I got a question about the amps on rechargeable batteries.
I’m looking to get the HP 215 digital camera. Price is good and the quality, they say, is good. But HP warns against using rechargeable batteries (NiMH).
However, seeing that standard alkalines are too weak and expensive over the long haul, I asked around and found an HP 215 user who had success (ongoing, for several months now) using NiMH from Quest, Maxell, and Rayovac NiMH batteries.
However, I checked and the amps (mAh) on those batteries is 1300 mAh. So, can I use my 1200 mAh NiMH batteries that I bought from Radio Shack last year, in theory? Is there any reason why 1300 mAh wouldn’t fry the camera, but 1200 might?
The mAh rating tells you how long a particular battery will last. What HP might be concerned about is the voltage of the cell, a standard carbon cell puts out about 1.5 volts. A NiMH, or NiCad battery puts out closer to 1.25 volts.
There is no reason that I know of that the mAh rating could cause damage, the battery will only deliver what the device asks for, up to the point the battery craps out. You’re 1200’s will not last as long as a 1300, but they outta work just fine.
The 1200mAh and 1300mAh versions have the same voltage, so I don’t see how it can do any harm. The voltage only depends on battery chemistry. There might be a slight difference in internal resistance, but I haven’t heard of that being an issue.
I’m very surprised to hear that they recommend against NiMH, by the way. What are the exact words? What do they expect you to use, alkaline batteries?
NiMH’s don’t give as much voltage as alkalines. We talked about this before. Just in case, why not look at the package it should tell you what voltage they give. I remember NiM’s give 1.2v & alkalines 1.5v. Could have chagned today but that’s what I saw on their packages.
I checked the review of the HP 215 on http://www.dcresource.com and it sounds like a fairly poor camera overall. And the review confirms that using rechargables will void your warentee. I have no idea why HP would recommend against them, but it may have something to do with heat. Just a WAG.
Either way, it looks like you could buy a much better DC for slightly more than $200 these days and get much better shots. This HP camera sounds like a fairly poor choice. Look at the FAQ for the DCReview http://www.dcresource.com/faq/faq.html for some suggestions for good low priced DCs.
“CAUTION: Rechargeable batteries must never be used in the HP Photosmart 210 and 215 series digital cameras. The overload protection and control circuits are not designed to handle the kind of power intensity delivered by rechargeable batteries. Should an overload occur while using rechargeable batteries, aggregate camera damage would likely be multiplied several times and far exceed the relatively simple necessity of mere overload circuit replacement. Smoke and areas-too-hot-to-handle become distinct possibilities when rechargeable batteries are used in the 210/215. HP recommends not using rechargeable batteries in the 210 and 215 cameras. Chapter 7 of the camera’s User’s Guide contains more information regarding this issue.”
Some Nimh batts are slightly larger then spec’s for AA. There is a slight chance that it could perhaps if the moon is right expand. Spec size AA’s if they expand should be ok but is they are bigger tehy could dammage the battery compartment and/or get stuck in there.
On a gps formun that comes up every blue moon when someone’s gps battery compartment gets a battery stuck in it.
The issue might be current surge. NiMH and NiCad batteries can deliver much higher current flows than Alkalines can. Their reference to “overload” sound like a current issue rather than voltage.
As Telemark mentions, the DCresource web site is a good one for infomation on digital camera. You could even get on their battery discussion message board and inquire there. FWIW, there are better cameras at similar prices.
Hmm… Personally, if the manufacturer is that explicite about not using NiMH batteries, that’s enough reason for me not to buy that camera. It’s a sure sign that it’s not designed with serious users in mind. I’s also expensive to use digital cameras with alkaline batteries - almost as expensive as the cost of film and processing for a normal camera.
NiMH and NiCd batteries have lower internal resistance than Alkaline batteries, so they really are capable of delivering more current than alkaline batteries. I’d be a bit nervous using NiMH in that camera, based on what you quoted.
Under short circuit fault conditions Ni-Cads will deliver far more current than conventional batteries.
In the short time of fault current flowing, just before the protection, such as fuses, has operated this current might well destroy the printed circuit board, probably making repair of the camera uneconomic.
I guess its up to you but if the camera is out of warranty I would risk it, if it is brand new then use the camera a lot for a few months on ordinary batteries, as that is when it is most likely to fail, and if all is well then I would say using Ni-Cads should be ok.