Is it safe or even worthwhile to recharge regular alkaline batteries?

[Doggiedog]

Just wondering.

 

[Joony]

stick with rechargable nimh batteries

 

[Angrymarshmello]

"Do not install backwards, charge, or put in fire - may explode or leak"

What part of that do you not understand?

 

[Doggiedog]

I've got some NiMH rechargeables but my kids go through them so fast I always end up using alkalines. I'm just wondering if I can recharge those used alkalines.

 

[NetworkDad]

Invest in some good NiMH for your kids. It will save you lots of money!

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
"Do not install backwards, charge, or put in fire - may explode or leak"

What part of that do you not understand?

I think its a generic disclaimer. I've never heard of a 1.5V battery blowing up because its been put in backwards.

 

[Doggiedog]

Like I said, I've got rechargeable batteries. But I'm not going to go out and buy 20 AAAs and 20 AAs for all the toys I've got. I'm wondering if recharging alkalines are feasible. I've seen limited recharge alkalines on sale that can be recharged 8 times or so and I'm wondering if those are just plain old rebadged alkalines or if they are really any different.

 

[NetworkDad]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Like I said, I've got rechargeable batteries. But I'm not going to go out and buy 20 AAAs and 20 AAs for all the toys I've got. I'm wondering if recharging alkalines are feasible. I've seen limited recharge alkalines on sale that can be recharged 8 times or so and I'm wondering if those are just plain old rebadged alkalines or if they are really any different.

Fine, its your risk if you want to try and recharge them. Don't say ATOT didn't warn you.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Energizer.com FAQ

What is the difference between alkaline and rechargeable batteries?
Although there are many different types, batteries are generally divided into two types?primary and secondary. Primary batteries are used once and thrown away. Secondary batteries can be recharged and used again. Generally speaking, alkaline batteries are primary batteries. Rechargeable batteries contain reversible chemical materials, allowing them to be recharged again and again.

IE, in the process of making electricity, in normal batteries the electrodes and electrolyte (zinc & alkaline, respectively) are distorted and largely destroyed. In rechargeable batteries:

Nickel-cadmium rechargeable cells are constructed of alternating layers of porous, negative cadmium anode and porous, positive nickel oxide cathode separated by absorbent layers, all permeated with electrolyte and all inside a nickel-plated steel case.

Both the cadmium anode and the nickel oxide cathode material are contained in plates. The plates are conductive, increasing the efficiency of the system. Because of this design, the anode structure is not seriously distorted as the cadmium is oxidised, nor is the cathode structure as the nickel is reduced. This gets over the biggest problem of recharging batteries - the distortion.

Recharging pushes a current through the battery therefore making it "useful" again.

 

[BlueApple]

you CANT recharge them.

 

[Doggiedog]

Thanks for the info.

These are the alkaline rechargeables I was talking about. I noticed them because they were slightly cheaper than regular NiMH rechargeables but had a higher voltage rating.

 

[MWink]

Higher voltage rating means basically nothing. A higher mAH rating is what you want. DO NOT RECHARGE ALKALINE BATTERIES. The ONLY way you can recharge an alkaline battery without it exploding is if you use a charger SPECIFICALLY designed to recharge alkaline batteries. They use a completely different charging method from normal NICD/NIMH chargers. They do exist but I don't think they work very well.

Even if you do recharge an alkaline battery after only a few (at best) cycles it will have a lower capacity than even a NICD battery. You are much better off getting some NIMH batteries as everyone else has stated. If you decide not to listen to me (and everyone else) about recharging alkaline batteries, I strongly suggest you leave the room the charger is in while they are charging. I once tried recharging a button cell (watch battery). It exploded covering the charger in acid and the battery casing flew half way across the room. I'd hate to see a AA (god forbid a D cell) explode. :Q