NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #31/NN_1992_31.iso/spool/misc/consumer/21297

Text File | 1992-12-30 | 2.8 KB | 64 lines

Newsgroups: misc.consumers
Path: sparky!uunet!s5!joec
From: [e-mail] (Joe Collins)
Subject: Re:  rechargeable batteries
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Organization: None
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 16:15:23 GMT
Lines: 54

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Alexander Finogenov) writes:
>In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Hillel Meyers) writes:
>: Is there a problem with keeping my Sony Camcorder batteries always in the
>: recharger once they have been discharged completely?  Can I place them in the
>: recharger after a single use even though they are not fully discharged?  I
>: seems they are always runni|> ng down while I am not using them.
>:
>
>In one of the early 1992 issues of Consumer Reports there is an info about
>camcorder batteries. If I remember correctly, they mentioned that the nicad
>batteries have "memory" about previous charge(s). Such batteries must be fully
>discharged before you may recharge them.
>
>Alex

NiCad batteries should be stored in the uncharged state and then charged
before using, i.e. the night before. When fully charged and on the shelf,
they SLOWLY lose their charge - I recall something like 1% per day or so.
NiCads can also develop memory effects. If you have a nicad that is 1/2
discharged and you recharge it and do this a few times, it will lose the
effect of fully discharging (or something like that). One way to fix this is
to deep discharge the battery, i.e. fully discharge it (but don't short it out
to do this).

My SONY TR81 camcorder says to put the battery in the camera, take out
the tape and then leave the camera on to discharge the battery. I don't
think this deep discharges it but it does have the desired effect of
draining it so it can keep taking a full charge the next time.

For the smaller AA, D, C type cells, I plan to build a simple device
to drain them individually, perhaps through a 1.5v light. It is optimal
if you can deep discharge each cell individually. [My camcorder battery
is a combination of cells and thus I'll let the camera do the job].
I might even build a simple charger so I can charge the cells individually.

BTW, a Nicad puts out 1.2volts per cell while standard AA, D, C, etc
put out 1.5v - this can be significant when you combine them:
 12v in nicad cells means 10 cells (10x1.2)
 12v in standard cells means 8 cells (8x1.5)

Lastly, Lead-acid batteries (e.g. car batteries) should be stored in
the fully charged state unlike the NiCads which should be stored
in the discharged state. The standard batteries are not rechargeable,
i.e. alkalines etc and bad things can happen if you attempt this.

Why different voltages and methods of storing them? Different chemistries
going on.....

Hope that helps...

Joe
[e-mail]