supposed to work on any type of battery...like 10 years ago
small charges to reinvigorate the battery
Posted on 08/21/2012 8:52:53 AM PDT by djf
I have a flashlight that takes the tallish 6V alkaline batteries, the ones that are 3inX3inX6in or so.
The light started getting dimmer, so I got curiour - always a bad move!
I have 2 spare batteries, but they are totally fresh and I prefer to keep them that way so that if I need them during winter storms or whatever they are there.
So! I did some Googling and came up with basically tons of conflicting info about whether or not they can be re-charge, it amounted to about zero help.
I took my auto battery charger. This can operate at either 12V or 6V, set up the whole mess outside, and hooked it up. I NEVER left it hooked up for more than ten minutes at a time.
Put the battery in the flashlight and VOILA!! it was full brightness as if the battery was new. Now I left the light on and after a while, (1/2 hour or so), it pretty much started to dim.
I tried it again, but for a shorter period, and instead of leaving it on longer, I figured repeated cycles of charge would bring it back at least as much as the first time.
The battery so far has not leaked or exploded or ever gotten hot to the touch, an I'm curious if any other FReepers have had experience with recharging alkaline cells and have any hints or tips.
One thing I know is to NEVER try to recharge a completely dead croaked battery.
TIA!
if i recall there was a battery charger on the market that was supposed to work on any type of battery
like 10 years ago
I dont recall any explosions
I think there was just not a big market for it (expensive)
oh- and there is a you tube video online about what is inside once of these
it is a bunch of AA batteries (like 18 of them, I think)
they cut one open and show it
Generally, it is not advisable because the chemical reaction for an alkaline battery is vastly different than that of a NiMH or other type of rechargeable battery. An alkaline can be recharged, but you won’t get the same charge/recharge cycle as you would a true re-chargeable battery.
I’m familiar with those large block sized batteries you are describing. I’m not sure about charging specifically those, but I know as a kid in the 70s, we recharged in a regular battery charger all kinds of batteries including alkalyne that were technically not suppose to be recharged. We had a charger for D, C, AA, AAA, and 9 volt batteries. We recharged many a battery numerous times over. I only remember one or two times when a battery buldged out and none of them ever leaked or exploded, but I suppose it could happen at any time.
When I was a kid I recharged them all the time. Not just alkaline batteries but also regular non-alkaline non-rechargeable batteries. I’m talking hundreds of batteries each recharged tens of times. Eventually they stop taking a charge and you throw them away. Seems like if you let them get too hot, they are ruined and will not take a charge anymore.
Here’s a little secret for ya...
They were selling battery chargers for D cell through AA cell batteries WAY WAY BEFORE THEY INVENTED RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES.
Think about that.
I had one from radio shack. It had a slot for the little 9 volt batteries too. When have you ever heard of a rechargeable 9volt battery?
Neither do I know exactly what would happen if I lit a cigarette while filling my gas tank. And I don't intend to find out.
I have a small plug-in-the-wall unit that can do AA or AAA batteries. When I say “can do”, the results varied tremendously. Certain battery brands seemed to recharge well (Ray-O-Vac, IIRC), while others didn’t do squat. And you have the problem of the charger indicating that charging is complete, only to put the battery is whatever device, have it start strong and then die almost immediately.
Right now I’m more in the “find out” phase, and not in the “depend on it” phase.
I use Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable batteries. They are your best bet.
I put a couple of AAs in a charger by accident. They leaked all over the charger and made quite a mess. I do not recommend it unless you watch it the entire time.
“I don’t know the reason for sure.”
Ummm... maybe to sell more batteries?
Just ribbin ya!
Anyways, no matter what, one thing I should emphasize I DO NOT recommend that anyone use an auto-type charger for this types of operation. The reason being that an auto charge has a much higher amperage output than any type of trickle charger.
REPEAT: DO NOT USE AN AUTO BATTERY CHARGER!
Ray-o-Vac tried to market rechargable alkaline batteries a few years back. They were not very reliable. It would have been a good product, if it had worked. You needed a special (expensive) charger which had a negative return on investment. I tried to make it work, but most of the batteries failed after fewer than ten charge cycles.
The 9 volt batteries are common today, both regular NIMH, and LSD.
You can do it but it’s not the best plan in the world. They like to make gases when being charged, gases which be very much not your friend if produced too fast.
I’m no chemist but I’d never try to recharge any battery that’s not specifically designed to be recharged.
This LED drop in will extend your battery life.
http://www.amazon.com/Dorcy-41-1644-Lumen-Volt-Replacement/dp/B003MP8MGO
I have two 9 volt alkaline rechargeable batteries. The actual voltage is something less than 9 volts. Alkaline batteries are approximately 1.25 volts per cell and alkaline batteries are approximately 1.5 volts per cell. Most chargers for rechargeable batteries are constant current chargers. Properly designed they will charge a variety of cell voltages.
Ok, so I have the auto-battery charger hooked up and charging. Now what?
Answer the phone, then take a nap...
After your nap you will be fresh and awake and should be able to locate your fire extinguisher quickly..
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