Rejuvenating Ni-Cd Batteries:

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rattus

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Does anyone know how to safely rejuvenate Ni-Cd batteries? I have done it, but not sure I did it the best way.
 
The best thing you can do with NiCad batteries is to replace them with NiMH batteries.

There are some chargers sold that supposedly condition batteries. Whether they really work or not is iffy IMO.

Some people advise deliberately discharging a NiCad battery now and then. I think that is a misunderstanding of the so called memory effect that mostly is not, nor ever was an issue with most NiCad batteries. The memory problem was more of an issue with how the batteries were used.

NiCads are an obsolete technology. best to just get rid of them and move on IMO.
 
petersonra said:
NiCads are an obsolete technology. best to just get rid of them and move on IMO.
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Although I would not necessarily design new equipment using NiCads, I think that they still have a place, among other things their ability to tolerate an indefinite duration controlled current overcharge. NiMH gives a higher power density, but requires a more sophisticated charger. Lithium has a very high power density, but as a result has more as well as more violent failure modes and need careful handling during charging and when used in series strings.

That said, I would just let a dysfunctional NiCad go, unless it is a large cell or battery for specific equipment.
 
GoldDigger said:
Although I would not necessarily design new equipment using NiCads, I think that they still have a place, among other things their ability to tolerate an indefinite duration controlled current overcharge. NiMH gives a higher power density, but requires a more sophisticated charger. Lithium has a very high power density, but as a result has more as well as more violent failure modes and need careful handling during charging and when used in series strings.

That said, I would just let a dysfunctional NiCad go, unless it is a large cell or battery for specific equipment.
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If the batteries were making money for me, I would do just that, but I am a tinkerer and frugal at that. It is a bit of a challenge to make something work again.
 
GoldDigger said:
Although I would not necessarily design new equipment using NiCads, I think that they still have a place, among other things their ability to tolerate an indefinite duration controlled current overcharge. NiMH gives a higher power density, but requires a more sophisticated charger. Lithium has a very high power density, but as a result has more as well as more violent failure modes and need careful handling during charging and when used in series strings.

That said, I would just let a dysfunctional NiCad go, unless it is a large cell or battery for specific equipment.
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Yeah, just ask Boeing!! :lol:
 
rattus said:
If the batteries were making money for me, I would do just that, but I am a tinkerer and frugal at that. It is a bit of a challenge to make something work again.
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Well, the first part of your challenge is to determine why or in what way the cell is not performing.
If it is just memory effect, some controlled slow discharge and recharge cycles will get it back in shape. But you need to work with individual cells rather than a series string or battery.If it has leaked or vented electrolyte, forget it.
If it seems to be shorted internally, I would forget it although some may try to burn out the short.
If it has high resistance and will not accept a charge, either leave it on charge for a long time or try a pulse charger that will use higher voltage pulses to try to overcome whatever chemical oddity is causing the high resistance.
 
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