Retra Pro Max - Accu issue

[Barmaglot]

6 minutes ago, Landvogt1893 said:

Because I simply don't feel like traveling around the world with 16 or 32 (required and backup) AA batteries

I agree that it's a bit of a pain, but in the grand scheme of things, it's just a couple small (albeit hefty) plastic boxes in the carryon. Well worth the faster recycle time and all-day endurance. The Li-ion cells in the new Maxi are a much better solution, no argument about that, but I'm not dropping the price of a liveaboard trip just on that convenience. 

[Landvogt1893]

3 minutes ago, Barmaglot said:

I agree that it's a bit of a pain, but in the grand scheme of things, it's just a couple small (albeit hefty) plastic boxes in the carryon. Well worth the faster recycle time and all-day endurance. The Li-ion cells in the new Maxi are a much better solution, no argument about that, but I'm not dropping the price of a liveaboard trip just on that convenience. 

 

 

Yes, I'm a bit stigmatized in that regard. Egyptian customs once confiscated all my Eneloops – they probably just needed rechargeable batteries at home.

I just find it sad that they're currently selling the "old" flashes in promotional campaigns, but can't offer a discount to a customer who isn't really happy with the product to restore their satisfaction.

 

I probably should have just waited for the Maxi 🙂

But as the saying goes, other parents also have beautiful daughters.

[Barmaglot]

6 minutes ago, Landvogt1893 said:

Yes, I'm a bit stigmatized in that regard. Egyptian customs once confiscated all my Eneloops – they probably just needed rechargeable batteries at home.

Egypt is a very special case. September 2020, Taba crossing, they demanded I leave my entire rig at the customs shack, to be picked up within 30 days. Two years earlier, there was no issue, but now they wouldn't budge for love or money. I had three liveaboard booked back to back and had to turn around and go back to Israel. I will dive out of KSA before I set my foot in Egypt again. 

[TimG]

38 minutes ago, Landvogt1893 said:

Because I simply don't feel like traveling around the world with 16 or 32 (required and backup) AA batteries

 

Fair enough. 👍

[CaolIla]

One month ago in Zurich airport security control... wouah 2 x 16 AA baterrie box... ( and a box with 6 x 32650 )
It was the first time i've been controlled... and that the agent wanted to make problems...  To many batterie... but it wasn't Li-ion bat... and I said it for 2 person...

I was lucky the second agent said it's OK... 

[makar0n]

11 hours ago, TimG said:

 

(..)

I've puzzled though, Landvogt, why you don't  want to go with the Boosters and just use 8 batteries at a time. 

(...)

 

 

Pay an arm and a leg for strobes, be forced to spend another half a grand on pretty much "mandatory but not included" battery extension that also increases strobe size/weight, and get to carry half a kilo of batteries alone plus an armful of chargers.

Could not resist. You may spank me now😉 At least left that "Apple 8GB of RAM" thread alone....for now 🤣

Edited March 25 by makar0n

[Edy PARK]

Earlier this year, an Airbus A321 aircraft burned on the ground in Korea due to a lithium battery power bank problem. 

 

 Thankfully, there were no casualties before takeoff.

 

 Since then, the rules have been changed to carry on only 5 lithium batteries on board at the airport in Korea.

 

 Not long ago, I boarded an aircraft and my strobe battery was ni-mh battery, not lithium, so I was able to get through the checkpoint safely. Of course I was on the plane with a lithium battery, such as focus light, light batteries for nightdiving, etc.

 

Recently, Hong Kong Airlines also caught fire due to a lithium battery problem.

 

 Perhaps it will be more difficult to fly with lithium batteries in the early future.

 

 FYI I'm not a Retra user. I'm an inon user, but I'm seriously considering upgrading to a retra pro max that uses a ni-mh battery.

 

 I will use a ni-mh battery powered strobe in the near future for lithium aviation regulations.

[Oskar - Retra UWT]

When traveling, I use a compartmentalized backpack with two strobes, each with batteries installed. Spare batteries stay in the chargers. I’ve never had any issues at security, aside from the occasional curious check, likely due to how the large capacitors inside the strobes appear on scanners. NiMH AA batteries are generally considered safer than lithium cells by airport authorities, as they contain significantly less energy per cell.

 

Regarding the performance concerns with 4xAA batteries: the Retra Flash is designed to protect batteries from overstrain, helping to extend their lifespan. If battery voltage drops too much or too quickly under load, the strobe will stop discharging to prevent damage. Even if the strobe allowed them to operate, you’d face significantly longer recycle times and significantly fewer flashes per charge, leading to a frustrating experience. That’s why it’s recommended to invest in a dedicated set of batteries specifically for use with your Retra Flash. Depending on your location, a set of 4xAA Eneloop PRO batteries usually costs around $20. A small investment for consistent and reliable performance.

[CaolIla]

Yes I bought the last Eneloops pro for more or less 5 € / pc.

In comparaison of the cost of a dive trip...   hummm it's nothing 

The old one (not dead) will be used at home at different place.. where they will last enough. It's the second life for it. 

 

17 minutes ago, Oskar - Retra UWT said:

with two strobes, each with batteries installed.

Not a bad idea

[Barmaglot]

1 hour ago, Oskar - Retra UWT said:

When traveling, I use a compartmentalized backpack with two strobes, each with batteries installed.

I thought regulations were to have batteries outside the devices when possible? I always have my batteries in dedicated plastic boxes and the strobes, torches, etc, empty. 

[Oskar - Retra UWT]

I haven't heard that one before, but perhaps. In any case, AA NiMH batteries remain the more reliable power source when traveling. They're also much easier to replace if something goes wrong during your trip. That's why we plan to continue producing our AA-powered line of strobes, professional users rely on this level of robustness and versatility.

[Barmaglot]

4 minutes ago, Oskar - Retra UWT said:

I haven't heard that one before, but perhaps.

I just looked up IATA guidance for NIMH batteries, and it seems pretty clear:

 

Nickel-metal hydride batteries or 
nickel-metal hydride battery-powered devices, equipment or vehicles are not subject to these 
Regulations provided they are prepared for transport so as to prevent:
a. a short circuit (e.g. in the case of batteries, by the effective insulation of exposed terminals; or, in 
the case of equipment, by disconnection of the battery and protection of exposed terminals); and
b. unintentional activation.

 

To me this reads that while batteries can be transported inside devices, you have to place insulation between their contacts and equipment terminals, as is common while shipping devices from vendor to consumer. 

[Oskar - Retra UWT]

Interesting, I'll consider bringing some plastic cases, just in case airport security enforces those protocols.

[CaolIla]

1 hour ago, Barmaglot said:

I just looked up IATA guidance for NIMH batteries, and it seems pretty clear:

 

Nickel-metal hydride batteries or 
nickel-metal hydride battery-powered devices, equipment or vehicles are not subject to these 
Regulations provided they are prepared for transport so as to prevent:
a. a short circuit (e.g. in the case of batteries, by the effective insulation of exposed terminals; or, in 
the case of equipment, by disconnection of the battery and protection of exposed terminals); and
b. unintentional activation.

 

To me this reads that while batteries can be transported inside devices, you have to place insulation between their contacts and equipment terminals, as is common while shipping devices from vendor to consumer. 

I had the same information in my mind.

I have 2 box with 16 AA each...  
But I will for the next time travel with a extra set of 4 batterie just in case I have trouble with one of my 4x set

[Edy PARK]

There is an international airport where i can carry the battery only when you remove it from your device.

 For example, there was a case where the old light and motion light could not pass through the airport.

 

And i have to put all the aa batteries in the case.

[Chris Ross]

16 hours ago, Barmaglot said:

I just looked up IATA guidance for NIMH batteries, and it seems pretty clear:

 

Nickel-metal hydride batteries or 
nickel-metal hydride battery-powered devices, equipment or vehicles are not subject to these 
Regulations provided they are prepared for transport so as to prevent:
a. a short circuit (e.g. in the case of batteries, by the effective insulation of exposed terminals; or, in 
the case of equipment, by disconnection of the battery and protection of exposed terminals); and
b. unintentional activation.

 

To me this reads that while batteries can be transported inside devices, you have to place insulation between their contacts and equipment terminals, as is common while shipping devices from vendor to consumer. 

I usually travel with one set in the strobes.  An extra plastic case is a cheap insurance if someone gets picky. 

 

However the NiMH doc I found seemed to centred around air cargo shipments.  The passenger regs don't seem to  even mention NiMH batteries inside devices, though I might have skipped over that ??   They go into a fair bit of detail about Li-ion batteries and devices containing them  For general batteries they only talk about prevention of short circuit and I suspect demonstrating that accidental turning it on is difficult impossible would be enough - for example most strobes require turning a knob.  This is the passenger document date Jan this year.

 

https://www.iata.org/contentassets/6fea26dd84d24b26a7a1fd5788561d6e/dgr-66-en-2.3.a.pdf