Most photographers have several sets of rechargeable batteries; typically at least two sets for each of their portable flashes (or other gadgets or cameras that use AA or AAA batteries). This becomes a management issue because they bang around inside the bottom of the camera bag and it’s difficult to know which batteries are charged and which ones are dead.

I have an easy two-part solution:

1. Organize Your Batteries in Sets: These clear plastic cases for AA batteries are perfect for keeping rechargeable batteries organized into sets. At less than $2 each they are very inexpensive, and since most electronic devices use batteries in sets of 2 or 4, they hold just the right number of cells. They are also available for AAA batteries and in larger sizes in case you want to hold more than 4 batteries.
2. Carefully Arrange the Batteries in the Case: Most devices that use AA or AAA batteries must be loaded so that the orientation of the positive and negative terminals for adjacent cells alternate. If you always load your cases with freshly charged batteries so that all 4 cells are oriented in the same direction, and load cases with dead batteries alternating, you can tell with a quick glance whether each case holds fresh or dead batteries.

I get questions all the time from people using NiMH Rechargeable Batteries that don’t last very long or that don’t seem to put out full power. The obvious question is whether there is something is wrong with the batteries, the charger, or both. These batteries are pretty expensive and it can be really annoying when they don’t do the job they are needed for.

Unfortunately, rechargeable batteries continually lose some of their power in a process called self-discharge. This process occurs at different rates in every type of battery, and it occurs very quickly in standard NiMH batteries. In my experience they only hold enough charge for a few days before the reduced charge levels becomes obvious. When I try to use them in my Speedlite flashes I find that I really have to charge them the same day, or maybe the night before, if i want to get decent life out of them.

If you need your batteries to last longer then you need to get low self-discharge batteries (often marketed as Pre-Charged batteries), such as Sanyo Eneloops. I find that these batteries, even at only 2000 mAh, last far longer and are much more useful than any of my 2500 – 2900 mAh standard NiMH batteries. I now have enough of these batteries for use in all of my flashes plus a spare set for each flash as well. You can leave these in your camera bag for months and they only lose a small percentage of their power.

For more information and to learn about other brands of batteries, check out the Low Self Discharge NiMH Battery article over at Wikipedia.