Types of batteries
Only batteries can be recharged multiple times. It is easy to recognize them from a wide range of stores: the capacity is indicated on them in large four-digit numbers.
Based on their composition and method of discharging an energy charge, batteries are divided into:
- nickel-cadmium;
- nickel metal hydride;
- nickel-zinc;
- lithium-ion;
- lithium polymer.
The first type in the list has a memory effect, which means that during operation they need to be completely discharged and only then plugged into the network via a charger.
The following sizes are available among battery power sources:
- little finger;
- finger;
- keg (D battery);
- crown (corundum);
- ½ AA.
Button-type batteries can only be found in specialized hearing aid stores.
The charge capacity is indicated on the battery in large numbers. This figure ranges from 150 to 6500 mAh.
The larger it is, the longer the battery cell will last. At the same time, the cost of a battery with high performance is an order of magnitude higher.
Selecting a charger
When purchasing AAA batteries, or any other type, you need to think about purchasing a charger at the same time.
After all, expensive batteries themselves without such a device will bring no more benefit than ordinary disposable batteries sold at the checkout of any supermarket.
There are several criteria, knowing which, a potential consumer is able to make the optimal choice.
Charging speed
In this case, the criterion is ambiguous. On the one hand, speed in any aspect has always been a positive characteristic.
On the other hand, in this case, the effect of fast charging is achieved through the use of a higher current value, which, with constant use, can negatively affect the life of the battery.
Therefore, it is recommended to charge unnecessarily at low currents, even if it takes about eight hours.
Examples of charging various batteries using a charger
Availability of several channels and slots
The most universal will be a charger that has slots for all types of batteries, from AAA (popularly called pinky) to large batteries (for example, “crown” with a voltage of 9 V).
Also, several identical channels will allow you to simultaneously charge the nth number of elements of the same type.
Ability to discharge batteries
In the previous paragraph, it was said about the need to completely discharge a nickel-cadmium battery before its subsequent restoration in the charger.
Since Ni-Cd batteries are the most common on the market, the charger must be pre-dischargeable.
Popular: How to charge a maintenance-free car battery
Types of different battery chargers - video.
Charge indicator
A device with a similar property is able to inform the owner with a sound or light signal about the end of the charging time, allowing you to avoid wasting the battery life again.
Determining battery capacity
Some batteries, due to prolonged use, become unable to accept a charge from the device. This function allows you to identify an obsolete element and replace it with a new one.
Irreversibility of chemical reactions
It is the necessary internal processes that distinguish a galvanic cell from a rechargeable battery. And, of course, the price.
In other words, the charge once generated by a conventional battery cannot be restored!
The secret to resuscitating a disposable AA battery is to “revitalize” those resources of the power source that have not yet reacted and given up their electrons.
Statistics claim that due to internal oxidation and deposition of dielectric compounds, even a spent battery can retain from 10 to 70% of its “working” mass, which does not react.
Is it possible to charge an alkaline battery?
An alkaline device loses its charge during long-term storage. About 10% disappears in a year. The question of whether it is possible to charge an alkaline battery loses its urgency.
In addition to alkaline ones, other types of products have appeared that last even longer and more efficiently. Therefore, it is often much more profitable to purchase a new model, which is not that expensive, than to try to charge an old one.
The methods applied to salt batteries to restore charge are not suitable for alkaline ones.
You should find out whether an alkaline battery can be charged. There are ways to update an alkaline device, but the manufacturers themselves warn that this should not be done. No one can predict the outcome of such a procedure.
Manufacturers met consumers and developed models with the ability to recharge.
The process of renewing energy in alkaline batteries can lead to leakage of electrolyte or depressurization of seams
Is it possible to charge alkaline batteries and how safe is it:
- When restoring a simple device, electrolyte leakage or depressurization may occur.
- The more often they try to charge such a model, the higher the risk of problems.
- There is no such threat in rechargeable batteries. Even if the battery has been charged several times.
Battery structure diagram
There is an electrode in the center of the battery. It is a mixture of zinc powder, a composition thickener and an electrolyte. Batteries use only high-purity zinc with the addition of several metals. This scheme excludes mercury from their composition.
A brass rod is placed in the zinc. It plays the role of a current conductor. Thanks to this structure, the contact area between the rod and the powder increases. A large supply of the element that forms a negative charge makes it possible to extend its service life.
Plus and minus are separated by a membrane impregnated with zinc. It does not allow the positive and negative components to mix.
The first electrode is a mixture of manganese oxide and graphite. There is 1.5 times more positive substance in an alkaline battery than in a salt battery.
Since gases are not released during operation of the device, the battery case is sealed. It has a safety valve that prevents it from exploding. Alkaline batteries are available with different voltages - from 1.5 to 12 V.
Why can't you charge regular batteries?
It is not recommended to use the charger to charge tablets or any other batteries. If the case says alkaline (alkaline batteries), then you shouldn’t try.
Disposable cells have a completely different operating principle - ions flow from the electrolyte to the electrodes. Over time, their supply runs out, and then the battery runs out. If you pass current through a conventional model, the recovery process simply will not occur. For example, during operation of zinc-manganese batteries, the zinc electrode will dissolve.
The batteries are designed in such a way that the indicators of electrolytes and electrodes can be returned to the original version. When such a battery is connected to a charger, oxygen and hydrogen ions are converted from the electrolyte. The reduction process begins, where hydrogen acts as a catalyst for converting the cathode into lead, and oxygen – the anode into lead dioxide.
Microprocessor charger: charging with brains
Devices with a microprocessor are more expensive, which is why they are most often used by those who need batteries for their occupation. For example, photographers. But the prices are by no means astronomical, so nothing prevents you from making a choice in favor of a smart charger. How is it usually better?
- Has settings . You can independently set the optimal current for a specific battery.
- Has independent channels . You can charge only one battery, or you can have a battery with a capacity of 1600 mAh in one slot, and a battery with a capacity of 1600 mAh in the other, and both will be charged 100%.
- Has foolproof and overheating protection . They simply won't turn on until you place the batteries in the correct way and will turn off if the battery gets too hot.
- Has special modes . For example, “Training” - successive cycles of charging and discharging the battery in order to restore its capacity.
- Has a display . You see all the information about the accumulated capacity, voltage, current...
Modern batteries are reanimated worse!
The above-described resuscitation actions worked perfectly on Soviet-style batteries, but with current production they have lost their former effectiveness.
This is due to the fact that modern manufacturing companies carefully combat negative chemical deposits, which means that new batteries leave virtually no idle charge, using up 90 percent or more of their resources!
In this case, we get a picture in which a modern branded battery simply does not contain hidden resources even for minor regeneration. Is it possible to charge the battery? No, you can’t, but you can try to revive her.
When a power source is placed in a household charger, a reverse current begins to flow through the volume of chemical elements.
If the used battery has working reserves, they start working, but if not, nothing happens.
In any case, a disposable battery will get quite hot, and it is important not to miss the moment of overheating!
Temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius are considered dangerous.
