Rechargable AA's...

tabl10s · 07-05-2012, 12:25 AM

produce an empty blinking battery icon in the LCD window and nothing else. Do the batteries have to be brand new? Auto detect along with manual selection was used with the same result.

**i_trax** · 07-05-2012, 01:51 AM

I have been using Sanyo Eneloop's for years with KX, K7 and now with K5 ( last two obviously with batter grip D-BG4 ) with no problems at all.
you can not use low quality AA ( like Ni-Cd) with DSLR's, they can not cope with high power demand.

tabl10s · 07-05-2012, 02:03 AM

They're Energizer's rated@2500mah.

wlachan · 07-05-2012, 02:09 AM

Just get yourself some Sanyo XX. Those Energizer 2500mAh are no good at all.

**i_trax** · 07-05-2012, 02:45 AM

depends on the usage, budget and requirements
the Sanyo XX are 2500mAh but it retains 75% capacity after only 1 year, rated for 500 charges
Sanyo Eneloop are 2000mAh, it retains 75% capacity after 3 years, rated for 1500 charges

dominikkolendo · 07-05-2012, 06:39 AM

i've tried duracell rechargeables, eneloops, rayovac hybrid, and sonycycle energy NIMh's in my K100dS and Kx.

the rayovac hybrids worked best, they would last forever.
the sony ones did well (the 2100 and he 2300-2500 both seemed to last about as long)

the duracell and eneloops both lasted noticably shorter.

most important is to get a smart charger (that senses how full the batteries are and can drain them before a charge), not the cheap timer one i felt.

now that i have a K5, i just have a ton of batteries sitting around though.

Ryan Trevisol · 07-05-2012, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by dominikkolendo

now that i have a K5, i just have a ton of batteries sitting around though.

Lol, me too, though I bundled some of them with my K-x when I sold it.

Time to get myself a hotshoe flash I think.

GibbyTheMole · 07-05-2012, 08:10 AM

Originally posted by wlachan

Just get yourself some Sanyo XX. Those Energizer 2500mAh are no good at all.

I've used the Energizer rechargeables for a couple of years now in my K-x bodies, and also in a K100D & *istDS with success.

Before I knew better, I did have a problem with the 15 minute quick charger prematurely killing off batteries, but since I wised up & bought a Maha MH-C800S smart charger, I've had no issues.

The Kodak 2500mAh "precharged" NiMh batteries also work well and last several hundred shots per charge, but the battery meter tends to say they're low long before they actually are. I just use 'em 'til they conk & then replace them with a freshly charged set.

**jatrax** · 07-05-2012, 08:15 AM

Originally posted by tabl10s

produce an empty blinking battery icon in the LCD window and nothing else.

This sounds more like a problem with a specific set of batteries rather than a brand. In my experience all brands I have tried worked at least for a little while. If you are putting them fresh from the charger into the camera they should work at least for awhile.

Try the batteries in something else, AA flashlight maybe.
Do you have an intelligent charger? This is supposed to help get a proper charge.
How old are the batteries? As noted above Eneloops seem to keep recharging forever but the ordinary 'rechargeable' brands do wear out. For example, when I bought my k-x I bought 4 sets of batteries, 2 Eneloops and 1 Energizer and 1 Panasonic. The Energizers are long gone, the Panasonics are powering my computer mouse and only last about 2 days before needing recharged and the Eneloops are still going strong in the k-x.

If those batteries have been around awhile with numerous charge cycles they may be worn out or one of them may have an internal fault. My charger goes through a test / de-charge cycle and will alert when it finds a problem with a battery.

tabl10s · 07-05-2012, 09:33 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

This sounds more like a problem with a specific set of batteries rather than a brand. In my experience all brands I have tried worked at least for a little while. If you are putting them fresh from the charger into the camera they should work at least for awhile.

Try the batteries in something else, AA flashlight maybe.
Do you have an intelligent charger? This is supposed to help get a proper charge.
How old are the batteries? As noted above Eneloops seem to keep recharging forever but the ordinary 'rechargeable' brands do wear out. For example, when I bought my k-x I bought 4 sets of batteries, 2 Eneloops and 1 Energizer and 1 Panasonic. The Energizers are long gone, the Panasonics are powering my computer mouse and only last about 2 days before needing recharged and the Eneloops are still going strong in the k-x.

If those batteries have been around awhile with numerous charge cycles they may be worn out or one of them may have an internal fault. My charger goes through a test / de-charge cycle and will alert when it finds a problem with a battery.

They've been through the wringer a few times and are mainly used for the remotes. I can't seem to find the dedicated camera charger's(yes, I've lost both).

FrancisK7 · 07-05-2012, 01:13 PM

Eneloops XX for flash heads are godsends

**TopherTheME** · 07-05-2012, 01:49 PM

Stay away from Energizer NiMH's at all costs. They have an incredibly high self discharge rate and the internal impedance sky rockets very early in their life making them useless for high power applications. I've got some of the 2500's and they barely run my POS point and shoot for 20 shots. Get the Sanyo anything's as they have a much more modern chemistry with practically no self discharge (compared to other NiMH chemistries anyway).

**jatrax** · 07-05-2012, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by tabl10s

They've been through the wringer a few times and are mainly used for the remotes.

I forgot to ask, but I assume other battery sets do work properly? So we can eliminate a camera problem?

If so, then it's time for a new set. As noted the energizers do not have a good reputation with high draw applications. I used to think all batteries were pretty much the same but a little research shows different brands have different chemistry's and internals, so some are definitely better. You might have one cell with an internal fault, not worth messing with, toss 'em and get a new set.

I was using energizers in my flash triggers (AAA) but since I don't use those everyday I found every time I went to use them the batteries had drained. Bought a set of Eneloops for them and have not had a problem since.

tabl10s · 07-06-2012, 08:36 AM

Will get Eneloops today...if I can find them. Any non-internet suggestions?

Ryan Trevisol · 07-06-2012, 09:15 AM

Try your local price club. I got a good deal on 8x AA, 4x AAA, and a trickle-charger as a pack from Costco about a year ago but they don't seem to carry them at the moment.

07-05-2012, 12:25 AM	#1
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424	Rechargable AA's... produce an empty blinking battery icon in the LCD window and nothing else. Do the batteries have to be brand new? Auto detect along with manual selection was used with the same result.

07-05-2012, 06:39 AM	#6
dominikkolendo Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: portland, or Posts: 105	my experience i've tried duracell rechargeables, eneloops, rayovac hybrid, and sonycycle energy NIMh's in my K100dS and Kx. the rayovac hybrids worked best, they would last forever. the sony ones did well (the 2100 and he 2300-2500 both seemed to last about as long) the duracell and eneloops both lasted noticably shorter. most important is to get a smart charger (that senses how full the batteries are and can drain them before a charge), not the cheap timer one i felt. now that i have a K5, i just have a ton of batteries sitting around though.

07-05-2012, 08:10 AM	#8
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275	Originally posted by wlachan Just get yourself some Sanyo XX. Those Energizer 2500mAh are no good at all. I've used the Energizer rechargeables for a couple of years now in my K-x bodies, and also in a K100D & istDS with success. Before I knew better, I did have a problem with the 15 minute quick charger prematurely killing off batteries, but since I wised up & bought a Maha MH-C800S smart charger, I've had no issues. The Kodak 2500mAh "precharged" NiMh batteries also work well and last several hundred shots per charge, but the battery meter tends to say they're low long before they actually are. I just use 'em 'til they conk & then replace them with a freshly charged set. Last edited by GibbyTheMole; 07-05-2012 at 08:17 AM.*

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07-05-2012, 01:51 AM	#2
i_trax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,621	I have been using Sanyo Eneloop's for years with KX, K7 and now with K5 ( last two obviously with batter grip D-BG4 ) with no problems at all. you can not use low quality AA ( like Ni-Cd) with DSLR's, they can not cope with high power demand.

07-05-2012, 02:03 AM	#3
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424 Original Poster	They're Energizer's rated@2500mah.

07-05-2012, 02:09 AM	#4
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Just get yourself some Sanyo XX. Those Energizer 2500mAh are no good at all.

07-05-2012, 02:45 AM	#5
i_trax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,621	depends on the usage, budget and requirements the Sanyo XX are 2500mAh but it retains 75% capacity after only 1 year, rated for 500 charges Sanyo Eneloop are 2000mAh, it retains 75% capacity after 3 years, rated for 1500 charges

07-05-2012, 07:54 AM	#7
Ryan Trevisol Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 312	Originally posted by dominikkolendo now that i have a K5, i just have a ton of batteries sitting around though. Lol, me too, though I bundled some of them with my K-x when I sold it. Time to get myself a hotshoe flash I think.

07-05-2012, 08:15 AM	#9
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by tabl10s produce an empty blinking battery icon in the LCD window and nothing else. This sounds more like a problem with a specific set of batteries rather than a brand. In my experience all brands I have tried worked at least for a little while. If you are putting them fresh from the charger into the camera they should work at least for awhile. Try the batteries in something else, AA flashlight maybe. Do you have an intelligent charger? This is supposed to help get a proper charge. How old are the batteries? As noted above Eneloops seem to keep recharging forever but the ordinary 'rechargeable' brands do wear out. For example, when I bought my k-x I bought 4 sets of batteries, 2 Eneloops and 1 Energizer and 1 Panasonic. The Energizers are long gone, the Panasonics are powering my computer mouse and only last about 2 days before needing recharged and the Eneloops are still going strong in the k-x. If those batteries have been around awhile with numerous charge cycles they may be worn out or one of them may have an internal fault. My charger goes through a test / de-charge cycle and will alert when it finds a problem with a battery.

07-05-2012, 09:33 AM	#10
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax This sounds more like a problem with a specific set of batteries rather than a brand. In my experience all brands I have tried worked at least for a little while. If you are putting them fresh from the charger into the camera they should work at least for awhile. Try the batteries in something else, AA flashlight maybe. Do you have an intelligent charger? This is supposed to help get a proper charge. How old are the batteries? As noted above Eneloops seem to keep recharging forever but the ordinary 'rechargeable' brands do wear out. For example, when I bought my k-x I bought 4 sets of batteries, 2 Eneloops and 1 Energizer and 1 Panasonic. The Energizers are long gone, the Panasonics are powering my computer mouse and only last about 2 days before needing recharged and the Eneloops are still going strong in the k-x. If those batteries have been around awhile with numerous charge cycles they may be worn out or one of them may have an internal fault. My charger goes through a test / de-charge cycle and will alert when it finds a problem with a battery. They've been through the wringer a few times and are mainly used for the remotes. I can't seem to find the dedicated camera charger's(yes, I've lost both).

07-05-2012, 01:13 PM	#11
FrancisK7 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery Posts: 474	Eneloops XX for flash heads are godsends

07-05-2012, 01:49 PM	#12
TopherTheME Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Rochester, MI Posts: 147	Stay away from Energizer NiMH's at all costs. They have an incredibly high self discharge rate and the internal impedance sky rockets very early in their life making them useless for high power applications. I've got some of the 2500's and they barely run my POS point and shoot for 20 shots. Get the Sanyo anything's as they have a much more modern chemistry with practically no self discharge (compared to other NiMH chemistries anyway).

07-05-2012, 03:25 PM	#13
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by tabl10s They've been through the wringer a few times and are mainly used for the remotes. I forgot to ask, but I assume other battery sets do work properly? So we can eliminate a camera problem? If so, then it's time for a new set. As noted the energizers do not have a good reputation with high draw applications. I used to think all batteries were pretty much the same but a little research shows different brands have different chemistry's and internals, so some are definitely better. You might have one cell with an internal fault, not worth messing with, toss 'em and get a new set. I was using energizers in my flash triggers (AAA) but since I don't use those everyday I found every time I went to use them the batteries had drained. Bought a set of Eneloops for them and have not had a problem since.

07-06-2012, 08:36 AM	#14
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424 Original Poster	Will get Eneloops today...if I can find them. Any non-internet suggestions?

07-06-2012, 09:15 AM	#15
Ryan Trevisol Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 312	Try your local price club. I got a good deal on 8x AA, 4x AAA, and a trickle-charger as a pack from Costco about a year ago but they don't seem to carry them at the moment.