On Thu, 21 Jul 2022 19:24:31 -0700 (PDT), Charles Lucas
<
charles...@gmail.com> wrote:
>What I gleaned from reading the content on these links is that even with the best conditions, you will have
>a dead battery in 3-4 years.
I think you're confusing different battery chemistries. Shelf life on
alkaline batteries is guaranteed by the manufactory to be 5, 7, or 10
years from date of manufacture depending on vendor.
For NiMH cells, I use Eneloop LSD (low self discharge cells). I've
tested their ability to hold a charge and found them to 80% charged at
1 years.
>They recommend rechargeable batteries best.
Agreed, especially LiIon or battery yet, LiFePO4.
>The "Rayovac" brand primarily is
>the worst and leaks the most (in most cases- except for one). The dollar store batteries are made with zinc
>and another chemical are not recommended and do not last as long.
Most alkaline batteries are made with zinc. Notice how often zinc is
mentioned in the Wikipedia article:
<
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaline_battery>
>The key is alkaline batteries are good, but they have gone up in price. For the costs involved, you
>can get a rechargeable battery and have it be more serviceable in the long run.
Rechargeable batteries have also increased in cost.
>If you are dead set
>on getting or using alkaline batteries as many devices say you can use, you may consider getting
>an alkaline battery charger, so you can pull the batteries out of the device and utilize the charger
>to charge them. The chargers will even do 9-volt alkaline batteries as well. With batteries running
>up in cost to $5.00 each for alkaline, it is not a bad idea to get an alkaline recharger device, if you
>use alkaline batteries.
WRONG! Conventional alkaline cells are not rechargeable. If you
look, I think it even says so on the package. However, there are
rechargeable alkaline cells that can be PARTIALLY recharged. Unlike
other rechargeable chemistries, rechargeable alkaline cells recover an
ever decreasing percentage of full charge until they are useless.
<
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rechargeable_alkaline_battery>
The also have a miserable self discharge time, where they are dead if
not used within 6 months. The combination of these "features" make
rechargeable alkaline cells somewhat useless.
>For long term storage, the recommendations for batteries are drain the power down 50% of duty
>cycle (power capacity).
That's the common recommendation for rechargeable cells. It's
generally true for LiIon. It's not true for NiMH. In reality, the
50% charge storage recommendation is to make the batteries safe for
shipping:
<
https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52apxc_032.htm>
<
https://www.ups.com/assets/resources/media/en_US/pack_ship_batteries.pdf>
"In accordance with IATA, all lithium ion batteries (without
equipment) shipped by air must not exceed 30% SoC."
>Store in a cool place (refrigeration). When you go to use them, you need
>to charge them up full on a trickle charge or use the recharger.
Not exactly. Each chemistry has its own charge profile. For example,
the best way to kill a random battery is to "fast charge" it. Also,
trickle chargers don't work well with some chemistries. Use a charger
that matches the manufacturers recommendations for the battery
chemistry.
>Make sure they are at 100% before
>you use them and then run the down fully. Use the recharger and you are back to normal usage.
Running LiIon, NiCd, NiMH, and lead-acid batteries to zero are a great
way to kill them. That why LiIon battery packs come with a BMS
(battery management system) PC board to prevent you from completely
discharging the battery. For a time, NiCd cells did have a "memory
effect" problem which could be reversed by discharging to zero, but
that's no longer the case with modern battery chemistries.
>Consider other variables, excessive heat, humidity, moisture, the deep freeze, and other conditions.
>All batteries in some way are a chemistry problem. The chemical composition each is made of has
>to factor in the appropriate application you intend to use the battery for and how often you use the
>device (especially timers and other appliances that have intermittent or from time to time use).
>
>Just thought I would impart this advice and encourage you to read several links from the google
>search quoted. God Bless you and have a great day.
Well, you're off to a bad start in the information business. However,
don't take it personally. Understanding the characteristics of
various battery chemistries is tricky and often confusing. There's
also quite a bit of bad advice on the internet. I suggest skimming
this site for better information. There are things I disagree with on
the site, but it's better than most:
<
https://batteryuniversity.com>
>Sincerely,
>
>
>Charles Lucas
>
>
>>
>> I usually take batteries out of stuff I won't need right away but they've been leaking in a plastic bag anyway.
>
>P.S. It depends on the what materials the cases are composed of that holds the chemistry inside of the casing.
>Quality can vary. Buyer Beware and avoid sticker shock on the high prices of batteries. They have really gone up.