Mike Lazzari wrote:
>
> > ....However you charge your cells, charge just before use, not after use
> > (i.e.
> > store cells in an energy-depleted state)...
> >
> Eric, I have to respectfully disagree with the last part of this
> statement. Since NiCads lose charge over time I agree that they should
> be charged before use. However you may damage the cells if they are
> stored in a depleted state. Remember that for most practical purposes we
> are not talking about individual cells but an array of cells in series.
> In an ideal world these cells would discharge at the same rate and reach
> zero potential at the same time but in reality this doesn't happen. So
> if one cell reaches zero potential before the others in the series it
> will be subjected to reverse "charge" with bad result. You end up with
> one dead cell and a worthless battery pack.
>
> mike
If you're dealing with AAs, they ARE single cells and you don't
have to worry about cell reversal ... so discharging them to about
0.8V before storage (or recharge) is a good idea. But, multi-cell
batteries should NOT be fully discharged nor stored in a discharged
state for the reasons given by Mike.
-Nick T.
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