Li-Ion vs. NiMH Batteries

[petepham]

Are there any advantages, disadvatages to these two types of batteries for portable devices (particularly cellphones in my case)?

 

[jeremy806]

My understanding is that Li-ion batteries have higher capacity than Nickel Metal Hydride.

But, NiMH may be re-charged more times during it's lifetime.

I would get whatever is cheaper for a phone. For a laptop or video camera, I would go Li-ion.

Jeremy806

 

[AndyHui]

Go with Li-ION batteries. Lighter, carry more power per charge (lasts longer), not subject to the memory effect that Ni-MH has. Ni-MH is cheaper than Li-ION though.

 

[JackMDS]

Here you can find a primer of NiMH.

http://www.thomas-distributing.com/maha-educate-batteries.htm

Li-ION characteristics are as described in Andy?s post above me Plus:

?They have mainly flat discharge characteristics, good capacity realization over a wide range of temperatures (-20 to +60C) and currents, and a projected Long storage life at ambient temperatures without significant loss of capacity. ?

 

[joeryu]

<< Go with Li-ION batteries. Lighter, carry more power per charge (lasts longer), not subject to the memory effect that Ni-MH has. Ni-MH is cheaper than Li-ION though. >>



nickel cadmium batteries have the memory effect, nickel metal hydride does NOT have the problem. i prefer to use Li-ion batteries for big things like camcorders and laptops, and prefer ni-mh for smaller things like my md player, gba, cd player, etc.

 

[AndyHui]

NiMH DOES HAVE the memory effect. It's just not as really beat up when it happens as compared to Ni-CAD. Trust me.....I've gone through several NiMH batteries for several laptops and various other devices.

 

[psteng19]

I too thought the NiMH did not suffer from the memory affect. I think I saw it on the NiMH battery packaging.
But they're great for small electronic devices such as a digi-cam, MD player, etc.
Lithium Ion for laptop and camcorder.

 

[bozo1]

Most battery makers now admit that NiMH batteries do have a memory effect. I'm starting to wonder about Lithium too - I can't get more than 3-4 months out of a battery before its life is significantly shorter.

 

[bevancoleman]

NiCad : Bad memory effect, dosn't discharges as fast (shelf-life)
NiMH : Small memory efect, dischanges faster than NiCad.
Li-ion: Very light, but a fairly short shelf life (dosn't matter if you are using the battry, only if you keep a spare). Li-ion batteries should also not be left in direct sun light, they can go critical when heated (I not joking, while they probably wont explode they will melt)

All rechageable will die after a time, the capacity after 1 year is vastly down.

 

[Shudder]

NIMH Discharges VERY fast at the end of its life.

FOr instance, with a Palm device, if your batteries (alkaline) are too low to the point that it won't turn on, you can still keep your data for weeks on the leftover juice. With NIMH I don't think it's been longer than a week and bam, everything's completely dead.

 

[HamHam]

Nimh does not have a memory effect. I used them to race my stock cars and they worked great, get the cheapest of the two.

Hamham

 

[MWink]

I would always buy Lithium Ion batteries if given a choice. They seem to have a longer life. I have worked on 2 laptops with NIMH batteries and one had a completely dead battery (charged to 1%) and the other one lasted only a few minutes. My Dell Latitude which is older than both of them has a Lithium Ion battery that still holds almost a 2 hour charge.

Also when it comes to cell phones you probably want it to weigh as little as possible. Lithium Ion batteries don't weigh nearly as much as NIMH/NICD.

 

[Ethernet]

My dads laptop can use both, and the li-ions seem to last about an hour longer.

 

[LarryJoe]

I also thought NiMH did not have the memory effect problem. Anyhow, they are cheap enough to buy annually.

Walmart
Rayovac 1600amh
4 Pack AA's
$9 and change.

 

[Mday]

lithium is definitely better. (silver is better than lithium)

here is our range of commonly used rechargeables: lithium, nimh, rechargeable alkaline, nicad.

avoid nicad at all costs since nimh is out.

lithium is the best of those 4. rechargeable alkaline is arguably better and worse than nimh. i can't debate the issue.

nimh has NO memory effects, which makes nicads all the more BAD!

also: alkaline AND nimh come with different levels of mAh for the same capacity. the higher the mAh, the better for high drain devices.

lithiums rule =) though.

silver oxide is much better, but SOOOOOOO EXPENSIVE. ;-)