Paul J Posted July 23, 2012 Share #1 Â Posted July 23, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, Wondering if anyone has had any luck with rechargeable cr123 batteries for their SF 24D Flash? Any brand in particular which works well? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 23, 2012 Posted July 23, 2012 Hi Paul J, Take a look here CR123 for 24D Flash. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted July 23, 2012 Share #2 Â Posted July 23, 2012 None works well. The SF24D does not work with rechargeable batteries. Period. However, it does work excellently with el-cheapo regular batteries from the Internet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
haroldp Posted July 23, 2012 Share #3 Â Posted July 23, 2012 Rechargeable NiMH are preferred for flash because of their current draw propertites. Â They are 1.2 volt, Sanyo eneloop are my favorite because they hold 80% of their charge for a year so I don't have to charge them the just before use. They are 'only' 2000 mah, where some NiMH are up to 2800, but those will lose 20% of their charge each week. Â There are other brands of 'low self discharge' batteries as well. Â Alkaline ( 1500 mah ) and LiON have higher voltages and should be used with care. Â Nikon's SB-800 flash has a holder for a fifth battery and specifically warns against alkaline (12.5 volt ) for this reason. Â Check the exct spec voltage of CR123. Â Regards ... H Â Â Â Alk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
haroldp Posted July 23, 2012 Share #4 Â Posted July 23, 2012 None works well. The SF24D does not work with rechargeable batteries. Period. However, it does work excellently with el-cheapo regular batteries from the Internet. Â I do not have an SF24D and may have just given bad advice.. Thank you for the correction. Â If it does not work with Recharge-ables, it is most likely because of the voltage difference. Â NiMH are 1.2 volt vs 1.5 for Alkaline or carbon batteries. Â Nikon's flashes assume Recharge-ables and are optimized for them. The SB-800 can be damaged by alkaline batteries if the fifth battery is used. Â Metz 54 on Leica works dandy with NiMH. Â Regards ... H Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enboe Posted July 23, 2012 Share #5 Â Posted July 23, 2012 I tried the rechargeables from the local Radio Shack and they deliver a different voltage and current which far exceeds what normal 123's do. Yes the flash cycled in less than a second, but the electronics inside aren't likely to last long under the higher electrical stresses, and there's always the danger of something melting, sparking, or catching fire. Â Cheap 123's from Surefire feed mine just fine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted July 23, 2012 Author Share #6 Â Posted July 23, 2012 Hmmm....Yes I'd suspected rechargeables won't do well. Â Thanks for the info. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted July 23, 2012 Share #7 Â Posted July 23, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) For around $25 USD you can get a pack of twelve CR-123 from Surefire Tactical Lights. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 23, 2012 Share #8  Posted July 23, 2012 I tried the rechargeables from the local Radio Shack and they deliver a different voltage and current which far exceeds what normal 123's do. Yes the flash cycled in less than a second, but the electronics inside aren't likely to last long under the higher electrical stresses, and there's always the danger of something melting, sparking, or catching fire. Cheap 123's from Surefire feed mine just fine. Rechargeables killed one of mine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted July 23, 2012 Author Share #9  Posted July 23, 2012 Rechargeables killed one of mine.  Yikes. Incredible and rather scary to think that batteries can kill something!  I have just read also that super cheap cr123's are to be avoided as well. They can catch fire and let off noxious gas! Patricularly when used in two's and are of slightly different power levels from each other which cheap ones usually are supposedly.  I went with a 20 pack of Duracell for £25. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
magosak Posted July 23, 2012 Share #10  Posted July 23, 2012 I tried the rechargeables from the local Radio Shack and they deliver a different voltage and current which far exceeds what normal 123's do. Yes the flash cycled in less than a second, but the electronics inside aren't likely to last long under the higher electrical stresses, and there's always the danger of something melting, sparking, or catching fire. Cheap 123's from Surefire feed mine just fine.  Oh crap... I received my 4 rechargeable batteries with a charger from my eBay purchase last week. I tried them and I was happy to see that they work with a fast cycle time of about 1 sec. That sounds like $17 down the drain, but at least I didn't ruin my 24D. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
haroldp Posted July 23, 2012 Share #11 Â Posted July 23, 2012 While lower voltage than alkaline (1.2 vs 1.5) re-chargeable NiMH can sustain much higher current draw. Â Some flashes seem to be optimized for one type (Nikon definitely for NiMH) or another. Â A great benefit of this forum is contact with others who have tried various combinations. Â Oddly, My Metz 54 prefers NiMH (more flashes,faster recycle) and I believe the Leica flash units are made by Metz. Â Regards ... H Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted July 24, 2012 Share #12 Â Posted July 24, 2012 Good idea to stay away from the rechargeable 123s'. The NiMH work fine as an alkaline replacement but what about devices designed around lithium batteries? There are the stories about the cheap lithium batteries heating up and melting down in flashlights but there is a lot of user error leading to the meltdown. Unless you're using the SF-24 constantly any CR-123 should be fine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted July 24, 2012 Share #13  Posted July 24, 2012 […] Unless you're using the SF-24 constantly any CR-123 should be fine.  The SF-24D is obviously an 'occasional' flash, not intended for constant heavy use, as the AA-driven SF58, but when conditions create the need. And in between, the unit sleeps in its drawer or bag, for long periods of time. This is exactly where the lithium cell shines – it will deteriorate very slowly. The shelf life of a litihium cell is upward six years.  Rechargeables are OK in units designed for them, but they must be watched over and maintained. So if continuous use is what you are after, use a flash unit designed for it.  My first electronic flash was a Braun Hobby unit that worked from a lead-acid accumulator hanging from a strap over the shoulder. It had to be babied constantly. Good riddance. Don't wish the accus back when you have got a chance to forget about them. Especially not in order to save a few pennies which you will gratefully use for – what?  The old man from the Age of Flash Powder Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jquimby Posted July 26, 2012 Share #14 Â Posted July 26, 2012 this is a great thread as I just picked up a SF 24D today and was about to shop online for some batteries... Love this place! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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