Comments on: Any issue if we use High amps NiMH battery (2500)with Canon 430EX Flash? Shop person suggested alk cell or 700

By: Jim.Moore

Jim.Moore — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 01:43:04 +0000

The flash specs reference rechargables, so using them is ok:

Power Source
Four AA-size Alkaline Batteries (6V)
Four AA-size Ni-MH (4.8V)

Rechargables have a different (lower) voltage and devices must be designed to use them, which this flash is. No matter the capacity, the voltage is unchanged. Even if the capcity was 100,000 mha, it wouldn’t be a problem.

Get the most capacity you can! It won’t hurt anything and you’ll get a lot more pictures.

By: DougF

DougF — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 09:58:22 +0000

If you can use NiMH cells, it shouldn’t matter what capacity they are. The mAH rating is quite different to battery voltage, which is the critical issue for electronic components. Every NiMH cell will have the same voltage, irrespective of its capacity, and the flash will draw the same current to run itself with either 700mAH or 2500mAH as a result. So you can expect roughly three times the useful life with the larger capacity battery.

By: M L

M L — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:38:51 +0000

I’ve been using 1800-2500mAh batteries with my flash for years and I’ve never had any problem. Alkaline batteries die out real quick when the 2500mAh last for days..

Personally I’d use the 2500mAh, but if you’re worried, use the 700mAh and keep the 2500mAh as backup.