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It is a step by step guide on how to recondition nimh batteries. Where NiMH or Nickel Metal Hydride is a type of rechargeable battery capable of withstanding repeated recharging and discharging inside a wide range of temperatures. And unlike an alkaline battery, in which a reaction between zinc and manganese dioxide takes place.
In the NiMH battery, the reaction of alkali metal and hydrocarbon takes place in the presence of a platinum dioxide catalyst. The hexavalent nickel material is formed during the reaction. Nickel-metal Hydride can be produced using nickel hydroxide, nickel dichromate, and hydrocarbon in the electrolyzing process.
The heat of the reaction in the battery runs to produce the vaporizing, which is known as the cell heat. The electrical power is produced when the terminal voltage or terminal potentials are made equal to the normal cell potential.
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Because NiMH batteries are shelf-stable and can support repeated recharging, they are widely used in many electronic devices like digital cameras, power tools, and video game consoles. Two other important advantages of NiMH batteries are, unlike the alkaline batteries, they boast higher charge capacities, and they don’t suffer from the memory effect, something that’s quite common with NiCad batteries. Yes, NiMH batteries do run into voltage depressions, but the consequences aren’t as severe as the memory effect.
The primary difference between NiCad and NiMH battery is the chemical composition. NiMH uses hydrogen, while in NiCad, Hydrogen gas is replaced by cadmium. As a result, NiMH batteries are lighter. The main drawback of NiMH batteries is that they have a lesser capacity than NiCad batteries.
They are also known to lose their charge capacity over time. Therefore, they are not suitable for devices that require high energy back up. These batteries are best suited for devices that run on low power output. However, you can extend their shelf life by following the given NiMH battery reconditioning tips.
Reconditioning NiMH Batteries
Now that you know what NiMH batteries are, let’s take a closer look at how to recondition them. Well, like most other rechargeable batteries, you don’t need to take apart a NiMH battery to recondition it. All you need to do is run a few deep charge cycles to improve the battery’s performance and bring it back to speed. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1 – Charge the NiMH batteries fully.
Remove the batteries from the device and put them in a charger. Make sure they show 100% charge when you take them out of the charger.
Step 2 – Discharge the NiMH batteries fully.
After the battery gets completely charged, it’s time to completely discharge the battery. To make this happen, take them out from the charger and put them back in the device. You will need to put the batteries under heavy load to get them discharged.
Switch on the device and put it on its highest power usage settings or performance settings. For example, if you are using the device in a torch, switch the torch to its brightest setting so that it will discharge the batteries rapidly. Keep the device running until the batteries are fully drained.
Step 3 – Repeat the two steps again.
You just performed a charge cycle in steps 1 and 2. For step 3, you need to repeat that cycle. This is like an exercise for the batteries. It helps them regain their charge so that they can last longer than before. The best thing about reconditioning NiMH batteries is it doesn’t involve any complicated procedures.
You won’t require any high-end tools or machines to recondition the batteries. Anyone without any technical knowledge can perform these steps to improve the battery’s performance.
You may need to repeat this cycle 3 to 5 times to increase the life of the NiMH batteries. Try checking the performance of the batteries after the second cycle. You should notice a considerable difference in the battery’s uptime.
If you don’t see any change, keep repeating the cycle up to five times. That should force the batteries to hold a charge. But if you don’t see any difference, then you should replace the batteries.
Another procedure to recondition NiMH batteries
Here are some of the things you will need:
- Digital multimeter
- Battery charger reconditioning
- AC adaptor
- Electrical outlet
These items are readily available at electronics and hardware stores. If you see that the batteries have damaged casings, then you shouldn’t attempt to recondition them. Throw the batteries away and replace them with new ones.
- Start by testing the voltage of the batteries using the digital multimeter. If you notice a reading of 1.0 V or lower, then it’s time to recondition the batteries. On the other hand, if the digital multimeter reads 1.2 V or more, then you just need to charge the batteries instead of reconditioning them.
- Connect the AC adaptor to the battery properly. The black cable alligator clip goes to the negative end, and the red cable alligator clip goes to the positive end of the battery. Hold the adaptor for at least three seconds. Then take off the clips from the batteries.
- Test the voltage of the batteries again with the digital multimeter. If you notice the same voltage, repeat the process again. It usually takes three or four rounds to revive the batteries. The voltage should reach at least 1.2 V after every round. If it doesn’t, then it’s time to replace the batteries.
- You should allow the batteries to rest for approximately 10 to 15 minutes before using them. If you don’t see any improvement, charge them with their regular charger.
Tips to keep your NiMH batteries charged
NiMH batteries last longer if you maintain them properly. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep NiMH batteries charged:
- Charge cycles are crucial for NiMH batteries. If you are using a device that takes weeks to discharge the batteries completely, make sure you take the batteries out once they run out of charge. Recharge them until they reach 100%. Not completing the charge cycle may hamper the battery’s performance in the long-run.
- If you have a fully-charged NiMH battery but don’t need it immediately, you should pack it in an airtight bag and put the bag in a freezer. Make sure the bag doesn’t have even the smallest of holes as moisture is detrimental for NiMH batteries. NiMH batteries discharge quickly when you keep them at room temperature. In fact, they lose nearly 30 to 50% of their charge if you don’t use them for a few weeks. That won’t happen if you keep the battery in an airtight bag in a freezer.
Why you should recondition NiMH batteries
Many people don’t have the patience to recondition NiMH batteries. They take the easier path of replacing the batteries once they start discharging quickly. But you should at least try to recondition them to make sure they last for a few more charge cycles.
Most importantly, reconditioning NiMH batteries helps to save a lot of money. Moreover, you don’t need to spend on any machine to recondition these batteries. Just use a regular charger to bring the battery’s life back.
It’s easy to recondition NiMH batteries. You don’t need to be an expert at batteries to perform the steps mentioned above. Just make sure you repeat the charge cycle to improve the battery’s performance. If everything fails, you always have the option to replace the batteries.
Conclusion:
NiMH batteries known for their high charge retention capacity are really useful for many applications. However, they suffer from voltage depressions, which diminish their charge retention capacity. If you don’t want them to lose their charge quickly, you can take the necessary steps discussed above to revive them.
Thanks for reading through the whole area of my write-up. I hope I had the ability to share good concepts concerning the topic. There are many points to obtain from replacing batteries.
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FAQs:
1. Can you revive NiMH batteries?
NiMH batteries can be revived if you use the right procedure. It’s easy to recharge a NiMH battery and test its performance. Often all it takes is 2-3 shocks with a fully charged battery to revive dead NiMH batteries.
2. How many times can NiMH batteries be recharged?
It depends on the capacity and many other factors like temperature, cycle depth, storage conditions, etc. However, NiMH batteries can be recharged roughly 500 to 1000 times before they can no longer be used for electronic devices.
