Rechargeable nickel-based batteries lose some of the capacity when in a warehouse, or a battery store for months. This is a byproduct of their chemistry, and sufficient reason to check their sell-by-date before purchasing them. However, trickle charging new nickel-based batteries could restore them to close ex-factory state.
Three Reasons for Charging New Nickel-Based Batteries
- Battery manufacturers are aware of the limitations of rechargeable batteries. One of these defects is their recharging chemistry also opens the door to self-discharging. For this reason, they recommend trickle-charging nickel batteries when new, to set their upper limits before regular use.
- Another good reason is we may have devices that use several nickel batteries simultaneously. Their rate of discharge will not have been consistent, meaning we end up with packs of unequally-charged ones. Trickle charging new nickel-based batteries should restore them to approximately the same level.
- Some nickel batteries leave the factory semi-formatted. They therefore need priming with several regular cycles to complete their formatting. However the efficiency of this process depends of their specification. And some cheap ones may need more than 40 complete cycles to reach their stated capacity.
More to Remember When Purchasing Nickel Batteries
It’s unrealistic to expect a new secondary nickel battery to perform as well as one that reached the prime of their life. It is therefore essential to team batteries that are at the same stage of their lifetime. Never assume batteries are all the same:
- Nickel batteries shed some of their energy when left idle for a time.
- But they also lose some their capacity naturally as they recharge.
- Ambient temperature also affects their charging rate and performance.
We should always check the state of our batteries before we insert them in our devices. Trickle charging new nickel-based batteries may give them a great start, but they need thoughtful care throughout their useful lives.
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