AA 2700mAh battery question

lammie200 · 07-06-2011, 02:17 PM

Hi Everyone,

Maybe this has been asked before but I couldn't find anything about it.

Are there any adverse effects when using 2700mAh AA recahargeable batteries versus 2000mAh rechargeables?

I have a K-5 with a genuine Pentax grip and I want to load up the grip with AA's. I am not sure that using the 2700mAh would hurt the electronics, but it would be interesting to know what other people have experienced.

ironlionzion · 07-06-2011, 02:32 PM

In no way will higher capacity batteries adversely affect your dslr. mAh is only the amount of charge the battery can hold, so you'll get approximately a third more shots off with the higher 2700s. The only downside is that usually higher capacity batteries sacrifice either the number of times you can recharge it or the discharge current it can sustain. Fortunately, all modern rechargeable batteries will easily sustain the current needed for dslrs. Just check up on the life cycle.

DeadJohn · 07-06-2011, 02:33 PM

Extra mAh (milli amp hours) won't damage anything. It will increase the number of photos you can take per charge.

P.S. Too much V (voltage) could cause damage but all AA batteries fall within a narrow range. If anything, some rechargeables provide too little voltage and can cause a device to shut off prematurely because it thinks the batteries are drained.

JinDesu · 07-06-2011, 02:38 PM

I use 2700mAh. There shouldn't be any reason why it would hurt your camera; voltage is voltage. All you would get is longer life, and... longer recharge time lol..

epqwerty · 07-06-2011, 03:02 PM

Extra mah will not hurt the camera. However keep in mind that even thoough the battery saus 2700 mah it may not necessarily be 2700mah after recharging. Keep this in mind.

lammie200 · 07-06-2011, 03:54 PM

Thanks for the replies.

So now I have noticed that some rechargeable NiMH AA's are 1.2v (eneloops, Powerex, etc.) and some are 1.5v (Duracell). I know that generic alkalines are usually 1.5v. I think that the specs for the NiMH Duracells are 2650 mAh and 1.5v. Given that no harm to the camera, should I just go for those?

Does anyone have an AA brand that they found out to be better than others in terms of voltage output to keep the camera from thinking that the batteries are dead?

Edit: You know what? Forget it. After doing more research I can see the there are many opinions on both sides of the spectrum for batteries. No need to waste anyone's time.

Docrwm · 07-06-2011, 05:52 PM

The only rechargeables that I know of that WILL harm your dSLR are the Nickel Zinc Rechargeable Batteries - AA 1.6 volt labeled NiZN. I believe that there is a warning against them in the Pentax camera manuals.

mysticcowboy · 07-06-2011, 06:03 PM

The number (milliamp hours) is just a measure of how much power the battery can store. It's, theoretically, how many hours the battery can put out 1/1000 of an amp. Your camera will draw what it needs as it needs it.

The only downside of using 2700mAh batteries is that currently there are no longs storage batteries like Sanyo Enloops with that rating. With Enloops or equivalent you can store the batteries for longer and not have them self-discharge as fast. So, if you can use your batteries within a week or two then the higher rating will give you a longer lasting battery. If not, then the Enloops at 2000 mAh are better.

SOldBear · 07-06-2011, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by lammie200

Does anyone have an AA brand that they found out to be better than others in terms of voltage output to keep the camera from thinking that the batteries are dead?

I realize you wrote "Forget it" but I can't

I have an electronic Accordion that is very sensitive about the voltage level of the power supply. A set of 10 Sanyo Eneloop AA cells (1.2V, 2000 mAh) lasts about 3 evenings. A set of 10 Energizer AA cells (1.2V, 2500 mAh) lasts but 1 (1.5 if I'm lucky) evening.

I haven't been able to find any brand that lasts as long as Sanyo Eneloop.

rhodopsin · 07-06-2011, 06:11 PM

Originally posted by lammie200

Thanks for the replies.

So now I have noticed that some rechargeable NiMH AA's are 1.2v (eneloops, Powerex, etc.) and some are 1.5v (Duracell). I know that generic alkalines are usually 1.5v. I think that the specs for the NiMH Duracells are 2650 mAh and 1.5v. Given that no harm to the camera, should I just go for those?

Does anyone have an AA brand that they found out to be better than others in terms of voltage output to keep the camera from thinking that the batteries are dead?

Edit: You know what? Forget it. After doing more research I can see the there are many opinions on both sides of the spectrum for batteries. No need to waste anyone's time.

There are no 1.5V NiMH batteries. Voltage is chemistry-limited to 1.4V fully charged. Not sure why Duracell says NiMH is 1.5V.

07-06-2011, 02:17 PM	#1
lammie200 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Francisco Photos: Albums Posts: 1,033	AA 2700mAh battery question Hi Everyone, Maybe this has been asked before but I couldn't find anything about it. Are there any adverse effects when using 2700mAh AA recahargeable batteries versus 2000mAh rechargeables? I have a K-5 with a genuine Pentax grip and I want to load up the grip with AA's. I am not sure that using the 2700mAh would hurt the electronics, but it would be interesting to know what other people have experienced.

07-06-2011, 03:54 PM	#6
lammie200 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Francisco Photos: Albums Posts: 1,033 Original Poster	What about 1.5v versus 1.2v? Thanks for the replies. So now I have noticed that some rechargeable NiMH AA's are 1.2v (eneloops, Powerex, etc.) and some are 1.5v (Duracell). I know that generic alkalines are usually 1.5v. I think that the specs for the NiMH Duracells are 2650 mAh and 1.5v. Given that no harm to the camera, should I just go for those? Does anyone have an AA brand that they found out to be better than others in terms of voltage output to keep the camera from thinking that the batteries are dead? Edit: You know what? Forget it. After doing more research I can see the there are many opinions on both sides of the spectrum for batteries. No need to waste anyone's time. Last edited by lammie200; 07-06-2011 at 04:18 PM.

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07-06-2011, 02:32 PM	#2
ironlionzion Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 409	In no way will higher capacity batteries adversely affect your dslr. mAh is only the amount of charge the battery can hold, so you'll get approximately a third more shots off with the higher 2700s. The only downside is that usually higher capacity batteries sacrifice either the number of times you can recharge it or the discharge current it can sustain. Fortunately, all modern rechargeable batteries will easily sustain the current needed for dslrs. Just check up on the life cycle.

07-06-2011, 02:33 PM	#3
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Extra mAh (milli amp hours) won't damage anything. It will increase the number of photos you can take per charge. P.S. Too much V (voltage) could cause damage but all AA batteries fall within a narrow range. If anything, some rechargeables provide too little voltage and can cause a device to shut off prematurely because it thinks the batteries are drained.

07-06-2011, 02:38 PM	#4
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	I use 2700mAh. There shouldn't be any reason why it would hurt your camera; voltage is voltage. All you would get is longer life, and... longer recharge time lol..

07-06-2011, 03:02 PM	#5
epqwerty Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 550	Extra mah will not hurt the camera. However keep in mind that even thoough the battery saus 2700 mah it may not necessarily be 2700mah after recharging. Keep this in mind.

07-06-2011, 05:52 PM	#7
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	The only rechargeables that I know of that WILL harm your dSLR are the Nickel Zinc Rechargeable Batteries - AA 1.6 volt labeled NiZN. I believe that there is a warning against them in the Pentax camera manuals.

07-06-2011, 06:03 PM	#8
mysticcowboy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: port townsend, wa Photos: Albums Posts: 968	The number (milliamp hours) is just a measure of how much power the battery can store. It's, theoretically, how many hours the battery can put out 1/1000 of an amp. Your camera will draw what it needs as it needs it. The only downside of using 2700mAh batteries is that currently there are no longs storage batteries like Sanyo Enloops with that rating. With Enloops or equivalent you can store the batteries for longer and not have them self-discharge as fast. So, if you can use your batteries within a week or two then the higher rating will give you a longer lasting battery. If not, then the Enloops at 2000 mAh are better.

07-06-2011, 06:05 PM	#9
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by lammie200 Does anyone have an AA brand that they found out to be better than others in terms of voltage output to keep the camera from thinking that the batteries are dead? I realize you wrote "Forget it" but I can't I have an electronic Accordion that is very sensitive about the voltage level of the power supply. A set of 10 Sanyo Eneloop AA cells (1.2V, 2000 mAh) lasts about 3 evenings. A set of 10 Energizer AA cells (1.2V, 2500 mAh) lasts but 1 (1.5 if I'm lucky) evening. I haven't been able to find any brand that lasts as long as Sanyo Eneloop.

07-06-2011, 06:11 PM	#10
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	Originally posted by lammie200 Thanks for the replies. So now I have noticed that some rechargeable NiMH AA's are 1.2v (eneloops, Powerex, etc.) and some are 1.5v (Duracell). I know that generic alkalines are usually 1.5v. I think that the specs for the NiMH Duracells are 2650 mAh and 1.5v. Given that no harm to the camera, should I just go for those? Does anyone have an AA brand that they found out to be better than others in terms of voltage output to keep the camera from thinking that the batteries are dead? Edit: You know what? Forget it. After doing more research I can see the there are many opinions on both sides of the spectrum for batteries. No need to waste anyone's time. There are no 1.5V NiMH batteries. Voltage is chemistry-limited to 1.4V fully charged. Not sure why Duracell says NiMH is 1.5V.