580EX II eating batteries

[Fireball]

Does anyone else have this problem with this flash? It's very exasperating! I put 4 AA batteries in, put it back in it's protective bag, take it out after a few days (with no use) and it's back to really slow firing again. What's with that? Should I just remove the batteries every time I'm not using it? What would cause this?

[swanny338]

Are they rechargeable batteries or regular ones.

[Hogleg 44]

What kind of batteries are you using Charrie? Single use or rechargeable? If rechargeable, Nimh or nicad?
If nicad, they may have developed a memory and are near the end of their lifecycle.
I have not had this problem, but I usually have my 580 hooked up to a Canon external battery pack. But I get many hundreds of flashes with my setup before I have to recharge.
Also, is your flash set to ETTL or one of the manual settings. Manual can use much more of the batteries power.

[Fireball]

I do not use rechargeables, usually just Energizer ones. I also only use manual mode.

[Fireball]

So none of you experienced photogs know what's causing this? Hmm...

[Angelo]

I have the same flash and I'm impressed at the number of flashes it puts out on one charge (Sanyo Eneloop).
When using throw aways I'd use the Energizer Lithium and they'd last me what seemed to be forever.
Most of my shooting however is for fill in outdoors and I turn it down to -1/3 through -1 1/3. Indoors I bounce flash so that takes a bit more juice and I'm still impressed at the amount of shots per battery or charge.

[picman]

Mine has been sitting around for weeks with the batteries in it. I just tried it and it fired off fine.

Is the power switch getting flicked to on when you put it into the bag? It would go into stand-by mode, but there would still be some power consumption.

[Fireball]

Nope. Completely stays off. I haven't tried the Energizer lithium ones. Right now I'm just removing the batteries when I put it back in the bag. Strange.

[dracula02]

how old are the batteries?

[Fireball]

Brand new, right out of the package every time.

[kronos2818]

You may have a short somewhere that is slowly draining your batteries. Like a wire or small piece of metel that is touching the batteries, making a connection and draining you batteries.

[dartlrt]

Sounds like a short to me too. I would send it in to Canon and have them look at it.

[Fireball]

Really? Hmm, hadn't thought about that. I sure would hate to do without it for weeks. Thanks for the suggestion. Will look into it.

[canon_shooter]

Originally Posted by Fireball

I do not use rechargeables, usually just Energizer ones. I also only use manual mode.

How many shots do you take at full power? 580's are really tough on batteries. Alkalines will usually last around 150 - 200 shots and it'll start slowing down around 100 or so shots.

There are pro's and con's to the different types of batteries but the general consensus is to go rechargeable. My recommendation are the Maha PowerEx batteries. Purchase two sets - that way you'll have a second set ready if the first runs out of juice.

Here's a quick little article about your power options.

[Rson]

Originally Posted by kronos2818

You may have a short somewhere that is slowly draining your batteries. Like a wire or small piece of metel that is touching the batteries, making a connection and draining you batteries.

I vote for this.