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Home: Video University Forums: Wedding & Event Videography:
Best Rechargeable Batteries - low self-discharge for Wireless Microphones

 
 


Shawn Lam
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Oct 23, 2009, 1:24 PM

Post #1 of 8 (270 views)
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Best Rechargeable Batteries - low self-discharge for Wireless Microphones Can't Post
I'm trying to determine what will be the best choice for me to power my Sennheiser Evolution 100 wireless lavaliere microphones. I'm tired of throwing out alkaline batteries but the choices for rechargeable AA batteries is confusing.

Read my blog post on rechargeable batteries for background info.


Shawn Lam, MPV

Shawn Lam Video
Vancouver BC
BCPVA President
EventDV Columnist
2008 WEVA CEA silver award winner - Theatrical Productions
2007 AAA Emerald award winner - Stage Event Production Segment


dlprad
User


Oct 24, 2009, 1:24 AM

Post #2 of 8 (246 views)
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Re: [Shawn Lam] Best Rechargeable Batteries - low self-discharge for Wireless Microphones [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Shawn
I talked with a Sennheiser Rep at a video conference, he said they don't recommend rechargeables because they are rated at 1.2 volts instead of the 1.5 volts the alkaline batteries has.

I've had good luck with duracell Ni-MH 2650mAh. We have a Canon 10mp camera and shot 600 pics in over a seven day period with out changing the batteries. I've also had them sit for over a month and still perform well.









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Walt Radisovich


Shawn Lam
User


Oct 24, 2009, 8:58 AM

Post #3 of 8 (231 views)
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Re: [dlprad] Best Rechargeable Batteries - low self-discharge for Wireless Microphones [In reply to] Can't Post
Well that is part of my confusion as low self-discharge NiMH batteries operate at 1.8 volts, so actually more than 1.5 volt AA alkaline models.

I actually thought they were lower volt too but. Now the funny thing is why would the Sennheiser packs not show a full charge if the batteries are actually giving them more power than a AA? Maybe there is something else in the equation that I am missing, other than voltage, that the batteries meters use to predict battery life.

After 1 month there is not much difference (3 weeks and they are about even) but my concern is that with multiple battery packs and dozens of batteries, some of them don't see action for months and I don't always know which ones.


Shawn Lam, MPV

Shawn Lam Video
Vancouver BC
BCPVA President
EventDV Columnist
2008 WEVA CEA silver award winner - Theatrical Productions
2007 AAA Emerald award winner - Stage Event Production Segment

(This post was edited by Shawn Lam on Oct 24, 2009, 9:05 AM)


thatmdvideoguy
Veteran


Oct 24, 2009, 11:46 AM

Post #4 of 8 (224 views)
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Re: [Shawn Lam] Best Rechargeable Batteries - low self-discharge for Wireless Microphones [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Now the funny thing is why would the Sennheiser packs not show a full charge if the batteries are actually giving them more power than a AA?
The only way to truly check a battery's capacity is under load. A meter doesn't pull the current that the Senn transmitter unit does, so it won't decrease the voltage as much.

Same thing with car batteries. Testing with a meter isn't sufficient; you have to test while pull a load (such as trying to start the car).

Allan
2 Z5Us+recorders, 3.0 8-core Mac Pro, Dual 1Gb G4, G3, PowerBook G4, FCStudio 2 not 3, PS CS3,Senn EW100G2 with MD46 handheld, Edirol R-09, 4 iRivers, NRG lights, Epson R300 and Stylus 600 and HPC5280 printers, Bravo II publisher, a sense of humor, little hair and occasional flashes of creativity

http://www.thatvideoguy.net


Brackish
Veteran


Oct 24, 2009, 12:15 PM

Post #5 of 8 (217 views)
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Re: [Shawn Lam] Best Rechargeable Batteries - low self-discharge for Wireless Microphones [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
that is part of my confusion as low self-discharge NiMH batteries operate at 1.8 volts, so actually more than 1.5 volt AA alkaline models.

I actually thought they were lower volt too but. Now the funny thing is why would the Sennheiser packs not show a full charge if the batteries are actually giving them more power than a AA?
 I didn't read your blog post - nothing personal, I just don't read blogs - but my own experience working with low self-discharge NiMH batteries does confirm what dlprad Walt was saying above: that they are lower voltage than alkalines.




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daMoaks
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Oct 25, 2009, 4:52 AM

Post #6 of 8 (199 views)
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Re: [Shawn Lam] Best Rechargeable Batteries - low self-discharge for Wireless Microphones [In reply to] Can't Post
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=powerex+battery&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=3403305797&ref=pd_sl_8761spaqqq_b

Check these out! Powerex


Brackish
Veteran


Oct 25, 2009, 2:06 PM

Post #7 of 8 (179 views)
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Re: [daMoaks] Best Rechargeable Batteries - low self-discharge for Wireless Microphones [In reply to] Can't Post
Hey, stranger. Ain't seen you around in a while.




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Brackish
Veteran


Oct 26, 2009, 11:59 AM

Post #8 of 8 (156 views)
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Re: [Shawn Lam] Best Rechargeable Batteries - low self-discharge for Wireless Microphones [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Well that is part of my confusion as low self-discharge NiMH batteries operate at 1.8 volts
 The lithium batteries start out at 1.7 or 1.8.




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