Addressing the issue of handling each cell individually. There are
chargers out there for individual cells (AAA, AA,C,etc.) that connect
all the cells in parallel, and those that connect individually.
Definitely want the one that handles each cell by itself. I have a
MH-C401FS charger that is the individual type. I can put AAA and AA in
at any time, where the cells can be NICD or NMH , different states of
charges, and different brand cells, and when done the green LED comes on
for that cell. But it costs around $50. An issue I'm having is it
detects a bad cell and blinks a red LED, but can't tell the problem with
the cell, still shows 1.3 volts, have tried slow discharge with 100 ohm
resister across terminals for a couple of days, and then trying to
charge, but same blinking LED.
I would think the same technology could be applied to a battery pack,
but numerous contact connectors would be required, costing $$, taking
space, and durability for a piece of construction equipment getting
banged around in dirt and rain likely would be an issue. :)
Cedric Chang wrote:
{Quote hidden}>> On Jul 3, 2008, at 1:51 PM, Cedric Chang wrote:
>>
>> For those of you who have restored dead NiCads or Lead Acid
>> batteries, was it worth it ?
>>
>> For myself, it was not worth it other than to say I could do it. The
>> restored batteries never lasted long enough to be worth the trouble.
>> cc
>>
>
> Thanks to everyone for their previous comments. Are long life
> battery packs feasible technically and not supplied because there is
> not a perceived demand for them because they would cost more initially ?
>
> I am wondering if one could build a battery pack ( and associated
> charger ) that makes sure each cell is working correctly and is
> supplied with the correct charge and discharge history and that each
> cell is automatically massaged to correct failures ? Do such things
> already exist ? Is the cost too high ? And perhaps each battery
> pack would allow you to swap out "bad" cells.
> Based on battery theory ( without regard to cost ) , what is the most
> reliable and idiot-proof battery technology ? Is it Lion ?
> ( When I say idiot-proof , I mean that the user does not have to be
> careful about when and how they recharge the batteries. )
>
> If a vendor built a NiCad battery pack and made each cell
> individually available to the charger , could the charger keep the
> batteries going a lot longer ? Would the battery pack have to do
> things to protect the individual cells during use ? Would the use of
> supercaps in some way benefit battery life ?
>
> I have the same questions about Lead Acid batteries, NiMH, Lion, etc.
>
> Are fuel cells theoretically a way around battery problems ? Will
> they provide long life ? ( assuming the vendor builds them correctly ).
>
> If a hydrogen fuel distribution magically appeared, would hydrogen
> fuel cells ( theoretically ) be long lasting and environmentally
> benign method of supplying portable power. ( Assuming there was a
> magical way of producing the hydrogen , the method of which is left
> to the reader )
>
> cc
>
> cc
>
>