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Rechargeable batteries: Q & A
Q: How often should the batteries be recharged? What is the best way to store?
A: Here are some tips of pure gold: Before using a rechargeable battery or a charger, read and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Do you still have Questions? Please contact the manufacturer.
Beyond that recommendation, here are the views prevailing (although opinions vary) of strategies for charging and storage of mainstream rechargeable batteries:
NiMH batteries (including preloaded / Hybrid varieties):
- It can be recharged at any time, no matter the skill level of energy they possess.
- Periodically, it is okay to fully discharge and recharge the batteries. This is known as "conditioning." See the next question for details.
- To begin a prolonged storage period, all NiMH batteries must first be fully charged.
- If left unused for long periods, recharge accordingly: standard NiMH batteries: every 1 to 2 months preloaded NiMHs batteries: every 6 to 9 months
NiCd batteries:
- Better maintained when completely drained before recharging is attempted.
- It is possible that you reduce the throughput capacity of NiCd batteries if recharged before being completely exhausted.
- Doing so could lead to the dreaded "memory effect"-a loss of capacity energy after a NiCd receives a load on a partially depleted state. A NiCd battery tends to "remember" to save only the amount of energy delivering during their latest download.
- NiMH batteries show any measurable evidence of a memory effect.
- For periods long storage, NiCd batteries must first be emptied completely.
Lithium Batteries: Available for microelectronic devices outdoors, but are commonly found in computers, single-reflex digital cameras, mobile phones.
- Refill often, but only a modest amount of energy has been drained.
- The Li-ion batteries are not vulnerable to a memory effect.
- Avoid total exhaustion Li-ion battery before recharging. Doing so will not ruin a Li-ion, but is not seen as a best practice.
- If a fully charged battery Li-ion is attached to the device that also uses household electrical power (a laptop, for example), there is no charging current is applied to the battery. A battery voltage must fall below a certain level in order to accept a recharge. In general, a lithium ion battery can therefore not be charged even if the device is connected and running for an extended period. (Check the device manufacturer's instructions for the instructions for your battery.)
- More load cycles can be achieved if Li-ion battery is recharged after the shock surface (about 30% of capacity, which can be seen in devices providing a measure of power capacity or battery "fuel gauge"). If possible, avoid scheduling recharge after half (50%) or complete (downloads 90% -100%).
- For the ideal long-term storage, opinions vary. All experts recommended the election of a cool place (about 60 ° F (15.5 ° C). Some people in the industry say the battery is acceptable to store a Li-ion battery fully charged while others advised that drainage of approximately 40% to 50% of its maximum capacity before storage. In many cases it is difficult for the average consumer to know the exact levels of capacity, even with devices that offer a fuel gauge "display." Consumers simply do your best estimate.
Q: Is the "air" necessary for all rechargable batteries?
A: Not necessarily, although opinions vary widely on this issue when it comes to NiMH batteries. Your best bet is to consult and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
The Conditioning is the process of "deep cycle" performance of rechargeable batteries, where most (but not all) of the capacity of a battery is depleted, then is fully charged. Many carriers offer new features include a conditioning cycle that can be done with the touch of a button. Here Some basic tips:
- Standard NiMHs: Batteries of State after 10 cycles at normal load. Some industry experts condition NiMHs say every 3 months, especially if the batteries have run out of it or if the battery performance seems slow compared to previous results. Packaging prevents the formation of a crystal within the cell that can reduce its life.
- Like NiMHs Preloaded NiMHs rule 10 cycles, or every three months.
- NiCds: Each charge cycle must be a conditioning event.
- Lithium-ion: It is not necessary. However, if you have a battery pack Li-ion battery with a fuel gauge or capacity indicator, fully discharging and recharging the battery from time to when it is considered a good idea. This allows the electronic fuel gauge will relearn their full capacity levels and keeps the fuel gauge as precise as possible about the life of the battery. Sometime during normal use, many people tend to drain their batteries Li-ion to a level close to nothing, so the next load serves as a conditioning "cycle for the fuel gauge.
Hint: The constraint is beneficial if the battery is recharged frequently after that regular use, but only for brief intervals. Example: A security guard with flashlight short bursts during a ride night.
Q: How many loads can a rechargeable battery you accept?
A: Based on feedback customer and manufacturer claims, my best guess for NiMH batteries is between 150 and 500. Perhaps more, perhaps up to 1,000, according to some claims of the manufacturer. But maybe just a little over 100 if the batteries are poorly maintained. After 500 charges, even the most optimistic estimate puts a NiMH at 80% capacity original energy. If used consistently, a rechargeable battery does not last forever. A battery will lose some of its capacity with each charge. Several factors additional influence their longevity:
- the severity of their power drain (the irregularity of a camera flash strobe vs constant thrust, soft beacon of energy efficiency)
- the frequency of discharges
- the temperatures in which it operates (cold or heat are not friends of the batteries)
- recharge pattern experienced.
Q: Are all created equal shippers?
R: Not really. Some guidelines:
- Do not attempt to recharge a NiMH battery in an old NiCd charger timer-based, which could cause it to overcharge.
- Also, do not attempt to recharge an older NiCd battery in a charger designed for NiMH batteries.
- Called "Intelligent" chargers are preferred. Smart chargers are equipped with microprocessors that automatically shut off the flow of energy when the batteries reach a charge complete. Some may also provide a central "charge" to keep energy levels topped up the batteries are required for use. In some cases, chargers sold with rechargeable batteries are very basic, or "dumb" chargers that lack of sleep timer and other features. This requires the user to be an attentive observer at the time a charge cycle to ensure the batteries do not overheat.
- For NiMH batteries, "fast" chargers are preferred slower "overnight" chargers. Quick chargers often get the job done in less than four hours. (On average, 3 to 6 hours required.) rechargeable batteries are generally thought to last longer if charged with higher currents.
- Major overnight shippers take up to up to 12 hours or automatically and can not stop the flow of energy when charging a battery is fully restored. This puts the batteries to be overcharged and damage. Signs of stress include excessive heat and leaking batteries.
- Some newer "fast" chargers (using the Technology In-Charge Cell Control, or I-C3) refueling NiMH batteries in just 15 minutes.
- If a set of rechargeable batteries has been inactive only a few days or weeks, it is advisable to cap of his office shortly before being put into use.
- A smart guy NiMH battery can be recharged by USB port of a computer.
- Never attempt to recharge a single use battery (alkaline, lithium, high resistance). Note: Some batteries specialized alkaline are designed to be rechargeable, but they accept a limited number of recharges and are not recommended.
- If a NiMH is saved without using For years, may require more than 2 or 3 cycles of unloading-reloading (conditioning) to fully activate the electrolyte. If possible, use a quick charger instead a fast charger in this situation. Most smart chargers offer a conditioning cycle.
- Conditioner could help revive a rechargeable battery that is exhibiting a slow or short positions. If your charger has a conditioning property, a local electronics store may be able to help.
- The terms used here to describe the boots-slow or overnight (12 + hours), fast (3-6 hours), fast (15 minutes), intelligent (microprocessor equipped)-are not universally found in the manufacturer's product descriptions. Look for complaints when loading cycles to determine the capabilities of a charger.
Q: Can you leave batteries in a charger for long time?
R: See the instructions that accompany the specific charger. With the new shippers, particularly those with automatic power off function, the answer may be yes. Most battery experts, however, caution against leaving the battery in the charger for more than a day.
Q: If battery to become warm during charging?
A: All NiMH and NiCd batteries will grow warm during charging. (Interestingly, the lithium ion batteries do not.) Note: The batteries can be very hot fast (15 minutes) chargers. In slow shippers, however, excessive heat is a sign of potential problems. If you notice leaks, terminate the charging process.
Q: What are ideal load conditions Battery?
A: Room temperature, somewhere close to 68 ° F (20 ° C). Extreme temperatures, conditions particularly cold, are resistant to the batteries. (Makes the sludge as electrolyte.) Operating with rechargeable batteries in very hot conditions will reduce duration of their performance.
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