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Home Electronic and tools
Home Ni-Cd NiCAD (Nickel Cadmium) - has memory effect
NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) - higher capacity and are mostly memory free
Li-Ion (Lithium Ion) - highest capacity and the lightest weight, memory-free.
Li-Poly (Lithium Polymer). ultra-lightweight & does not explode. memory-free.
Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) - Heavy, Shorter life, must be kept at full
charge during storage.
Alkalines - Disposable, inexpensive.
Nickel oxy-hydroxide similar to alkalines. Better performance in a digital camera,
worse in a CD player.
Both NiCd and SLA batteries can be severely damaged by being
deeply discharged to down below 75% of their rated voltage
- For gear with a high power drain (Video camera) or for devices you use often, rechargeable (NiMH) batteries are much more economical than disposables.
- NiMH cells discharge when they're not in use, so they're not the best choice for battery-powered devices that often sit idle.
- For a digital camera, buy disposable lithium. They retain most of their power for years when in storage.
- low- or medium-draw gear e.g. a CD player, buy a highly rated alkaline.
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|
| |
NiCd |
NiMH |
Lead
Acid |
Li-ion |
Li-ion
polymer |
Reusable
Alkaline |
|
|
| Gravimetric
Energy Density (Wh/kg) |
45-80 |
60-120 |
30-50 |
110-160 |
100-130 |
80 (initial) |
Internal
Resistance
(includes peripheral circuits) in mW |
100 to 2001
6V pack |
200 to 3001
6V pack |
<1001
12V pack |
150 to 2501
7.2V pack |
200 to 3001
7.2V pack |
200 to 20001
6V pack |
| Cycle
Life (to 80% of initial capacity) |
15002 |
300 to 5002,3 |
200 to
3002 |
500 to 10003 |
300 to
500 |
503
(to 50%) |
| Fast
Charge Time |
1h typical |
2-4h |
8-16h |
2-4h |
2-4h |
2-3h |
| Overcharge
Tolerance |
moderate |
low |
high |
very low |
low |
moderate |
| Self-discharge
/ Month (room temperature) |
20%4 |
30%4 |
5% |
10%5 |
~10%5 |
0.3% |
| Cell
Voltage (nominal) |
1.25V6 |
1.25V6 |
2V |
3.6V |
3.6V |
1.5V |
Load
Current
- peak
- best result |
20C
1C |
5C
0.5C or lower |
5C7
0.2C |
>2C
1C or lower |
>2C
1C or lower |
0.5C
0.2C or lower |
| Operating
Temperature (discharge only) |
-40 to
60*C |
-20 to
60*C |
-20 to
60*C |
-20 to
60*C |
0 to
60*C |
0 to
65*C |
| Maintenance
Requirement |
30 to 60 days |
60 to 90 days |
3 to 6 months9 |
not req. |
not req. |
not req. |
Typical
Battery Cost
(US$, reference only) |
$50
(7.2V) |
$60
(7.2V) |
$25
(6V) |
$100
(7.2V) |
$100
(7.2V) |
$5
(9V) |
| Cost
per Cycle (US$)11 |
$0.04 |
$0.12 |
$0.10 |
$0.14 |
$0.29 |
$0.10-0.50 |
| Commercial
use since |
1950 |
1990 |
1970 |
1991 |
1999 |
1992 |
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Source: What is the perfect battery? by Isidor Buchmann, President Cadex Electronics
- Internal resistance of a battery pack varies with cell rating, type of protection circuit and number of cells. Protection circuit of Li
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