Batteries

[dave2010]

I've had a couple (at least) of bad battery experiences recently. In the past I didn't worry too much, as although the batteries went bad they didn't actually cause too much damage. Now I've had some big failures which have effectively trashed kit, and have been significantly costly to remedy. Problems seem worse for some chespo batteries from a welll known electronics store, but even some "better" makes can cause problems.

If you've not checked batteries in remotes or wireless keyboards for some time, now might be a good time. Also put reminders to check every few months. I think also one of my cheap battery powered MD recorders may be stuffed, though it might still work via a PSU.

[paulf-2007]

Have you tried lithium batteries, I don't know if they suffer the same date as other batteries, if they do then it would be wise to check them as they last much longer. Haven't experienced any problems myself with lithium.

[dave2010]

Have you tried lithium batteries, I don't know if they suffer the same date as other batteries, if they do then it would be wise to check them as they last much longer. Haven't experienced any problems myself with lithium.The problem is with older kit which perhaps only takes "standard" batteries - say AAs. I've had at least one wireless keyboard written off because a battery went bad inside - that's at least £60 gone west. The new replacements use Lithium, and are about £100. It's not worth saving on batteries if the kit which is ruined is likely to cost a lot more.

Re your suggestion - I'm not sure if lithium batteries come in sizes such as AA or AAA. If they're good, then maybe that is a way to go.

It's not always that big a problem, as sometimes the batteries go bad, but can still be extracted - but for some kit that becomes impossible - which is a real pain. If the batteries can be extracted, then it's usually possible to clean up the contacts etc. if the damage isn't too bad.

My point is that if people leave batteries in kit without checking, and forget, then a year or two later they might find the kit is only fit for the tip. Remote control units may also suffer from this, and although remotes aren't usually such a big deal, some kit might really not work well without the remotes, so there is another potential problem.

[diviy]

Look at panasonic eneloop batteries use them in some of my infrared cameras and flashgun they will will still be 80% charged in 12mths time if not used never had a problem make sure you get genuine ones not copies .

[TazSob]

Recommend removing batteries from items you guys don't use often, it's less worrisome knowing the batteries are not in there to go bad and it only takes a minute to put in fresh ones if need be. That's if you can of course.

[dave2010]

Look at panasonic eneloop batteries use them in some of my infrared cameras and flashgun they will will still be 80% charged in 12mths time if not used never had a problem make sure you get genuine ones not copies .I use eneloops and hybrios all the time, but some kit had cheap alkaline batteries put in, and then there were problems. I did even notice some problems with duracells - which are generally quite good.

As I wrote earlier, and echoed by tazsob, it's a good idea to take the batteries out of anything not actually being used right now, and might be cheaper in the long run.

[sq225917]

Yhe problem with eneloops and suchlike is they are 1.2v not 1.5 so some gear may not function properly.

I use the eneloop xxx in my camera flash though, bloody brilliant things.