Frequently asked questions (Q & A)
Q: Why the 1.2V Ni-MH rechargeable batteries has much better performance at high rate applications than the 1.5V alkaline batteries?
A: NiMH batteries are spirally wound design compare to a bobbin type design of a alkaline batteries. The spirally wound design provides high electrode surface area therefore the total current can be much higher at a similar kinetics of the battery electrochemical reaction. Due to the same reason, Ni-MH batteries provide higher discharge voltage than alkaline batteries.
Q: Why should I choose Ni-MH rechargeable batteries over other types of batteries?
A: NiMH batteries are rechargeable up to 500 to 1000 times which means you can save money comparing to rechargeable alkaline of 50 recharges and non-rechargeable batteries. Our NiMH batteries are also designed for power intensive applications such as digital camera, the batteries will maintain a high and consistent voltage during its discharge cycle, unlike the alkaline batteries their voltage drop rapidly at high power demand applications.
Q: What is the ¡°no memory effect¡±?
A: The traditional Ni-Cd batteries world develop memory effect problem if the batteries are discharged at a fixed depth of discharge and then recharged frequently before they have fully drained. ¡°No memory effect¡± means that you can charge the batteries anytime you like without worrying their performance and battery life.
Q: How long a rechargeable battery will last?
A: The charge holding time of an unused rechargeable battery at room temperature is about one to three months depends on the storage temperature. The best storage temperature range is 10 to 20C. batteries are rechargeable up to 500-1000 times depending on discharge and charge current and working condition.
Q: Why should I pay more for the ¡°higher battery capacity¡±?
A: The capacity of Ni-MH batteries is rated in ¡°mAh¡± (mili-ampere hours). If the discharge current is fixed, for example, 1000 mA, the higher capacity means the battery will last longer so you would pay for more in price.
Q: Do I need to charge the new batteries before use them?
A: For the storage and safety reasons, the rechargeable Ni-MH batteries are holding minimum charge. In order to reach the peak performance of batteries, you may need to cycle them several times before usage.
Q: What is conditioning?
A: The conditioning process is used first to drain the charge from the batteries and then charging them. Conditioning can allow batteries to perform at their best standards and eliminate the memory effect of Ni-Cd batteries. For Ni-MH batteries, conditioning is recommended for every ten to twenty charges.
Q: Batteries should not leave in the charger for a long period of trickle charging. Why somes charger can keep the battery in the charger for long time?
A: We should not leave the rechargeable batteries in the charger for a long period of time because the batteries will be deteriorated by the trickle charging current after long term charging. We recommend to taking the batteries out of charger when the charging is completed and keep them in a cool location. However, somes chargers do provide lower trickle charging current for longer trickle charging time compare to most of the chargers. Somes charger provides an autostop function of trickle current after batteries charged to full capacity and then the batteries will be no current rest for seven days and followed by a 200 mA charge for one hour. The rest/one hour charge cycle will be repeated as long as the battery is still maintained in the charger. The battery will be kept full capacity and without damaged by the trickle charge. This unique design will allow user to store the batteries in somes charger with full capacity whenever we need it.
Q: Is it normal that the batteries get warm when charging the rechargeable batteries?
A: It is normal that the batteries will increase temperature during charging Ni-MH or Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries because the increase of internal resistance and less energy conversion efficiency from electric energy to chemical energy. We recommend you leave the lid open during charging to reduce the heat build up inside the charger.
Q: How long will the rechargeable batteries hold their charge?
A: Ni-MH batteries will self-discharging during stand even left unused. The self-discharging rate is depending on the storage temperature. You need to recondition or charge the batteries several times to restore the normal performance.
Battery symbols and terminologies
V Voltage represents the power level of the battery. Just like the height of a reservoir. For Ni-MH or Ni-Cd batteries, they are 1.2V and the alkaline batteries are 1.5V.
mAh
The measurement of battery capacity, mili-ampere hour. The number indicates how long the batteries will last at certain power consumption. The higher mAh batteries will last longer usage time.
mA
The measurement of charging or discharging current, mili-ampere.
C
The rate at which a battery is charging or discharging. Discharging a battery at 0.2C means to drain the battery capacity completely in five hour. Charging a battery at 1C means to charge the battery fully in one hour. 2C charge means using the rate of twice a battery capacity to charge the battery completely in half hour.
CmA
During charging and discharging, CmA is a value indicating current and expressed as a multiple of nominal capacity. Substitute ¡°C¡± with the battery¡¯s nominal capacity when calculating.
Other technical terms:
Parallel charging of batteries
Sufficient care must be taken during the design of the charger when charging batteries connected in parallel.
Reverse charging
Charging with polarity reversed can cause a reversal in battery polarity causing gas pressure inside the battery to rise, which can activate the safety vent, leading to alkaline electrolyte leakage, rapid deterioration in cell performance, battery swelling to battery bursts. Never attempt reverse charging.
Overcharging
Avoid overcharging. Repeated overcharging can lead to deterioration in battery performance and may cause electrolyte leakage.
Rapid charging
To charge batteries rapidly, use the specified charger or charging method recommended and follow the correct procedures.
Trickle charging (continuous charging at low current)
Carry out trickle charge by applying the current of 0.02 to 0.05 CmA. The correct current value is determined depending on the features and purpose of the equipment. Long term trickle charge is not recommended because it may deteriorate the battery performance.
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