Rather stupid question: Which batteries do you have to run down before recharging?

[Swanny]

Hello all,

This is a pretty stupid question, but I'd like to know the answer.

Which type(s) of batteries do you have to run all the way down before you recharge to get a good charge? I know Nickle Cadmiums are that way, but are there any others?



Thanks,
Swan

 

[Scootin159]

NiCD you do
NiMH you don't

 

[Swanny]

Originally posted by: Scootin159
NiCD you do
NiMH you don't

Ok, thanks. What about Lithium ion?

 

[Scootin159]

Originally posted by: Swanny

Originally posted by: Scootin159
NiCD you do
NiMH you don't

Ok, thanks. What about Lithium ion?

Don't know, sorry

 

[Cyberian]

Ok, thanks. What about Lithium ion?

I am almost positive that they do not have to be run down before charging, but verify it before making a purchase or a large wager.

 

[Antoneo]

I am pretty sure lithium ion batteries do not have the "memory effect".

 

[fr]

lithium ion batteries do not have the "memory effect".

 

[gopunk]

lion is the best, with nimh in second. i wouldn't buy nicd if you can help it. everybody else is spot on with what they have said.

 

[dethman]

i dont believe it's necessary for either lion or nimh but i know people who like to run it down occasionally anyway because it makes them feel better.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: dethman
i dont believe it's necessary for either lion or nimh but i know people who like to run it down occasionally anyway because it makes them feel better.

for nimh, you get a longer life if you occasionally condition them, which is just complete discharge and recharge.

 

[Passions]

nicd memory effect is not really true, just a misnomer.
Text

 

[MWink]

I don't really believe in the memory effect. I have never really seen it occur but I have not studied it greatly. In reality it is a good idea to fully discharge any type of battery (NICD, NIMH, Li-Ion, Li-Pol) before recharging it (SLA is the exception).

lion is the best, with nimh in second. i wouldn't buy nicd if you can help it. everybody else is spot on with what they have said.

I disagree with that statement. It is not as cut and dry as you make it seem. In many respects NICD are superior to NIMH. NICD batteries weigh less, are less affected by self discharge, last more cycles, and charge quicker than NIMH. The only advantages of NIMH are they have a *slightly* higher capacity, and supposedly don't suffer from the memory effect. I put slightly in stars because the capacity difference is nowhere near what the battery companies want you to think. In my tests almost all the NIMH AA's (ranging from ratings of 1200 to 1600mAH) tested at only 1000mAH + or - 100mAH. The only exceptions were the GP 1800's which came in at 1450mAH. My 700mAH NICD's came in at 685mAH.

I think NICD's still have a lot of uses. I use them in a lot of handheld devices because they weigh so much less. IMO NIMH are the heaviest while NICD are the lightest, second only to Lithium.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: BOBBY RIBS
nicd memory effect is not really true, just a misnomer.
Text

well i believe you in that technically, it is not true... but the basic idea of it - that it's basically a hassle compared to alternatives - is true.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: MWink
I don't really believe in the memory effect. I have never really seen it occur but I have not studied it greatly. In reality it is a good idea to fully discharge any type of battery (NICD, NIMH, Li-Ion, Li-Pol) before recharging it (SLA is the exception).

lion is the best, with nimh in second. i wouldn't buy nicd if you can help it. everybody else is spot on with what they have said.

I disagree with that statement. It is not as cut and dry as you make it seem. In many respects NICD are superior to NIMH. NICD batteries weigh less, are less affected by self discharge, last more cycles, and charge quicker than NIMH. The only advantages of NIMH are they have a *slightly* higher capacity, and supposedly don't suffer from the memory effect. I put slightly in stars because the capacity difference is nowhere near what the battery companies want you to think. In my tests almost all the NIMH AA's (ranging from ratings of 1200 to 1600mAH) tested at only 1000mAH + or - 100mAH. The only exceptions were the GP 1800's which came in at 1450mAH. My 700mAH NICD's came in at 685mAH.

I think NICD's still have a lot of uses. I use them in a lot of handheld devices because they weigh so much less. IMO NIMH are the heaviest while NICD are the lightest, second only to Lithium.

i think those uses are in the minority. of course, i don't believe that there are NO situations where nicd is better... i just speak for the majority of a common person's uses. nicd retains charger longer also, iirc. can't beat alkaline on that one though

 

[SHoddyCOmp]

BOBBY RIBS - Do you believe everything you read? I didnt even bother reading that but I know for a fact that my NiCD batteries infact do NOT have the same performance as they did if I do not completely discharge them before I recharge them agian or leave them with a charge for an extended period of time. Performance not battery life exactly. I really am talking about REAL NiCD batteries. 2000mAh to be exact. They power my one of my radio control cars. There is a race this weekend too and I dont know if I will be able to race with my TC3 due to the fact that I had forgotten to discharge one of my packs completely from the last time I used it and it will not take a complete charge as a result. I would actually have to take the pack apart and zap the batteries with a special battery zapper but I dont have that sort of money to fix them. This puts me down to 2 batteries which is not enough for the day. Leaving a battery charged, aspecially atleast a high performance NiCD one is not a smart idea. I dont know if its really memory or what as memory is usually refered to as the battery will no longer discharge any further than a certain point, but leaving the batteries with a charge and not conditioning them correctly does take toll on their life.

 

[PliotronX]

BOBBY RIBS - Do you believe everything you read? I didnt even bother reading that but I know for a fact that my NiCD batteries infact do NOT have the same performance as they did if I do not completely discharge them before I recharge them agian or leave them with a charge for an extended period of time.

You really ought to read the link Bobby ribs posted because it explains that this "memory" effect comes about from overcharging. It's an interesting read IMO.