The Ultimate Guide To Managing Batteries On Location
If you're using strobes, pocket wizards, remotes, or RC cars, you are probably using AA batteries. Those are small little wonders of energy.
Here is the big question, how do you manage them on location? How do you keep the loaded batteries ready for grab?
How do you make sure the empty ones get enough charge?
How do you sleep at night knowing that a battery may stop working at any given time?
Good questions! Benny Johansson, AKA Benvelo created a full system just for that and guess what? It is graphically rocking.
The Simple
If you are using one device, say a strobe, this is an easy problem to solve. Carry two sets of batteries. One set is in your strobe, one set is in the charger by the wall. If you're using one of the fast chargers out there, chances are you'll have a freshly loaded set before you drain the one in the strobe.
Once cycle speed drops down, simply switch the two sets.
Using More Batteries
But what if you are using more than just two sets of batteries, but have no charger handy. Say like in the desert. Easy peasy.
First, you wanna carry the batteries in sets of 4 (assuming your strobes take 4 batteries each). Each set should be charges together and used together, this is how you can keep track on sets of batteries. Once a set starts degrading in performance, the entire set should be replaced. It would be very hard to (although not impossible) to rule out individual batteries) - so we operate on a set basis.
There are several ways to mark your batteries, you can use a marker, or a small sticker with a number, each set gets a number, so you have set 1, set 2, and so on. The PDF here has those numbers made for you along with some charging indicator sauce, will get there.
So you can either print those and tape them on, or use a sticker page (or god forbid, use a marker).
Now, on location you would use the sets going from the low number to the high number. Use set #1 first, then set #2 and so on. You know that the set is full if it has the next number up from the one that you just used.
Using multiple Sets On Multiple Devices
This is where stuff gets really complicated. but fear not, there is a system for that too.
This indicator makes it easy to remember which batteries are charged or not, tape it on battery cases holders .
This is How You Make One
1. Print out the PDF document : charge indicator or the numbered alternative version
2. Cut out the indicator, fold and tape it on the inside of the battery case.
And this is how to use it
Place the positive side of the battery to the green if its charged and turn it around to the red side if it is empty. (If the batteries "rattles" annoyingly you can tape a piece of soft foam inside the battery case.)
If the batteries lays in the same direction as the lid is opened
it is more practical to tape a single sided indicator on the outside.
A Smarter Way To Carry Your Batteries
But there is more. carrying your batteries can be even more fun and comfy. And You get to keep the charge meter.
Materials:
- Elastic webbing: 20-25 mm wide and 24 cm long (4x AA) (21 cm for 4x AAA)
- A stapler
- clear tape
Instructions:
1. Melt the ends with a lighter and fold the webbing on the middle.
2. Staple the webbing 4 times with 21 mm (15 mm for AAA) between the staples and bend in the staple ends with a flat screwdriver.
3. Print and cut out the charge indicator and tape it around one webbing and make sure the tape overlaps on the backside,
4. Place 1 staple above the indicator to prevent it from sliding off.
How to use it
Place the positive side of the battery to the green if its fully charged and turn it around to the red side if it is empty.
About Benvelo
Benny Johansson is a designer and an inventor, you can see a bunch of his other great inventions on Benny's site.
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Comments
Just one word...
AWESOME!!!
the best solution i've found
the best solution i've found up to date is powerPax
http://powerpax.3dcartstores.com/
easy to tell which batteries are live by the way they're inserted and caddies have different colors (even glow in a dark one) for even more organization.
Batteries cases
I've been looking all over for those plastic battery containers. Anyone know where I might be able to buy them?
adorama carries them. i also
adorama carries them. i also got them from manufacturer direct as they have all the colors. can get them on amazon too.
seriously, the best battery case solution i've come across.
where to buy plastic cases
I get those plastic cases here. http://www.all-battery.com/ I buy the sets that come with the cases. I have been using these batteries for several years now and so far they haven't given me any problems. The customer service is good as I had a few of the cases that were no good and they sent me new ones right away.
Try these
http://cgi.ebay.ca/4-x-Battery-Portable-Storage-Holder-Box-Case-AA-AAA-G2-/150511850671?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230b3494af#ht_2671wt_905
Battery Case
I bought a few of them at the Container Store. They come in very handy and with this labeling method, they'll become even more useful.
Battery Management
My main need for batteries (AAA & AA) is for my GPS while Geocaching, but I do need them in my SB-800 too. The GPS eats batteries like snack food.
To keep track of the batteries I use the "Numbered Pairs" as mentioned in this article, but when I carry them in a pack I've found at my LPS (Local Photo Supplier) I keep charged batteries aligned (+ UP). When they are in need of recharging I alternate them One + UP the other - UP. Since I keep them in numbered pairs I can tell at a glance - a matched pair is good to go, a mis-matched pair needs charging.
Or in a hurry, the matched pairs are in the pack, any pairs in my pocket or in the car's console (I did say I was in a hurry) need charging (or recycling).
For my Nikon using the ELN-3's I have marked the cover - on the inside so it doesn't wear off, The mark is in a position that will be over the contacts when it is charged - then when the battery needs charging, I reverse it. One cover works for two batteries, one is in the camera, the other in the camera bag with the cover.
battery cases
I use the plastic battery cases and I just put a laben on one end that says CHARGED. When I charge the batteries the positive end goes towards the CHARGED end and when the batteries are used I put the positive end the other way.
My cases have a small tab on them so I start off with the tabs of the charged batteries all facing right in a box and as they get used I put them back in the box so the tab faces left. That way I know which batteries in the box are charged and I can see how many 'sets' I have left as the shoot progresses.
I came up with a similar method but this is BETTER!
I too came up with a similar method using my food saver. I rolled out a lengthy piece of the plastic sealed one end then advanced the roll and sealed again just so it fit one battery, rinse and repeat for half of the batteries you have. Then cut the entire thing in half and you'll have two battery bandolier's then used a bit of velcro and folded over the excess to close them up so they don't fall out. If they're charged I put em facing up, discharged facing down. Simple and effective, but this method is pretty slick too!
Once I get my photo blog up I'll likely detail the process.
Use a rubber band
I use the plastic cases that each hold four batteries and rubber bands. If the batteries are charged the case has a rubber band around it. No rubber band and the batteries have been used.
This technique is also used with memory cards. If there is rubber band around the memory card case it's a fresh card or else it's a used card so I now not to put it back in the camera.
Wow... a complicated answer to a simple problem
I shoot a lot of weddings and use a lot flashes and batteries at those weddings. This method of "battery management" certainly looks like it works, but it seems to take a long way around to address a very simple problem.
In a nutshell, I group all my batteries in sets of 4. All of the batteries, used and fresh, go into the same box. When they are fully charged, they have a rubber band around them. When they become discharged, they are thrown into the box loose. On a job, I just reach for the banded sets when I need fresh stuff. Once I return to the office, spent batteries are re-banded after charging.
I use chargers that fully drain the batteries, extending their life. Also, I don't use fast chargers in the office.. they destroy batteries quickly. I do keep a 15 minute charger on the job with me, but I carry so many batteries I never actually have to use it, normally about 4 sets for each flash (I carry 5 flashes, but typically use no more than three). Only time in the past year I had to recharge on a job was for a Greek wedding that lasted 14 hours.
Years of doing it this way and I've yet to encournter any snags. Keep it simple stupid!
I got a slightly simplier way
the way i manage mine, is,
if all 4 batteries are pointing at same direction, they are new, and if they are not pointing at same direction, it is used.
but i then I only use 4 at a time since all the flashes i got are using 4 together.
Sets of batteries
Ontopic of the batt holders: i use plastic containers which carry 4 batts. I only use them for flash so they will drain together. I keep a piece of paper in the coltainer which is green on one side, red on the other. When i charge them i put the paper with the green side on top. When I replace a set, i simply turn the paper so the red side is showing. Now i know immediately if a given container contains full or empty batts, because the color of the paper is visible through the plastic of the container. When there is no paper in a container, the batts are probably put in there in a hurry, and are most likeley empty. Now on sets of batts. It is crucial for a longer lifetime of your batteries to know what capacity they can still hold while fully charged. This capacity will diminish over time. Some batteries will be stronger for a long time, while others will die quickly. If you put a battery that has only 50% capacity left while charged, and you have it in a set with 3 other perfect batts, the one broken will be empty a lot sooner. The full stress of charging the flash will be divided among the other 3. So eventually, these 3 will wear off sooner then when you replaced the one broken battery. Or, you will throw away a complete set because you think the whole set is broken. I use the maha c9000 charger, which has the ability to measure the capacity of a battery very precise by charging and then discharging it. I then put batteries with the same capacity in one set. Even batteries which have only 50% left in them are still used as spares. Because they have the same capacity they will still divide power among them equally. I just get less flashes out them :-) Damn long explanation for something quite easy. Hope you guys can cut through the bs to get to the point :-)
This post got a mention on
This post got a mention on hackaday.com:
http://hackaday.com/2011/04/02/manage-your-rechargeables-at-a-glance/
RAD!
Saw this awesome comment by Justin which I am going to implement:
I do this at home with a shot glass: Pointy-end up means charged, pointy-end down means spent! :]
Simple and effective~
Great idea. I'll be using
Great idea. I'll be using this.
Rubber Bands!
I also use the rubber band method. The charged ones are banded and the uncharged ones are loose. I do put identifying marks on each group of four so that when I go to charge them I am keeping them in the same group. Simple! But better than simple, its FAST. Who wants to mess with putting batteries back into a case a certain way in the heat of battle? Not me.
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