Recharge Time

The heart of your laptop, mobile phone, digital camera, or MP3 player isn’t the processor or software; it’s the battery. Without that source of always-available energy, portable electronic devices would be little more than expensive paperweights.

Replace Your Batteries For Less! For Laptops, PDA's, Cameras, Universal, DVD and MP3 Players.

The most common type of battery found in mobile devices is a standard, non-rechargeable battery. These batteries use one of two common chemistries: alkaline or lithium. Devices subject to frequent use, such as laptops, mobile phones, and PDAs, generally rely on rechargeable batteries. There are two distinct types of rechargeable batteries: nickel-based, including nickel-cadmium and nickel-metalhydride, and lithium-ion-based, including lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer.

Standard Non-rechargeable Batteries

Alkaline.

Alkaline batteries provide up to 10 times more performance than the older zinc-carbon cells. They have a longer shelf life and can retain up to 85% of their original capacity after five years of storage. Alkalines are also less prone to leakage and have a wide range of operating temperatures.

Lithium.

Lithium batteries use lithium in its metal state to achieve a very high energy density, resulting in long operating times and a long shelf life. Lithium batteries can retain 97% of their rated capacity after five years of storage. Lithium batteries are ideal replacements for standard alkaline batteries in cameras, MP3 players, and other electronic devices.



Rechargeable Batteries

Ni-Cd (nickel-cadmium).

Ni-Cds offer a fast charging rate and can achieve good longevity, with more than 1,000
charge/discharge cycles. Ni-Cds can suffer from reduced performance if you recharge them before they have been completely discharged. Some Ni-Cd battery chargers include circuitry to discharge Ni-Cds before charging. Ni-Cds require a break-in period.

Many manufacturers recommend up to three charge/discharge cycles before the battery will reach optimum performance.

NiMH (nickel-metal hydride).

NiMHs are capable of 30 to 40% higher storage capacity than equivalent Ni-Cds, but they support fewer charge/recharge cycles; 300 to 500 charging cycles is the norm. NiMHs do not require a deep discharge before charging, so you can top off a battery before a planned prolonged
use. Continually deep discharging a NiMH can shorten its life, although an occasional full discharge will ensure optimal energy storage.

NiMHs take longer to charge than equivalent Ni-Cds and can be damaged by overcharging or by charging when the battery is hot. Smart NiMH battery chargers can prevent overcharging and/or charging when a battery’s internal temperature is high.

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Li-Ion (Lithium-Ion).

Li-Ion batteries provide the highest energy density available, nearly double the energy
available from Ni-Cds. They are also low maintenance. They don’t require a deep discharge, they don’t require a break-in period, and they don’t suffer from battery
memory. You can charge a Li-Ion at any time without affecting battery performance,
but because Li-Ions generally have a charge/discharge life of 300 to 500 cycles, you can shorten a battery’s life by topping it off too often.

Most Li-Ion manufacturers expect battery lifetimes of up to three years, however, some consumers report failures in as few as 18 months.

Li-Ion Polymer.

Li-Ion Polymer batteries, sometimes referred to as Li-Polys or LiPos, are essentially the same as Li-Ions. The main difference is that Li-Ion Polymers are much thinner, with cell heights as small as 1mm. Li-Ion Polymers are also very lightweight, and more resistant to overcharging and leaking. They are more expensive to produce than Li-Ions, however, and have a lower energy density. Li-Ion Polymers are most often used in lightweight, high-value electronics, such as cell phones.

Swap Carefully

Not all battery types are interchangeable. Never use a Li-ion battery in a device that didn’t originally use one. You can usually swap rechargeable nickel-based batteries with same-size alkaline cells without any problems. If you are replacing standard, nonrechargeable batteries with nickel-based rechargeables, invest in a good quality charger. Smart battery chargers can help extend your battery’s lifetime.

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by Tom Nelson and Mary O’Connor