Gumstick PLUS Rechargeable AAs?

[javertim]

I have read on here that rechargeable Ni-MH AAs work fine in the dry battery attachment on RH-10s, etc. However, someone mentioned that when both these rechargeables AND the regular gumstick batteries are installed, a sort of "backward" charge occurs, with the gumstick trying to recharge the attached AA. I understand the way this works, but can someone please tell me if this will cause any internal problems to the machine or even cause shortened battery life? So far, I have used only the AA rechargeable external batteries in my RH-10 and they have worked fine, giving me suitable battery life for my purposes. However, if adding a fully-charged gumstick will give me even more reassurance, I would like to do this.

Thanks! :-)

Tim

[mrsoul]

I have read on here that rechargeable Ni-MH AAs work fine in the dry battery attachment on RH-10s, etc. However, someone mentioned that when both these rechargeables AND the regular gumstick batteries are installed, a sort of "backward" charge occurs, with the gumstick trying to recharge the attached AA. I understand the way this works, but can someone please tell me if this will cause any internal problems to the machine or even cause shortened battery life?

Where did you read about this "backward" charge? I find that interesting. I ALWAYS use the AA attachment with a gumstick when recording live music. Am I shortening my battery life? I really don't think so at least from my own personal experience. I would appreciate more information about the combo of the gumstick and AA.

[javertim]

MrSoul,

I cannot remember in which thread I read about the backwards charge, but I came upon that information while looking for information concerning AA Ni-MH rechargeables for my RH-10. Hopefully someone can shed some more light on this.

[rei-gouki]

On my NH900, I've had the external (with a dry AA) charge my depleted gumstick. I came from using R70 and N707 so I had a habit of running the rechargeable flat before switching to my backup dry AA. Inspection of the manual of the NH900 showed that the power WAS shared, though I had to draw that conclusion from one of the most vague of references. I don't know what Sony was trying to protect making it that vague, but it certainly impeded my ability to use my NH900 properly.

My opinion is that the weaker battery will be charged. I intend to switch to using NiMH AA in my external at some point but I believe, it would work best if you did as the manual sugggests - start with both fully charged. It'll likely drain from the AA first until the mAH drops to the level of the gumstick before draining the batteries in tandem.

I don't know the power balance when you use a full dry AA with a full gumstick, but if the gumstick could handle that, it should be able to handle a fully charged NiMh AA (of the >950mAH or >1350mAH depending on your gumstick). I wouldn't recommend testing your luck by leaving the external hooked up and charged to a fully charge gumstick for too long before using it, though. NiMH have a bad tolerance for overcharging. Note that I am assuming that there's little resistance to the charging from the larger capacity battery, here, which I don't think is the case.