recharge @ 1/2 to 1/4 power manual if you are only getting 20 shots there is something very wrong have you tried normal batteries?

[ChrisPerry]

The only way to reduce the power consumption is to turn down the output.

Are the batts old? Are they fully charging? What is their Ah rating?

[Scott_Witcher]

I have not yet tried normal alkaline batteries. I may have to pick up a pack and try them.

The rechargeable energizers I have are about 6 months to a year old and are 2400 mAh.

They should be fully charged when I use them, especially since I would get good battery life with the SB-600 I used to have.

[Ed Gerson]

Charge up all four batteries, then check them with a voltage meter, see if the voltage output differs. Make sure the battery contacts, the charger contacts, and the flash contacts are clean. If everything with these batteries checks out ok, try again; then introduce a second set of charged up batteries and see if the problem replicates itself. If so, send in the flash for repair.

[billsstills]

I use the same batteries in two SB800's... I have a few dozen of them of which I take to any wedding, event, whatever the shoot is I use these rechargable batteries in both flashes on either my D200 or D300 these days.
When I charge them I leave them charging over night, two older chargers have a red light on them which goes out after fifteen hours charging. The two new chargers I baught have a green light which goes out after eight hours charging.
Either way... I get plenty of flash time at any power setting. I've had a packet of alkaline batteries in the bottom of my bag for a long time now. I placed the alkaline batteries in the bag for emergency use but the re-chargables have never let me down.

It seems to me that you're not charging them long enough.

[DougAxford]

I'd suggest that probably you have at least one bad battery. It only takes one to cause the problem you're seeing. One bad cell will suck the life out of the other three.

A voltmeter is useful to find a bad cell but only after it is partially discharged. My experience with bad cells is that they are fine for the first few shots, then die real fast. You can fix bad cells by putting a zap of extra power through them or banging the ends on a hard surface. Both methods will clear the guck & corrosion that's inside that causes them to go bad. I used to do that, but now I just pitch out the bad ones because the seem to go bad within a month again. Just not worth it.

Your best bet is to get a proper charger that shows the charge and allows you to discharge and rejuvenate them. The absolute best one is here: BC-900 Battery Charger Sale $38.97 La Crosse - LaCrosse BC900

I've tried them all and this blows everything away. It will show you bad cells and you'll know exactly how much charge is in each cell. Just buy it and if you are unhappy, I'll buy it from you - it's that good. Honest. BTW, it works with any batteries that are rechargeable. The ones with the set are not the best in the world, but they're OK.

Doug

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