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---------------------------------------------------------------No other topic seems to inspire more opinion and comment than
the proper care and handling of rechargeable laptop and notebook
computer batteries. Should you slow or fast charge them? What is
the true life of a rechargeable battery after which it must be
disposed? Do rechargeable batteries have a "memory" effect? Can
nickel-cadmium batteries explode when charging or discharging?
Although this tutorial may seem technical in places, try to read
ALL of it since battery power may be your only source of laptop
power on many occasions.
For many portable computers a variety of rechargeable battery
options exist today. But frequently it comes down to the old
standby: nickel-cadmium batteries. Ubiquitous in consumer
electronic items such as shavers, flashlights, toothbrushes and
radios, nickel-cadmiums or "nicads" are a reasonable balance of
power, cost and weight and are used by many computer
manufacturers as the portable power source of choice. Let's
scratch the surface on the topic since there is QUITE A BIT the
manufacturer doesn't tell you about nicads....
Glance at the following chemical equation which is at the heart
of the nickel-cadmium cell reaction. Don't get overly anxious
because high school chemistry was not your favorite subject.
We'll take things slowly....
<----Cd + 2 NiOOH + 2 KOH -----> Cd(OH) + 2NiO + 2 KOH
2
In this highly simplified reaction sequence, electricity is
generated when the reaction proceeds in the direction of the
right pointing arrow, the discharge cycle. If the reaction
proceeds in the left direction the cell is charging.
In simplest terms, a nicad cell (a battery is constructed of
several cells hooked together) has a positively charged plate of
nickelic hydroxide and a negative plate of metallic cadmium. The
liquid between the positive and negatives plates which
facilitates this chemical reaction is usually a dilute solution
of potassium hydroxide - similar to lye or the Draino (tm)
solution your pour down the sink to clean your plumbing. When
discharging and thus producing electricity, the nickelic
hydroxide is reduced to nickelous hydroxide as hydroxyl ions
from the potassium hydroxide electrolyte combine with the
cadmium metal of the negative plate of the cell to form cadmium
hydroxide. Cadmium is oxidized when this happens and electrons
are provided into the external circuit, such as your laptop
computer.
When charging, the process reverses and hydroxyl ions combine
with the nickel which accepts electrons from the external
charging circuit. Notice that the electrolyte, potassium
since you will minimize heat and gas buildup within the cell.
Just because they can be quick charged does not mean they MUST
be quick charged. Nicads last longer and deliver more power when
not driven to extremes of temperature or overcharging.
Tutorial finished. Be sure to order your FOUR BONUS DISKS which
expand this software package with vital tools, updates and
additional tutorial material for laptop users! Send $20.00 to
Seattle Scientific Photography, Department LAP, PO Box 1506,
Mercer Island, WA 98040. Bonus disks shipped promptly! Some
portions of this software package use sections from the larger
PC-Learn tutorial system which you will also receive with your
order. Modifications, custom program versions, site and LAN
licenses of this package for business or corporate use are
possible, contact the author. This software is shareware - an
honor system which means TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. Press escape key to
return to menu.