Lithium Ion battery compatability

[photon]

I am presently considering utilizing Lithium Ion rechargable type batteries in a M28 Nikon power winder that attaches to an F4 body. However, on enquiry at my local photographic store. The use of this type of cell was not being recomended. This is because of the rather high charge per each AA cell of around 750 mA. Considering the winder employs six AA cells. The total charge could well be in the region of 8.5 amps.

Considering the camera was produced before the advent of Lithium Ion cells. Would I be in danger of damaging the electronics of the camera?. As I dont know wether the electronic regulation against overcurrent in the camera could withstand the potential of such high amperage.

Also, as I employ several types of 35mm SLRs from the 80's and 90's. The same consideration would also apply to these as well.

regards

Photon

[another view]

I'd try to call Nikon (800-NIKON-US if you're in the 'States). I think the F4 came out in about '88 so it wouldn't have been designed for LIon batteries. Whether or not that's a problem, I really can't answer.

I had an F4 with the standard battery pack (trying to remember, 4 x AA's in the camera and 2 x AA's in the power pack?) but never tried anything other than alkaline or maybe NiMh rechargeables. I only had it a short time - got a great deal and bought it with the intention of selling it. Nice camera to work with though!

[freygr]

I am presently considering utilizing Lithium Ion rechargable type batteries in a M28 Nikon power winder that attaches to an F4 body. However, on enquiry at my local photographic store. The use of this type of cell was not being recomended. This is because of the rather high charge per each AA cell of around 750 mA. Considering the winder employs six AA cells. The total charge could well be in the region of 8.5 amps.

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Photon

That is not that much. You can purchase MHiM batteries in AA size with 2.2 Amp Hour rating. The Lithium cell your qouiting must be old technology, but Lithium batteries are also 3 volt per cell so you could exceed the input voltage and damage or destroy the camera if it was designed for 1.5/1.2 volt cells.

[SmartWombat]

It's not the capacity in mAH that matters, but the peak current at which it can deliver that causes trouble.
Alkaline cells have a higher internal resistance, that limits the current that can be drawn. But since they deliver 1.5V not 1.2V less current is required for the same power drain.
Rechargeable cells have lower internal resistance, so you can draw higher current. Since they deliver only 1.2V more current is required to supply the same power needs.

If equipment is not designed to handle that current/voltage combination then there'll be problems.
But that capacity of 750mAH is low compared to a 2500mAH NiMH cell.

BTW if each cell is 750mAH then 8.5 Amps means 12 cells - that sounds like a huge power winder !
But remember the cells are in series, not parallel, so you can only draw the peak delivery current of one cell.

Now if you had that pack of 12 cells wired in parallel, that's going to deliver current to give you a big fat spark ! But only at 1.2V which isn't enough to power much of a motor