Strobe batteries

[bmorescuba]

I started with all regular Eneloops and now use Eneloop Pros. But I agree with @fmerkel about the relative longevity. Even on the packaging, the Pros say - Recharge 500 times!, whereas regular eneloops claim - Recharge 2,000 times!.

I feel confident leaving the pros in for 3 dives, possibly even 4. For me, I would estimate that equals 250-400 typical discharges. My average strobe power is probably about 70%. Setting the strobe to 100% really chews up any power source.

 

[davehicks]

I've been using a pair of Inon 330 strobes for almost two years, with Eneloop Pro batteries. I maintain 2 complete sets of batteries (16 cells). I very deliberately swap sets of batteries after every diving day, or max of 2 dives per set (~200 flashes). This ensures that I don't need to wait for charging to dive again and extends the longevity of the cells. I probably end up recharging each set about 75 times a year so they should last a while.

 

[Barmaglot]

Same as the previous few posters, I have 16x Eneloop Pro cells and swap them after a day of diving. My ST-100 strobes are significantly less powerful than Z-330s, so they easily last four dives - this will likely change once Retra Pros finally ship, but still, two sets should be good enough to get me through a day.

 

[fmerkel]

It's better to recharge than to run them to exhaustion. In a strobe you have a series (chain). There is always a weakest link. Push a series too far and you risk permanent damage to a cell that dies before the rest do. Likely a strobe will simply not cycle. Something that contains a pack like a canister light or heating system may be ruined.

 

[tarponchik]

Well, I have 4 of each Pro and regular Eneloops, and I alternate them after every 2 dives, and I do not see any difference, though the Pros are 2 years younger than the regulars.

 

[Chanly83]

Ok question for anyone using a S&S YS-01. About how many shots should I hope to get out of a fully charged set of Eneloop Pros? i know it depends on power usage but let’s say average use of 50% power.

 

[bvanant]

In my tests with standard 2000 mAh eneloops, you should get about 220 or so flashes at 3/4 power. We didn't pull a YS-01 apart to characterize the battery charging circuit, but it should be similar to other similar power strobes
Bill

 

[Chanly83]

Thanks @bvanant for the info.

 

[Interceptor121]

Guys battery life and charging time I meant you get more shots with the pro because they are higher capacity and will recharge your strobes faster
I change all the batteries anyway every 3 years tops

 

[Searcaigh]

+1 on Eneloops