| Rechargeable
batteries are good for the environment and for your wallet.
Here's a guide to purchasing the right rechargeables for your
devices and appliances. Don't forget the charger: You can
buy units that fit alkaline, NiMH and NiCd batteries for approximately
$30. And when your rechargeables finally fall victim to the
"memory effect"--crystals that form on interior
plates and shorten the life of the battery--go to RBRC.org.
Alkaline
Devices that require a low amount of energy over a long time:
remote controls, pagers, AM/FM radios, flashlights, CD and
tape players.
Have a long shelf life, longer than equivalent nickel cadmium
(NiCd) and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) cells.
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Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)
Energy-intense products: digital cameras,
music players and remotecontrol toys.
Energy drastically decreases after the first
recharge (last 20 to 25 fewer cycles than NiCd and NiMH batteries).
Life depends on the depth of discharge: the deeper the discharge,
the fewer cycles the battery can endure. Reduced service life
may offset any cost advantage over standard alkaline batteries
when used in items that drain quickly. Pack a lot of power
with each charge. Last longer between charges than NiCd batteries
and are less toxic to the environment. Handle the memory effect
much better than NiCd batteries. Lose charge quickly, in use
or not. Lifetime only reaches up to 500 charge-discharge cycles.
Nickel Cadmium (NiCd)
Power tools and emergency lighting
Most common rechargeable batteries. Easy to use, cheap and
last for 500 to 1,000 cycles.
Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)
Ideal for devices requiring a reliable, high-energy
power source: cellular phones, PDAs, laptops, and MP3 players.
Prone to the memory effect; requires monthly
prevention. Most problems due to overcharging or improper
storage. Contain cadmium, a highly toxic heavy metal, that
can damage the environment if not disposed of properly. (Batteries
should be recycled, not discarded.) Rechargeable, powerful
and light. Do not exhibit a memory problem, so can be recharged
anytime without first having to be completely discharged).
Li-Ion batteries produce the same energy
as NiMH but weigh approximately 20 to 35 percent less. They
are also environmentally friendly because they don't contain
toxins such as cadmium or mercury.
The energy capacity of the battery is measured
in milliampere hours (mAh). The higher the mAh number, the
longer the battery will hold and provide its rated charge.
Digital cameras need AA batteries with 1,800 to 1,900 mAh.
The shelf life of a battery varies depending on how you use
it. An alkaline battery with 2,500 mAh might die in an hour
or less if you use it in a digital camera. In a remote control
it could last for several months.
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Chargers And Related Terms
Battery
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| Cell
Phone Battery Chargers |
How
to Buy Rechargeable Batteries
| How
to Recycle Nickel-Cadmium Rechargeable Batteries
|
How
to Troubleshoot a Battery Charger |
