Does charging batteries the night before really help?

[Jeremy Bouwman]

I have recently had question regarding my UK Light Cannon 100. When I first got it the light was good for at least 2 dives, usually 3. But now it seems to be dying after just one dive. I have rechargable batteries, not a battery pack, but I charge the batteries usually as soon as I get home from diving. Is the couple weeks that they sit going to drain the batteries that much? Should I charge the batteries the night before I go diving, or do I have some other problem?

 

[airsix]

What kind of batteries? Nicad? NimHi? LIon? SLA? They all act differently. Yes, sitting for weeks they will loose some charge. NimHi for example lose 10% just sitting for a day (if I recall correctly. Less on subsequent days).

-Ben

 

[Darnold9999]

Probably too late, but I keep all my rechargeables in the fridge. They last longer and lose less of the charge just sitting. I believe, but am not sure, that this applies to most types of rechargeable batteries. They all wear out over time, and they all degrade over time so hold less of a charge.

 

[SoCalAngel]

In a word... YES! Rechargeable batteries work best with a fresh charge. My cam batteries will last less time if I charge them the week before versus the night before use. About two hours less time... which is the difference between one and three dives in a day.

Also, like Darnold said, rechargeables don't take a charge as well after several months (not in my case, but I have heard in others) of use as they did when new. I have a set that would last three or four dives, but now, after 100 dives, don't even last one. Just because they are rechargable, doesn't mean they are everlasting!