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Rechargeable Batteries

<^< Primary Batteries | Course Index | Mains Power Supply Units >^>(:nl:)

Lead-acid batteries	Nickel-cadmium batteries

A review:

Battery type	Advantages	Disadvantages
Lead-acid 'Gel-cell'	Highest current driving capacity	Damaged if left discharged for long periods
	Can be left 'on-charge'	Heavy and bulky
	High charge capacity
Nickel-cadmium 'Ni-Cad'	Can be recharged up to 3000 times	Prone to 'memory effect'*
	Widely available	Not suitable for very low current applications
	Higher energy density than lead-acid
Nickel-metal hydride 'NiMH'	Can be recharged ~400 times	Need a 'NiMH'-specific battery charger
	High current driving capacity	Loses charge quickly when not in use
	Higher energy density than 'Ni-Cad's
	Less prone to 'memory effect'*
	Quick recharge time
Lithium-ion 'Li-ion'	High energy density	Very expensive
	Hold charge for months	Need a 'Li-ion'-specific battery charger
	No 'memory effect'*
	Light weight

*Memory effect - Can be damaged by repeated charging when not fully discharged.

Summary:

* In most cases, nickel-cadmium batteries will be the choice * Beware the memory effect! If you cannot rely on discharging your batteries each time, before you recharge them, consider using Lithium-ion batteries * For short periods of very high current demand, use lead-acid batteries, unless the weight is a problem.

Battery Do's & Don'ts (to maximize performance)

Do's:

* Properly "condition" the battery when it is new (i.e. fully charge/discharge for first 3 cycles) * Keep the battery and the contact terminals clean * Avoid exposing the battery to extreme heat and cold * If possible, avoid letting your battery sit dormant for long periods of time * Charge and re-condition a battery after an extended idle period

Don't s:

* Drop the battery * Short-circuit the battery * Incinerate a battery. Dispose of it properly - it may contain toxic chemicals

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