Memory effect of rechargeable batteries?

[squarecut1]

I got this wireless headphone

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-RS1..._cd_ql_qh_dp_t

The headset takes in AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries. I believe these kind of batteries have memory effect.

As soon as you put the headphones on the cradle, they start charging. There is no way to stop that. Also, as the booklet states, the charging light will stay on even if the batteries are fully charged.

In typical use, these will be getting recharged after only slightly or partially discharged. So does it mean I will be going through a ton of these rechargeable batteries? Anyone has any experience of something similar?

Thank you.

 

[Rakehellion]

It'll reduce the capacity of the battery. To refresh it, completely drain the battery and charge it to full.

 

[blankslate]

Nickel Metal Hydride batteries have much less memory effect than Nicad Nickel Cadmium batteries.

The best versions of are the newer nimh batteries that come precharged. those can hold a charge for up to a year.

but don't recharge those with chargers that recharge a battery in an hour or two. because that heats up the battery too much. Use a charger that will charge a battery over a period of about 8 hours.


I have a couple of AA LED lights and using the newer nimh batteries has saved me quite a lot over standard non-rechargables.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel–metal_hydride_battery

look up the Low Discharge section.




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[squarecut1]

Thanks. These newer nimh batteries you are referring to, are they Duracell, Energizer etc or some special brand?

 

[blankslate]

the first ones that came on the market were from Sanyo under the brand Eneloop but Duracell and Energizer have come out with their own lines of Low Self-Discharge rechargeable batteries.

Usually the package will say Precharged in a prominent font to distinguish them as Low Discharge NiMh rechargeables.

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[Jeff7]

I'll throw in another vote for Sanyo's Eneloops.

 

[squarecut1]

Thanks much for the useful info guys

 

[lxskllr]

"Memory effect" is overstated, and generally incorrect. Batteries do best when they aren't deep cycled, and it's better to keep them continuously charged than it is to let them drop all the way before charging. IOW, don't worry about it.

 

[AMD64Blondie]

Here's a good bargain-priced charger:
http://www.amazon.com/Nitecore-Intel.../dp/B005UAI372

Nitecore i4.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

NiCad batteries have the memory effect but aren't used in many electronics now a days. People got scared away from them do to misunderstanding/overblowing the whole "memory effect" deal. They actually have more charge cycles than standard li-ions used by basically everything today.

Li-ions don't have the memory effect, but do not take well to a full discharge. It's actually not good for the battery.

nimhs are also good batteries as well.

 

[who?]

Lithium ions degrade over time even if they're not being used. A three year old lithium battery is about dead.

 

[manly]

"Memory effect" is overstated, and generally incorrect. Batteries do best when they aren't deep cycled, and it's better to keep them continuously charged than it is to let them drop all the way before charging. IOW, don't worry about it.

I disagree, what you're stating is partially true for Li-Ion batteries in most new handheld devices. The part that isn't true is to keep them continuously charged, the cells need a little "exercise" now and then.

NiMH batteries definitely have a memory effect, in my experience.

Granted, standard size battery cells are dirt cheap so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[lxskllr]

I disagree, what you're stating is partially true for Li-Ion batteries in most new handheld devices. The part that isn't true is to keep them continuously charged, the cells need a little "exercise" now and then.

NiMH batteries definitely have a memory effect, in my experience.

Granted, standard size battery cells are dirt cheap so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

In my experience, infrequent use does more to kill batteries than anything. Once you start using them, keep using them til they're shot. Letting a used battery sit on the shelf will kill it faster than if you keep using it(li-ion excluded). Contrary to what a previous poster said, I've had good luck with long term storage of li-ion, but it's the type I have the least familiarity with.