NiMH Battery Care.

[Trespasser]

Hi,

What's the story with charging the new NiMH batteries?

I bought a wonderfully gadgety NiMH charger that reverts to a trickle-charge
once the batteries are full, but I'm not too sure about the necessary state
of charge required before the batteries go in.

Can I safely put half charged batteries into the charger to top them up to
full capacity, or do I have to purposely flatten them first like those
stupid old Ni-Cad batteries I kept wasting good money on by tossing in the
bin?

What about leaving NiMH batteries uncharged during extended periods of
storage? Will I have to necessarily cycle them back to full charge every
6-months whilst they're just lying around like Ni-Cads, or can I just let
them quietly 'leak' to whatever state of charge they so choose until decide
I need them next?

Yes, yes, I could have searched and searched, and eventually assembled the
necessary facts. That wouldn't have been half the fun, and I won't have had
the opportunity to hear the wise thoughts and suggestions from the selection
of generous and benevolent experts that I'm hoping to.

Regards,
Dhr Tressie

 

[fritz]

"Trespasser" <valid@email.address> wrote in message
news:fsOdndocIPFMm77WnZ2dnUVZ_tednZ2d@westnet.com.au...

Hi,

What's the story with charging the new NiMH batteries?

They are far easier to use than Nicads.

I bought a wonderfully gadgety NiMH charger that reverts to a
trickle-charge once the batteries are full, but I'm not too sure about the
necessary state of charge required before the batteries go in.

NiMHs can be fully recharged from any discharge state.

Can I safely put half charged batteries into the charger to top them up to
full capacity,

YES, unless your charger is an inadequate el-cheapo design.

What about leaving NiMH batteries uncharged during extended periods of
storage? Will I have to necessarily cycle them back to full charge every
6-months whilst they're just lying around like Ni-Cads, or can I just let
them quietly 'leak' to whatever state of charge they so choose until
decide I need them next?

Silly question - if you are not going to use them fonce every 6 months then
why
are you buying rechargable batteries anyway? Buy normal alkaline batteries
if you
are only going to use them once in a blue moon. They keep their charge
for far longer than NiMH or NiCads.

 

[John Savage]

"Trespasser" <valid@email.address> writes:

What about leaving NiMH batteries uncharged during extended periods of
storage? Will I have to necessarily cycle them back to full charge every
6-months whilst they're just lying around like Ni-Cads, or can I just let
them quietly 'leak' to whatever state of charge they so choose until decide
I need them next?

If you would like the cells to retain charge for many months, a handful
of manufacturers make a second line of NiMH cells which retain 80% of
their charge even after 6 months. Typically these cells are about 10%
more expensive, and carry a rating of 10% less mAhr capacity, compared
with their ordinary AAA and AA NiMH cells. Varta is one such brand.
--
John Savage (my news address is not valid for email)

 

[Murray R. Van Luyn]

"John Savage" <rookswood@suburbian.com.au> wrote in message
news:0912160000009.16Dec09$rookswood@suburbian.com...

"Trespasser" <valid@email.address> writes:
What about leaving NiMH batteries uncharged during extended periods of
storage? Will I have to necessarily cycle them back to full charge every
6-months whilst they're just lying around like Ni-Cads, or can I just let
them quietly 'leak' to whatever state of charge they so choose until
decide
I need them next?

If you would like the cells to retain charge for many months, a handful
of manufacturers make a second line of NiMH cells which retain 80% of
their charge even after 6 months. Typically these cells are about 10%
more expensive, and carry a rating of 10% less mAhr capacity, compared
with their ordinary AAA and AA NiMH cells. Varta is one such brand.
--
John Savage (my news address is not valid for email)

That's handy information.

Thanks, John.

 

[Larry]

"Murray R. Van Luyn" <valid@email.address> wrote in message
news:RbednYYtobZO2anWnZ2dnUVZ_hadnZ2d@westnet.com.au...

"John Savage" <rookswood@suburbian.com.au> wrote in message
news:0912160000009.16Dec09$rookswood@suburbian.com...

"Trespasser" <valid@email.address> writes:
What about leaving NiMH batteries uncharged during extended periods of
storage? Will I have to necessarily cycle them back to full charge every
6-months whilst they're just lying around like Ni-Cads, or can I just let
them quietly 'leak' to whatever state of charge they so choose until
decide
I need them next?

If you would like the cells to retain charge for many months, a handful
of manufacturers make a second line of NiMH cells which retain 80% of
their charge even after 6 months. Typically these cells are about 10%
more expensive, and carry a rating of 10% less mAhr capacity, compared
with their ordinary AAA and AA NiMH cells. Varta is one such brand.
--
John Savage (my news address is not valid for email)

That's handy information.

Thanks, John.

*****

I've been using these Sanyo Eneloop batteries for over well a year and
happy. They will hold charge for months. Take a look here:
http://www.eneloop.info/home/general-description.html

Larry

 

[Mark Harriss]

John Savage wrote:

"Trespasser" <valid@email.address> writes:
What about leaving NiMH batteries uncharged during extended periods of
storage? Will I have to necessarily cycle them back to full charge every
6-months whilst they're just lying around like Ni-Cads, or can I just let
them quietly 'leak' to whatever state of charge they so choose until decide
I need them next?

If you would like the cells to retain charge for many months, a handful
of manufacturers make a second line of NiMH cells which retain 80% of
their charge even after 6 months. Typically these cells are about 10%
more expensive, and carry a rating of 10% less mAhr capacity, compared
with their ordinary AAA and AA NiMH cells. Varta is one such brand.
--
John Savage (my news address is not valid for email)

I found the run of the mill Vartas will retain usable charge for several
months between charges for digital camera use,this is the "Power Accu"
type. The only problems so far is a couple have leaked out of 24 cells
and the cases can develop rust if stored in damp environments.