Re: [photo-3d] Ni-MH for Viewers

[Linda Nygren <lnygren@xxxxxxx>]

I have not tried these, but I would expect that NiMH batteries might
have the same problem as NiCads of not maintaining a charge "on the
shelf" (or more to the point, "in the viewer"). Perhaps someone that
knows more about these batteries will know better about their general
characteristics even if they have not specifically tried them in a
viewer. I know that many people use NiCads in viewers, and the light
weight is nice and I think others' exerience is that there is enough 
voltage for good bulb brightness. But they don't maintain a charge over
time.

Is it true that the main advantage of NiMH over NiCads is lack of
"memory" that keeps the Nicads from recharging all the way up to full
voltage if you don't let them run down completely before recharging? Or
is it true that the alleged "memory" problem with NiCads is a myth, as I
have also heard?

My personal preference for battery operated viewers is rechargable
*alkalines* from Rayovac. The chargers aren't all that expensive, and
these batteries can be reused probably 50+ times and usually cost only
about twice what regular alkalines cost. They maintain charge on the
shelf or in the viewer (and indeed are ready to use right out of the
package). They can be recharged at any point of the battery discharge
cycle, so you don't have that dilemma of deciding when a battery is
getting too low and needs to be thrown away as when using "regular"
batteries. And no "memory" problem, so they don't need to be completely
discharged before recharging. Being heavy like regular alkalines is the
main disadvantage in my opinion. -Linda

Paul Talbot wrote:
> 
> I'm still getting caught up after being out of touch with
> e-mail for a few days; it looks like no one replied to this
> yet.
> 
> Pixschack@xxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> > Has anyone tried NI-MH D cells for viewers like the red button or similar?
> > Are they less bright than alkaline?  Do they last?
> 
> I haven't tried the NiMh D cells yet, but I have tried the
> AA cells in a fluorescent light attachment.  I had heard a
> club member rave about how wonderful they are, but so far
> my experience has been the opposite.  On all four of the
> initial batteries the charger never turned off the charging
> light.  The manufacturer replaced the charger and two of
> the batteries, and I bought two more new ones.  Only one of
> the charging lights in the new charger would turn off, for
> just one of the four new batteries.  The manufacturer said
> to take the batteries out after the recommended charging
> time even if the lights were still on.  I tried that, but
> I've gotten virtually no usability from any of the batteries
> in either the fluorescent light fixture or in my electronic
> flash.  So far for me these batteries have been a total
> waste of money.  Presumably others must be having better
> luck, but that's my experience so far.
> 
> The NiMh batteries, I believe, are rated at a much lower
> voltage than alkaline batteries.  Would that result in
> reduced light output from halogen bulbs?
> 
> Paul Talbot