With the popularization of devices such as digital cameras and MP3-Players, rechargeable batteries are increasingly sought-after. The main reason is the fact that batteries disposable they are expensive for those who need constant use of them. This article will show you the main characteristics of rechargeable batteries (including the capacity – mAh) and will discuss the most common types (NiCd and NiMH).
What are rechargeable batteries?
A stack of conventional is discarded when its charge is depleted or is in low level of energy (low). With a rechargeable battery, just use an instrument appropriate for your power load is re-established. With this, the stack can be used again.
It is important to note that a cell (or battery) conventional it can be recharged. Although there are devices to do this, the composition chemistry of this type of stack is not prepared for refills. As a result, it can happen leaks (and poisoning from), a malfunction of the device and even explosions!
The rechargeable batteries are able to receive the recharge, however not so infinite. The default validity of these batteries depends on of its kind and of its good use.
Types of rechargeable batteries
The market offers basically two types of rechargeable batteries: NiCd and MiMH. Learn more the following:
NiCd (Nickel Cadmium)
Also called Nickel Cadmium, this is the kind rechargeable battery that came first. Usually the NiCd batteries they are cheaper, but have shorter life time, in addition to having a lower load capacity.
Batteries Nickel Cadmium may suffer from a problem called “memory effect”. When this occurs, the stack ceases to be charged fully for its chemical composition give the signal that the load is complete. To understand better, imagine that a battery has a memory effect that reaches 10% of its capacity. This indicates that your load will be 90%, because the stack will indicate that the remaining 10% are already loaded.
The memory effect happens when the waste load on the stack induces the formation of small blocks of cadmium. The best way to avoid the problem is not to recharge when the battery is partially discharged. It is best to wait until the stack “stay weak”, and you will not be able to use it in your unit and then recharge it.
The NiCd batteries are increasingly in disuse, since, in addition effect memory, having smaller capacity and a shorter useful life, this type of battery is very polluting, since the cadmium is a chemical element highly toxic and harmful to the environment.
NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride)
Also called Nickel Metal Hydride, NiMH batteries are the most currently used because they offer greater capacity, longer life, support more refills compared to NiCd (depending on the manufacturer,this may not be true) and is less polluting, since do not use heavy materials, such as cadmium. Another advantage of this type is the non-existence of the memory effect.
There is also a type called LiIon (Lithium Ion), also known as Lithium Ion. Batteries that use this default are the most advantageous, since they possess time of life larger and may have a greater load capacity, but are more expensive and it is difficult to find batteries in formats AA and AAA with this technology.
The energy capacity of batteries is measured in milliamps per hour, the acronym of which is mAh. Thus, it is necessary to to know the consumption of each appliance for measuring the time duration use of the stack in the device.
As an example, imagine you have a MP3-Player that uses a stack of type AAA, and consumes 200 mA. If the stack has capacity of 1000 mAh, its duration will be:
1000 / 200 = 5 hours
It is clear that this calculation is not accurate, already which other factors and characteristics of the device may increase the consumption.
Chargers
As the name indicates, chargers are devices responsible for to recharge the batteries. The procedure for this is often simple: just put one or two pairs of rechargeable batteries in the device and slide it into a wall outlet.
This mode of work makes us think that the loading of the stack is done transferring the energy of the network stack, such as if you draw water from a faucet to fill a bottle. In fact, it is not so simple.
The process of recharging of batteries consists in passing an electric current by them in a way that the energy is “captured” and stored. As the greater the current (chargers faster), the smaller is the recharge time. However, the highest “speed work” causes the generation of heat increase, reason by which you must choose a charger that is able to identify when the stack is fully charged to cut off the current. The super-heating you can make the battery leak and, at worst, explode.
In the market, are the most common devices that make a recharge more slow. The advantages of this type are in the price and decrease drastically from the risk of super-heating of the batteries. In addition, the batteries end up having longer life.
In choosing a charger, you prefer the models that work with both NiCd as with NiMH. Give preference to devices that cut the current (in fact, maintains a low current to keep the power on the stack) when your load is complete.
Batteries false
With the increasing use of rechargeable batteries, the industry pirate not only falsify batteries conventional. Depending on the place, it is much easier to find batteries false than true. The reason of such distribution is to offer for a price well more into account.
The batteries fake – whether they are conventional or rechargeable batteries – can bring disorders. This type of battery should be avoided for the following reasons:
:: Often has less capacity than informs the packaging;
:: Uses technology less than advertised, for example, NiCd instead of NiMH;
:: you Can have lower quality and leak more easily;
:: you Can have life time shorter than normal.
The counterfeiters batteries are also very skilled in this “art”. Even so, it is possible to discover when a stack is false observing a series of characteristics. For example, it is common pirates announce that a AA battery has 3600 mAh battery, when, in fact, the maximum what has been achieved (up to the closing of this article) is 2600 mAh.
Therefore, it is recommended to buy batteries in the shops or sites renowned. When in doubt, you can contact a manufacturer or distributor official to know which outlets or sites sell the product. Can be a little more expensive to purchase the original, but at least you will not be buying “a pig in a poke”.
Ending
The rechargeable batteries are very useful and some small care help you take advantage of them more. Avoid exposing them to heat and manipulate them in a safe place to prevent them from falling on the floor. If a stack present leak or signs of rust it is best to dispose of it (you can do this by using a suitable collection).
Choosing well and taking care of your batteries, your MP3 Player, your camera digital, other devices, and your pocket will thank you.
