Have you been buying batteries half your life? That doesn't mean you know everything there is to know about them. Your ignorance could be costing you money and time. It's time to debunk the myths about batteries!
Myth number one: You can't recharge disposable alkaline batteries
This may have been a fact in the past, but while the science has evolved, battery manufacturers are not rushing to inform consumers of this fact.
It's clearly marked on the side of most alkaline batteries that they should not be recharged; the warnings are quite stern. "We are told that batteries can explode, but is that true? Absolutely not.
Testers willing to put their lives on the line by recharging the batteries found that they weren't even risking their eyebrows in the manner of a cartoon scientist, much less their lives. Even using short bursts of charging from a high-voltage car battery!
The testers found that the batteries could heat up if overcharged, but the worst-case scenario was a battery that gradually - and without drama - cracked on one side, leaking a very small amount of acid. That's not exactly the fireworks battery users have been warned about.
While using a car battery to charge alkaline batteries is not recommended by any sane person, there are alternatives. You absolutely should not use your standard charger - it cannot tell you when an alkaline battery is being charged, which can lead to the overheating problem mentioned above - but there are devices designed specifically to charge alkaline batteries. Some of these devices can also charge Ni-Mh and Ni-Cd batteries.
Strictly speaking, what happens to alkaline batteries is "reconditioning" rather than "recharging," which allows for 90% recharging of low energy batteries. However, it is possible to get 10 times more energy from the battery's chemicals before it has to be discarded, saving money and being more environmentally friendly.
But be careful: all batteries are susceptible to developing invisible defects that can cause them to burst during charging and damage the charger or its environment. Some chargers will tell you if a battery is discharged, but it's a good idea to buy a separate battery tester to check the condition of any batteries you intend to charge. This is important for alkaline batteries, because the more frequently you recharge them, the longer the battery life will be. And wise for all other batteries, because even the best quality can have defects.
If you have any doubts about the quality of the batteries you are using, it would be wiser to avoid placing reconditioned alkaline batteries in your most valuable equipment.
Myth #2: Battery "memory" is a real problem with rechargeable batteries.
The concept of battery memory is not wrong, but it does not apply to all rechargeable batteries, and it is a problem that is slowly becoming a thing of the past.
But first, what is "battery memory"? Anyone who owns a rechargeable device may have noticed that the battery life seems to decrease as it ages. You may have your own theory as to why this happens, but when it comes to Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries, the short answer is "crystal formation."
In Ni-Cd batteries, crystals form inside as the battery ages. The larger the crystals get, the harder it is for the charge to pass through them. Eventually, entire areas of the battery become inaccessible for use and charging. Failure to fully discharge the battery before recharging has been highlighted as a major cause of the problem.
Fortunately, the problem is not fatal: fully discharging the battery before starting to recharge usually solves the problem. In fact, many charging devices now perform a full discharge. Manufacturers also continue to improve their batteries to get around the problem.
Li-Ion and Ni-HM rechargeable batteries - the preferred choice for devices such as cameras and cell phones - work differently. These types of batteries don't suffer from this problem and therefore don't need to be discharged before recharging.
Li-ion batteries actually have a longer life when charged lightly and often. Letting them discharge before recharging can shorten their life. For cameras, a dead battery in the middle of a shot can result in lost work.
Do not confuse Li-Ion batteries with lithium batteries available in household sizes. Li-Ion batteries are the square packs that come with your cell phone and some cameras, while lithium batteries are long-lasting - but non-rechargeable - batteries sold for high-drain devices like cameras.
Myth #3: More expensive is better
Brand name manufacturers would certainly like you to believe that their "quality" batteries are far superior to generic or "own brand" batteries available on the market. And there's nothing to say that you don't get what you pay for.
However, many unbiased reviews can be found online to show that cheap batteries can do great service. Rechargeable Ni-MH batteries from 7dayshop have always received excellent reviews and very favorable comparisons with the well-known big brands. The internet is your friend when it comes to researching the truth about cheap batteries versus supposedly high quality batteries.
To make the right choice for your device, it is essential to know the differences between the different types of batteries and how they apply to your needs. Lithium and alkaline batteries both have a good high voltage (1.5 and 1.75 respectively), while Ni-Cd and Ni-MH batteries have a lower voltage (1.2), making them unsuitable for many devices that require four or more batteries.
However, unlike Ni-MH batteries, which hold a fairly steady charge until they expire, alkaline batteries steadily lose voltage as their energy is drained. If your device has a power monitor, your choice may be important.
If you're looking for the most environmentally friendly choice, be aware that lithium batteries, while incredibly long-lasting, cannot be recharged and are particularly toxic, as are rechargeable Ni-Cd batteries.
Using a camera, for example, which is an object that consumes a lot of energy? Ni-Cd batteries discharge quickly, which makes them a problem for devices that consume a lot of energy. In fact, Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries self-discharge in a matter of months: essential knowledge for equipping infrequently used devices.
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There are many types of batteries, so before you buy a generic pack at the supermarket, re-evaluate your needs, assumptions and lifestyle. You could save time and money.
