Ni-Cad batteries

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Ressurecting “dead” ni-cads

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

I got one of these solar chargers recently for whenever I'm off grid but found out by accident that it can repolarise, or revitalise ni-cads which my mains charger claims are dead

After 6 to 12 hours in this solar charger the mains charger can work with them again, it takes AA and AAA batteries only

I presume that it's the trickle effect that tickles them back into life

[Danny M2ZParticipant @dannym2z]

Ady1. I have some 600 MAh nicads that have been on continuous charge for the last 15 years (an experiment) using an Ace SUPER Smart Charger. It is a pulse charger.

The main problem with nicads (apart from venting when overcharged) is dendrites, nasty little filaments that grow between the electrodes so an occasional blast with a high current pulse blows them away.

I have some electron microscope photos of dendrites but unfortunately unable to publish them here.

Solar chargers are the way of the future, I use a solar brick to recharge my phone and drone r/c when in the bush.

* Danny M *

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

One of the most annoying things with Ni-Mh etc is the single battery discharge when in use

So out of 3 only one discharges in a small torch for example, two are still at 100% when the torch fails

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I have an Imax B6 charger, I've used it to recover up to 90%+ capacity of old NiCad/NIMH cells (not with success every time, as yo might expect) by cycling them. It will automate up to 5 discharge/recharge cycles but it can take three or four before a cell starts to respond and up to ten before the capacity starts to stabilise.

[JonParticipant @jon]

Ady are these branded batteries from reputable suppliers?
Many fake about and had same with 18650's where one would die whilst the others were still 70% full of charge.

A good link for those that need good batterys outside of AA, AAA etc https://www.ecoluxshopdirect.co.uk/
Use one of their 4 way chargers as well.

Never tried discharging more than once but as a last resort have zapped Dewalt NiCad batterys with a mig to no effect.

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