Difference between revisions of "Batteries"

Latest revision as of 18:14, 15 September 2024

Some PocketWizard radios require batteries.

CAUTION

Turn OFF your equipment (PocketWizard units, electronic flash units, cameras, etc.) before making connections or changing batteries.

Battery Chemistry

PocketWizard radios will operate reliably using just about any pair of ~1.5 volt AA batteries, regardless of the type of battery chemistry. Alkaline, lithium, nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium, and other battery chemistrys may vary somewhat in total life expectancy, but all are compatible. PocketWizard radios will report the most accurate remaining battery life using Alkaline batteries, since other chemistrys have a slightly different voltage discharge curve, which is how the remaining life is measured.

Regardless of the particular battery chemistry, the radios regulate the battery power which gives excellent performance throughout the entire life of the batteries. The units will continue to function normally until the batteries are nearly exhausted.

The voltage regulation in our radios is very efficient. There is usually only a small benefit when using lithium (non-rechargeable) batteries. Lithium batteries are designed for the quick burst high current draw found in cameras and portable flash devices. Expect only a 10-20% longer battery life (approximate) over alkaline batteries when using lithium batteries.

FlexTT5, Canon or Nikon

Note proper polarity

Install 2 fresh AA (IEC:LR6) batteries into the FlexTT5 Transceiver. Make sure to note proper polarity.

Alkaline batteries are recommended. Rechargeable or other chemistry batteries will also work, though life expectancy may vary.

Life expectancy = approximately 60 hours with alkaline batteries.

MiniTT1, Canon or Nikon

Note proper polarity

The MiniTT1 saves batteries by automatically entering an extremely low power state when the camera enters sleep mode, or if not on a camera and TEST is not pressed for 10 seconds.

Install a fresh CR2450 coin cell battery into the MiniTT1 Transmitter. Make sure to note proper polarity. When the battery is in the radio, you should be able to see the + sign.

Life expectancy varies based on usage profile, as well as camera and flash models. When using a CR2450:

• Canon MiniTT1 = 100’s of hours/thousands of triggers
• Nikon MiniTT1 = approximately 30 hours of camera awake time

Basic Trigger Mode consumes the coin cell battery more quickly and is not recommended when using the MiniTT1 for Nikon on a Nikon camera, or when using the MiniTT1 for Canon on a Canon camera.

Low temperature can significantly affect coin cell performance. Always use fresh batteries in cold temperatures. Make sure to read the Safety Warnings about temperature.

MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 Status LED

Look at the normal Status LED blink to determine battery level, or use the PocketWizard Utility.

LED Blink

1 Green blink = More than 50% remaining

2 Amber blinks = Warning – less than 50% remaining

3 Red blinks = Less than 25% remaining – change immediately

These battery levels are tuned for alkaline batteries in the FlexTT5 and a standard Lithium coin cell in the MiniTT1. Other battery chemistries can work, but their battery level may not be reported accurately.

Please note: The LED battery level blinks are based on the discharge curve and voltages of standard Alkaline batteries. Those are the most common and most predictable. Rechargeables have slightly different voltages, very different discharge curves, and, considering the different chemistries and aging of the batteries, are less predictable from the LED's perspective. It would be nearly impossible for us to make an LED battery level blink that accommodated all chemistries and aging of rechargeables.

You can still use your rechargeable batteries, but you need to build your own mental map of how they perform over time. If your rechargeables last 20 hours, then plan accordingly. If they blink amber when fully charged, then work with that information. If they only last a few hours when the LED blinks red, then use that information. The radios will reliably measure the voltages, but the LED colors and blinks will have different meanings for your batteries relative to alkalines.

The radios will continue to work reliably and consistently until the batteries are exhausted. They are low current draw devices, and take very little power from the batteries to operate. They will have the same range and performance when the LED is green, amber or red. At the very end of the batteries life (LED has been red for a while) they might begin to have issues depending on how well the batteries recover at low voltage, but up until that very end point they should operate identically shot to shot.

MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 Battery Meter in the PocketWizard Utility

To see your battery level in the PocketWizard Utility, make sure your MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 are turned on (set to C.1 or C.2) before you connect the USB cable. Hover your mouse cursor over the battery icon to get an exact voltage and battery status.

Storage

For all PocketWizard products,the storage temperature range, without batteries, is above -30° C (-22° F) and below 85° C (185° F).

Always remove batteries during storage.

Battery Warnings

WARNING – To avoid battery leakage, follow these guidelines:

• Always remove the batteries when the unit is not in use for extended periods of time, or during shipping or long distance travel.

• Never mix old and new batteries. Always use a fresh pair of matched batteries.

• Always change batteries promptly at the first indication of low battery operation.

• Do not use or leave the unit in extreme temperature or humid environments.