Battery: Two or more electrochemical cells electrically interconnected in an appropriate series/parallel arrangement to provide the required operating voltage and current levels. Under common usage, the term "battery" is often also applied to a single cell.
Cell: An electrochemical system that converts chemical energy into electrical energy.
Capacity: This is amount of energy a battery cell or battery pack actually provides. The higher the capacity the longer the equipment will run on battery power. Usually measured in Amp hours (Ah) or Milliamp hours (mAh).
Memory Effect: A phenomenon in which a cell or battery operated in successive cycles to the same, but less than full, depth of discharge temporarily loses the rest of its capacity at normal voltage levels.
Overcharge: The forcing of current through a cell after all the active material has been converted to the charged state, that is, continued charging after reaching 100 percent state-of-charge.
Rechargeable battery: A galvanic battery which, after discharge, may be restored to the fully charged state by the passage of an electrical current through the cell in the opposite direction to that of discharge.
Self-Discharge: The loss of useful capacity of a battery on storage due to internal chemical action (local action).
Li-ion: Lithium Ion. This is one the newest battery types available. It can offer the same power as a Ni-MH battery in a smaller & lighter package. This type does not suffer from 'Memory Effect' but it is expensive to manufacture.
Ni-Cd: Nickel Cadmium. This is one of the oldest battery technologies that are still in use. Usually found only in older equipment or applications that require a high power drain. Very prone to 'Memory Effect'.
Ni-MH: Nickel Metal Hydride. This battery type has virtually replaced the Ni-Cd batteries. This type offers higher capacities, around 30% more than a Ni-Cd cell of the same physical size. This type is also reported to suffer less from 'Memory Effect'.
Battery Float Voltage: A unit for measuring electrical pressure. All batteries provide DC (Direct Current) electricity. It is important to ensure that the equipment you are powering is being provided with the correct volt or else damage may occur.
Watts: A measurement of energy, arrived at by multiplying the voltage by the amperage.
Watt Hours : A common measurement of energy produced in a given amount of time, arrived at by multiplying the voltage by the amp hours.
What is the "Memory Effect"?
Ni-Cad batteries suffer from what's called the "memory effect" This means that if a battery is continually only partially discharged before re-charging, the battery "forgets" that is has the capacity to further discharge all the way down. To illustrate: If you, on a regular basis, fully charge your battery and then use only 50% of its capacity before the next recharge, eventually the battery will become unaware of it's extra 50% capacity which has remained unused. Your battery will remain functional, but only at 50% of its original capacity. The way to avoid the dreaded "memory effect" is to fully cycle (fully charge and then fully discharge) your battery at least once every month. Batteries can be discharged by unplugging the device's AC adapter and letting the device run on the battery until it ceases to function. This will ensure your battery remains healthy. Ni-Mh and Li-Ion batteries do not suffer the memory effect.
What is a battery cycle?
Cycle life is measured by the amount of times a battery may be charged and discharged. Every time a battery is charged and discharged, it uses one cycle. Cycle life is very important in battery applications such as laptop batteries and emergency light batteries. A NiCad battery has a cycle life of 500-1000 or more cycles.
To better use your battery, please take care of the precautions listed below
1) Do not modify or disassemble.
2) Do not incinerate or expose battery to excessive heat, which may result in an exposure.
3) Do not expose battery to water or other moist matters.
4) Do not pierce, hit, step on, crush or abuse the battery.
5) Do not place battery in device for a long period of time if device is not being used.
6) Do not short circuit the terminals or store your battery pack with metal objects such as necklaces or hairpins.
