YS90 DX and batteries... Confused...

Hi all,

I'm totally confused as to whether I should be using NiMh in my YS90 DX or not.

I need to go and buy some rechargable batteries and a charger and I know my manual says not to use NiMh, but I get the feeling that alot of you are.

So basicaslly will someone tell me what to buy (batteries and charger)

Thanks.

I've started using NiMH in my YS90.

From all the reading I did the reason not to use them is that they can cause an explosion if contacted by seawater

I am using 2000 mAh NiMH Powertech. I have found them to hold their charge really well, plus they seem to cycle more quickly than the satndard alkaline batteries.

I purchased a smart charger which takes 10 batteries (12 would have been perfect). It can discharge and when charging detect when to switch to trickle for individual batteries which has been great. I recently did a liveaboard (5 dives a day scenario) and with the three sets always had one seton the go and at least one ready to go.

this is the charger ... so good I just bought two more for the digital cameras at work

Charger

Batteries

I am using 2000 mAh NiMh too. I spent 14 days straight in seawater with 2 YS90Dx and not one issue.

Regarding chargers the I have one that does do 12 batteries at once. 4 for the camera and 4 for each strobe. It is a smart charger so it auto switches for the input voltage regardless of what country you are in.

Thanks guys, appreciate the advice. Think I'll go with your suggestion...

Hi Anthony,

I am using a YS-60/S-TTL with NiMH accus with 2100mAh and a 10way charger. I made some tests with cheap batteries and the NiMHs and was quite satisfied.

With the cheap batteries it took a very long time to recharge the YS-60 and they could only flash around 10 times. The NiMHs were as fresh as ever after 75 doubleflashes.

I can´t wait until i can dive next time with my camera and the flash.

Bye

I think that qualification in the manual has since been revoked. I have had zero problems with the batteries.

I think that qualification in the manual has since been revoked. I have had zero problems with the batteries.

You're right there's a flyer dated from March 2003 with the Sea&Sea YS-90DX stating that NiMH batteries can be used for the YS-series strobes (20A,25DX,40A,60TTL/S,N,90TTL Duo,90DX and 120TTL Duo). Sea&Sea mentions that the battery life for the YS-90DX is 260 flashes with a recycle time of 3 seconds based on full light level. They also mention that these specifications depends on the battery specifications, recharging status and frequency of use.

What this flyer does not say is that if you're expecting the YS strobe to mimic the pre-flash and flash of the internal flash of a digital camera, you may only get the pre-flash.

Clément

The 2004 Sea & Sea brochure also qualifies Nimh usage with all strobes that take AA batteries. I think the issue before was the venting of excess hydrogen which can be given off if there's high current draw or leakage. Anyhow, all of the S & S strobes now have *new* covers, including the YS30, which prevent the build up of gases internally.

Andy