NiCd???

[Cheech]

Just wondering if there is any reason lots of companys put NiCd batteries in their walkie talkies. Just dont make any sense to me! I thought theese thing got a memory if you did not discharge them all the way before recharging. Cordless phones seem to be the same way. Im lost!

 

[Moleculo]

Simple: Cost....they're cheaper than better batteries!

 

[DXman]

Well the technolgy has gotten better for the NiCd's, there are new ones now that do not build up a memory.

I do have one here that states: "no need to completely discharge battery to remove memory".

 

[Cheech]

I was thinking cost was the deal. Also noticed that NiMh have better capacitys compared to NiCd. Not to mention that they dont build a memory.

 

[Moleculo]

Lithium Ion is what they should use...but that's too expensive also. Oh well...

 

[Cheech]

Yeah you would think they would put good batteries in some of theese things. I did notice that a pair of uniden HTs my friend owns has NiMh batteries.

 

[Master Chief]

The memory affect is actually a myth. NASA did tests on batteries years ago with specific parameters to test for memory affect.

What was concluded is the problem was caused by overcharging. A battery with half a charge was overcharged to the point that you actually had CELL REVERSAL inside the battery, killing that part of the cell. Since this part was dead, it could no longer store, charge, or provide energy to the rest of the battery.

So what apperead to be a "memory" problem was actually an over charging problem, which destroyed the battery. Today we have better chargers. Not all companies use better charges (cordless phones), but they are available.

http://www.verinet.com/~dlc/battery.htm
http://www.millennium-batteries.co.nz/page20.html
http://www.rahq.com/chrginfo.htm

 

[Cheech]

Thats interesting! I use a NiCd battery to start my nitro rc car. The battery has only been rechargedaround 5 times or so. Every time I recharge it I have drained it all the way acording to an ameter on the battery charger which also disharges batteries. The charger is not automatic so I just charge the battery on trickle charge and it seems I am ruining it acording to those links. :? Not so good! May have to change some things!