Re: NiMH battery compatibility with NiCd chargers

From: H. Dziardziel (hdzi_at_zworg.nospamcom)
Date: 06/29/04 

Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2004 20:26:52 +0900

On Mon, 28 Jun 2004 19:45:00 -0400, "Wild Bill"
<kwag98@usachoice.net> wrote:

>Hi.. I don't have any experience with NiMH batteries, and I never much cared
>for the problems associated with NiCd cells, so I'd like to know if using
>NiMH will be less problematic than NiCd.
>
>Will NiMH cells charge and last perfectly well in NiCd chargers, or will
>NiMH chargers be required for best results?
>When I use the term NiCd charger, I mean the more sophisticated commercial
>chargers, not just the transformer & diode types.
>
>Ideally, I'd like to find a trouble-free, rechargeable battery (if possible)
>for a few applications.
>I'd like to avoid any type of battery that will short if it's not being
>charged or used.. which always seems to happen with any of the NiCd types
>I've had.
>
>Thanks
>Cheers
>WB
>
Trickle charging NiCads and not using them after is what causes
them to short out. Continous charging at too high a rate (>C/10
as in many phones etc) ) also causes them to deterioate quickly.
But they do handle sloppy recharging well -- if used soon
after.. They are rugged.
 
NiCads thrive on regular use and thus can't be beat for high
charge-discharge current applications like power tools.

NiMh should not be trickle charged -- they deterioate. New
quality maker NiMhs only weakness is the somewhat higher self
discharge rate and need for careful charging because they are
exothermic and,perversely, their life, very heat sensitive...
They very rarely short out.

Qualty cells and made for NIMh quality chargers will give
excellent results The key points are keeping them cool during
charge and no overcharging (which heats them up more)..

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