rechargeable batteries used with wireless kit

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dan_aka_jack

Well-known member
Hi there,

Most sound recordists I know refuse to use rechargeable batteries with their audio kit but none can really explain why. I've been using rechargeable batteries for several years now with no problems. I like rechargeable batteries for a bunch of reasons:

  1. I can always make sure that my batteries are fully charged before a shoot (for free).
  2. I get fresh batteries for free!
  3. If I'm travelling to a long, remote shoot then I don't have to lug hundreds of batteries with me.
  4. Throwing batteries away is really, *really* bad for the environment
  5. If needs be, I can survive most long shoots with only two sets of batteries and a charger - one set of batteries in the kit and the other set in the charger.

So - um - I don't get it. Why are rechargeable batteries frowned on?
 
I've got a ton of rechargeables and you MUST be sure to mark them with some system that shows how old they are... (and also be able to rotate their usage). If you have many of the same brand bought at the same time then it's hard to tell... then on top of that, depending on how you STORE them... you get "luck of the draw" pulls of batteries where some may be charged and used frequently... keeping them well-conditioned... or possibly even OVER-USED... while others miss your grab and go bad the other way.

What ends up happening is that you'll have a mix of batteries with a hidden "bad-apple" somewhere in the system and you can't explain why a particular transmitter only lasted 2 hours instead of 6.

After a soundguy gets burned by this on an important gig... guess what? F them rechargeables!

I use rechargeables for shoots that I know will be short (within the worst case duration of the charge if it's got a hidden weak link)... or if I can easily change batteries every couple of hours... or if I'm doing my own project or for some other reason my work is FREE... like a favor for a friend, etc.

Otherwise I use the FedEx logic... for batteries... if it's absolutely positively GOT to work... I take no chances.
 
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Very good points - thanks for the really thoughtful reply.

I'll definitely be labelling my batteries from now on and keeping some sort of log of age and usage. Thanks!

Jack
 
hmm. i use rechargeables for my sm txs. the batteries supposedly have 1000 charges in them. in addition, i bought a charger that does a 13 hour condition/ charge. i use powerex 2500mah that last a little over 3 hours. unless im doing a reality type shoot or will not be able to get to the tx easily, i use these with no problem. i know that, as Mattin, said some people are afraid to get burned on a shoot by a faulty battery. the fact is, i've used procells out of the box and lithiums out of the bag that have only lasted an hour.

in addition, i charge for them just like i would for any other batteries( when i can)
 
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