Nizo batteries?

[Chris Lynch]

Hello,

First, thanks for all the great steady cam links! I have my work cut out for me.

I've recieved my Nizo 4080 from Ebay, and it appears to be in great shape, but before I can give it its first test, I have to power it. The photocopied manual says that I must use NiCad cells with the provided charger, and that ordinary round cells (AA) aren't "suitable [...] even if they fit into the handgrip in a Nizo battery box instead of the Braun NC accumulator box."

I can't find a date on the manual, but are modern batteries really not good enough?

Thanks,

-Chris

[konton]

This has nothing to do with the quality of batteries.

Regular batteries are 1.5 volts.
Rechargeable batteries are 1.2 volts.

A Nizo was made to handle 7.2 volts.
If you use regular batteries you'll give it 9 volts.

I really don't think you want to give your new camera more voltage than it can handle.

[Giovanni]

Forget the Nickel Cadmium batteries!
Just buy six AA 1.2volt NiMH (=nichel metal hydride) rechargeable batteries: they have no memory effect, last longer, can be recharged a thousand times, cost about three-four dollars each...
Happy shooting!
G.

[Chris Lynch]

You're right Konton, I really don't want to overpower my new camera. Since I've never used rechargeables before, and the manual didn't mention it, I was unaware of the voltage difference.

Thanks for the tip, Giovanni!

[PRM]

Although I now use 1.2V rechargables, the battery holder for my 6080 says 6 1.5V AA. I don't know why.

[cameraguy]

Although I now use 1.2V rechargables, the battery holder for my 6080 says 6 1.5V AA. I don't know why.

The manual for the 1048, 2056, 3048 and 3056 Nizo cameras say to use 1.5v AA batteries.

[wyattali@concentric.net]

Maybe I have missed something here but I just shot 3 rolls using your every day 4 AA batteries in my Nizo 4080 with no problems whatsover.

[shoot1st]

Chris, you may well have a battery box intended for another Nizo model. The 60** and 40** series cameras were all supplied with an "Akku-Box" for recharging 6 1.2v NiCad cells, in or out of the camera, via a mains charger.

Re. the rights or wrongs of using 1.5v alkaline cells in the 6080, it ‘s not really a question of a potential overload, rather that the camera may not be getting ENOUGH power. As I understand it, a 1.2v NiCad cell can provide more power, more efficiently, than a non-rechargeable 1.5v cell (despite the batteries' nominal voltage ratings).

[Pedro]

The key point is the internal resistance of the cells, not the cell voltage. When you try to power the camera with standard cells, even the best ones you can get, you will recognize that the first frames of each scene will turn out over exposed and single frame mode will become nearly impossible. The reason is, that the camera motor must start up such quickly, that it can reach the nominal speed during the first frame! For that, it needs a high current peak at the start up moment. A standard cell limits the current due to it´s internal resistance (current = voltage / resistance). Even with lower cell voltage, a NiCd or MH cell provides a much lower resistance, allowing very high peak current for start up. NiCd even higher than MH, but MH have no memory effect and do not need any special care for charging etc.
Pedro

[ulrichsd]

I have a Nizo 4080 and I wondered the same question. The battery box says to use alkaline (1.5 V) batteries but the Nizo 6080 manual very directly says to use 1.2V batteries. I asked Dr. Peters who I bought my camera from and said he wasn't sure but thought that it doesn't matter which you use. I have never heard of anyone having a problem using either, but I use 1.2V NiMH rechargeable batteries just to be safe. You can get a charger from Radioshack for $20-40, and the batteries are about $10 a pair, which although expensive, will save money in the long run - you might as well be safe and go with the rechargeables.

Scott

[crimsonson]

those 1.5V boxes are for the 800 series cams (801, 800, Pro, etc). Because of the same exact design, people have used it for either series. So when they sell the cameras or give one extra box for free (Like Dr. Peters - who by the way in my opnion dont really know anything about Super 8 and a shady character and a gamble when doing a purchase) the box became "interchangeable".

A true 4080/6080 box has the top part labeled 1.2V.

regarding damaging it? why take a risk? its already getting harder to find a decent repair person for Super 8 cams, let alone the Nizo.