G+_Donald Burr Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I've got a rechargeable battery question for you guys... I am a podcaster, and I cover a few live events every year (maybe 2 or 3 times a year, spaced several months apart); for those times I use a wireless mic setup. (because, the one time I tried using a non-wireless setup, I ended up almost killing (or at least severely injuring) several bystanders and causing thousands of dollars in damage on a convention center exhibit hall because of my mic cable) Since I don't like throwing out regular alkaline batteries left and right, I got several sets of 2700 mAh rechargeable AA batteries to use with the wireless kits. These have worked pretty well for me. My question is, how should I store my batteries in between events (these events are spaced out several months apart typically) Let's assume that I have just finished covering an event, and my batteries are in a partially discharged state, and the next event isn't for about 3-4 months. - Should I fully recharge my batteries before storing them? (Obviously I would be storing my batteries OUTSIDE of the equipment, I know that much at least!) - Should I periodically "top off" (fully charge) my batteries while they're being stored during their "non-use" period (say, every X weeks or every Y months) - any other tips/best practices/things I should know? FYI here are the batteries and charger that I am using: batteries: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002R2G0U8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1charger: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00454YCWY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002R2G0U8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Reese Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I'm interested in hearing what others suggest, but I'd say around 60% charged then stored in a moisture free zipper bag in the fridge. With rechargeable AA's it would likely be difficult to figure out 60%, so probably close to that and above 50%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Check out the feedback segment (middle segment) of episode 120. We talk about extending LiPo life and I talk about battery chemistry. 50% is what you want in your batteries to store them. It puts less stress on the chemistry and the stabilizer. At 50%, you'll lose ~1% of charge per month. So unless they're going to be on the shelf for a year, you should be ok with not topping them off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Reese Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ? these are NiMH, not LiPo. Does that make much difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Bob Wya I'm talking about LiPo batteries (as I mentioned), but the same holds for NiMh.? The closer to 100% capacity you have the charged to, the greater the loss. 50% is a good storage capacity because or minimizes loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Alexander A. Carde' Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Quick apologies if I repeat anything in the segment in episode 120, I have not seen it. As a pro photographer I've been using this charger for more years than I can remember. My work comes a couple of times a week to once every two months. I do full refresh on my on crap Duracells and my Eneloops a few days before every shoot, and a regular charge 12 hours before a shoot if I don't have time for a full refresh. Since I purchased this charger many years ago, I have not replaced a set of batteries or have not seen much degradation on their length of usable time. BTW, I use the same batteries in my radio controllers for my helicopter and my quadcopters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Stede Bonnett Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 I have the other version of that charger (that handles up to D cells) and the 'smaller' 4-cell C-9000 (which has more elaborate battery cycling and measurement features). I like the 2700mah PowerEx cells for things that are cycled weekly and need the capacity but the 2400mah imedion from PowerEx (which is a LSD NiNH like the Eneloop) finds it's way into all my longer storage applications like my Photo strobes and audio recorders. (There are also higher capacity Eneloops on a newer chemistry now). For your configuration do a break-in charge on new cells a few days before using them the first time. If you think you are below 50% after use soft charge them and stuff them in one of those small plastic battery boxes. Try to keep each set together (they will tend to all have the same capacity drop-off). When you are ready to break them out again after a few months soft charge them again to restore capacity (with LSD NiMH that would not be necessary). About every year do the break-in charge again** a day or two before next use (plan ahead on that one it takes a while). **If you have a C-9000 you can cycle test them to measure their real capacity and match up cells that are alike. This "burns-up" a cycle but if it means getting 100's of actual uses from your batteries vs. 10-20 like most people will see using those cheap chargers it's worth it. If they are more than 10 or 15% below their stated capacity you can run break-in to get them back. (I have recovered many batteries for friends doing this). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts