T
Tim Forcer
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
On Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:52 I wrote:
[cut]
Wouldn't you know it? Just two days after I wrote that I got caught
out.
On Saturday, I took my camera and flash to a family gathering.
Because I knew the Hybrios in the flash had been there for several
months, and had been used for many dozens of flashes, I took a spare
set too. Sure enough, after ten or twelve flashes, the flash
recycling time became significant. Out with the old, in with the new.
One flash, flash dead - no recharge action at all.
Unfortunately, I hadn't packed my mini digital meter, and there's only
so much swapping of cells one can manage in an effort to find 4
vaguely-usable cells from a set of eight that must include at least
two completely flat cells.
Testing once back home showed one cell of the eight was really poor,
presumably one from the reserve set. Four more were in the
well-discharged area (but not absolutely empty), and three were low.
A "best" set of 4 gave only another dozen manual flashes.
So now I need to add "check all cell voltages in the spare set before
taking it out for use". Plus I'm being more careful about identifying
cells which aren't taking or keeping as much charge as their
set-mates. None of which will bring back the missed opportunities of
Saturday.
I'll carry on using the Hybrios, if only because they do seem to hold
part-charge better than standard NiMH, but I won't buy any more.
[cut]
Wouldn't you know it? Just two days after I wrote that I got caught
out.
On Saturday, I took my camera and flash to a family gathering.
Because I knew the Hybrios in the flash had been there for several
months, and had been used for many dozens of flashes, I took a spare
set too. Sure enough, after ten or twelve flashes, the flash
recycling time became significant. Out with the old, in with the new.
One flash, flash dead - no recharge action at all.
Unfortunately, I hadn't packed my mini digital meter, and there's only
so much swapping of cells one can manage in an effort to find 4
vaguely-usable cells from a set of eight that must include at least
two completely flat cells.
Testing once back home showed one cell of the eight was really poor,
presumably one from the reserve set. Four more were in the
well-discharged area (but not absolutely empty), and three were low.
A "best" set of 4 gave only another dozen manual flashes.
So now I need to add "check all cell voltages in the spare set before
taking it out for use". Plus I'm being more careful about identifying
cells which aren't taking or keeping as much charge as their
set-mates. None of which will bring back the missed opportunities of
Saturday.
I'll carry on using the Hybrios, if only because they do seem to hold
part-charge better than standard NiMH, but I won't buy any more.
