Electric power is a very important utility in our daily living. There are 2 kinds of electric power; ac (alternating current) and dc (direct current). AC current is the electric power we receive from a power company. This power is produced in power plants and sent to residences via transmission lines. AC power is created and controlled by electric companies and is the same for all appliances that use AC power. Just plug into it and it is always there. It never runs down.
DC power is much different. DC power comes from batteries. Although AC power is used more in the household, DC power also is used in many applications. Such applications include but not limited to: Lights, alarms, radios, digital cameras, toys, security cameras, backup power, laptop computers, recording devices, automobiles, etc. We are very dependent on DC power due to the large variety of applications.
Batteries are classified into two broad categories:
Primary batteries are intended for use until they run down and then discarded. They produce current immediately. They are used most commonly in portable devices that have low current drain. They are also used intermittently or in places ac current is not available. Primary batteries are made of Lithium or Alkaline.
Secondary batteries are rechargeable and can be used over and over according to their recycle life. Rechargeable batteries are more expensive, but in the long run may save you money if you will be using the device they will be powering for a long time.
Secondary (rechargeable) batteries discharge faster than primary batteries. To guarantee you get the most out of rechargeable batteries they need a certain amount of care:
New Rechargeable Batteries.
A new battery is manufactured and purchased in a discharged condition. It must be charged before use. Upon initial use the battery may require 3 or 4 charge/discharge cycles before achieving it’s maximum capacity. It is important to condition (fully discharge and then fully charge) the battery every 2 to 3 weeks. Failure to do so can significantly shorten the life of the battery. To discharge the battery, simply run the product the battery is powering until it completely discharges. Then fully recharge the battery according to the instructions in the user’s manual.
Battery Handling
It the battery will not be used for a month or longer, it is recommended to remove the battery from the charger and store it in a cool, dry place. A charged battery will eventually lose it’s charge if unused. It will be necessary to recharge the battery after a storage period.
Do not short-circuit the battery. A short-circuit will possibly cause severe damage or even explosion of the battery.
Avoid exposing the battery to moisture or rain.
Don’t drop or strike a rechargeable battery as this could cause exposure of the corrosive cell contents.
Keep batteries away from fire or extreme heat as this may result in explosion.
Memory Effect
NiCad and NiMH rechargeable batteries are prone to what is called the “memory effect”. What this means is, if a battery is repeatedly only partially discharged before recharging, the battery forgets that it has the capacity to further discharge all the way down. For example: if on a regular basis you fully charge your battery and only let it discharge to 40% of it’s capacity before fully recharging again, the battery will eventually become unaware of it’s extra 40% capacity which has remained unused. The battery will still be functional but only at 40% of it’s original capacity. The way to avoid the “memory effect” is to fully charge and discharge the battery at least once every 2 to 3 months.
Technologies
Rechargeable batteries in lighting devices and 2-way radios are principally made of Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) or Lithium Ion (Li-Ion). Each type has unique properties:
NiCad & NiMH: The main difference is that NiMH batteries are the newer of the two technologies and offer higher energy densities. NiMH batteries deliver approximately twice the capacity of the NiCad. This translates into increased run time from the battery with no additional increase in size. NiCad batteries tend to suffer more from the “memory effect” and therefore need more maintenance and care. NiMH batteries are also more environmentally friendly than NiCad because they don’t contain heavy metals.
Li-Ion: This battery has quickly become the emerging standard for portable power. Li-Ion batteries produce the same power as NiMH batteries but weigh approximately 35% less. This is crucial in some applications where weight is a significant factor in the device that is being powered. Li-Ion batteries also do not suffer from “memory effect” and are also environmentally friendly.
Upgrading Batteries
NiCad, NiMH, and Li-Ion are all fundamentally different and should not be substituted unless the device has been pre-configured from the factory to accept more than one type of rechargeable battery technology. The difference stems from the fact that each type requires a different charging pattern to be properly recharged. The device’s internal charger must be properly configured to handle a given type of rechargeable battery.
Maximizing Rechargeable Battery Performance.
There are several steps that can be taken to insure maximum performance:
Break in new batteries. New batteries come in a discharged state and must be fully charged before use. It is recommended to fully charge and discharge the new battery 3 or 4 times to allow it to reach it’s maximum rated capacity.
Exercise batteries. Don’t leave the battery unused for long periods. Use the battery at least once every 2 or 3 weeks.
Prevent the “memory effect”. Keep the battery in top condition by fully charging and then fully discharging it periodically. Exception to this rule are the Li-Ion batteries which do not suffer from the “memory effect”.
Keep batteries clean. Clean dirty battery contacts with a cotton swab and alcohol. This helps maintain a good connection between the battery and the device it is powering.
Battery Ratings and Lifetime.
There are 2 ratings on every rechargeable battery: volts and amp-hours (AH). The amp-hour rating may also be given in milliamp-hours (mAH).
The life of a rechargeable battery that is operated under normal conditions is generally between 500 to 800 charge/discharge cycles. For the average user this translates into approximately 3 years of service. As the rechargeable battery begins to die the user will notice a decline in the running time.
No matter what your battery needs you can find the right battery below. Batteries for all applications and hard to find batteries are available.
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