> > * Is there something particularly special about Sony's supplied
batteries
> > that makes them different to normal rechargables, therefore explaining
the
> > "warning" in the manual?
>
> Yes, they are nicad. If people were to try charging the rechargeable
> alkaline "renewal" cells they may have a messy leakage of battery acid.
> Plus sony cannot say for certain that it will charge other cells ok.
That's the one major design fault I see in the MZ-R37 - it'd be all too easy
for someone using alkaline cells - be they standard or the "renewal" type -
to accidentally hit "Stop" twice during use while connected to the power
supply, starting the charging process without noticing until it's too late.
The manual for the recorder mentions seperately not to charge normal
batteries.
> Covering there ass in case some mule puts dry cells in and try's to
> charge them.
I figured there was a bit of ass-covering going on there :)
> > * Given that the NiMh batteries have a larger capacity than the
> NiCd's, can
> > I charge the NiMh batteries safely in the MZ-R37?
>
> It will take longer, but most gear is built with decent charger designs
> that will still fully charge it.
I went to grab a pair of the 1300mAh generic cells from Jaycar, but they
only had one left. I'll get those when they restock; for the time being, I
looked around for some other options. One "brand name" cell - "Powerhouse",
if I recall, from China - offered 1300mAh capacity but carried a
recommendation only for trickle charging. I ended up buying a pair of Varta
NiMH AA's (5506) rated at 1100mAh, which stated that quick charging was
possible.
They charged without problem in the MZ-R37, taking just over 3 and a half
hours (as opposed to around 2 hours for the supplied NiCd batteries). Heat
was not a problem, and nothing exploded :-), and the MZ-R37 seemed able to
work out the correct charge time for the batteries.
I tested them against the NiCd cells by running the Sony in record mode on a
blank disc, then erasing the disc and starting again until the batteries ran
out. The results? Impressive. Recording time with the supplied NiCd
batteries freshly charged (after about four full charge/full discharge
cycles) was 175 minutes (just short of Sony's claimed 3 hours). The Varta
NiMH batteries, meanwhile, provided 275 minutes (4 hours 35 minutes) of
recording - that's 1 hour 40 minutes extra. I look forward to seeing what
the 1300mAh cells can do for me :)
Does anyone know of a source, by the way, for even higher capacity NiMH AA
cells?
- Anthony
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