Battery Types

It is recommended that all batteries be disposed of by sending to a recycling center

Primary Cells (Non-Rechargeable)

1. Examples are carbon composition and alkaline
2. Do not re-charge

Re-chargeable Alkaline

1. Low Power
2. Can cost less than standard alkaline batteries based on usage
3. Good for portable medium current draw devices (portable CD  and MP3 players)
4. Limited number of recharges - the deeper the discharge the shorter the life

Wet Cell Automotive

1.  Lead Acid - wet or flooded; used in automobiles and other heavy duty applications
2. Used for automotive and motorcycle applications
3. Charged to a level so as to reach the gas-generating mode
4. Provide high current for short periods
5. Produce hydrogen gas when recharging and must not be kept or charged in a confined space
6. Has the lowest energy density, along with low cost

Deep Cycle

1. Heavier plates allow for deeper discharge over longer periods
2. Used for golf carts, fish trolling, RV’s, etc.
3. Deep Cycle batteries can be abused and will return to full capacity for many cycles
4. Has the lowest energy density, along with lower cost
5. Produce hydrogen gas when recharging and must not be kept or charged in a confined space
6. Must be recycled
1. Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) (Gel-Cell)
1. Charged to a level so as to not reach the gas-generating mode
2. Used when bulk power is needed and weight is not critical (Hospitals, emergency lighting, and alarms)
3. Typical values are from 1 to 30 Ah (may rate at 0.05 C – 20 hour rate) while they are available from 50 to 200 Ah
4. Low energy density with low cost
5. Deep cycling destructive to battery while intermittent high-rate pulse discharge rate in excess of 1C can be drawn.   0.2 C discharge rate ideal to 3 C max
6. No harm in keeping on float for prolonged periods - should be cycled every 3 to 6 months.
7. Low maintenance, no memory effects, and best charge retention
8. Cycle life directly related to the depth of discharge
9. High temperature increases capacity but reduces life while low temperature reduces capacity
10. Must be stored in a fully charged state, failure to do so allows for sulfation which reduces capacity
11. Must be recycled
2. Nickel Cadmium (NiCd)
1. Typically not used in new applications
2. Fast and simple to charge with a high number of cycles
3. Excellent load capacity at extended temperatures
4. Forgiving if abused, while easy to recharge
5. Low cost
6. Memory if used in cyclic mode, example constant load with constant recharge such as     satellites
7. Does not like to be floated for extended periods (several days)
8. Likes periodic full discharge
9. Environmentally not good – must be properly recycled
3. Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH)
1. 30% more capacity then the standard NiCd batteries
2. Less susceptible to memory than NiCd batteries
3. Fewer toxic metals
4. Shallow discharges preferred and limited number of cycles
5. Can not fast charge and must have controlled charge cycle
6. Load capacity of 0.2 to 0.5C
7. Used in Ham radios, digital cameras, toys etc
4. Lithium Ion (Li-ion)
1. Energy density twice that of NiCd
2. Requires circuitry to limit peak voltage of each cell and limit discharge voltage
3. Characteristics similar to SLA batteries but 3.6 V per cell
4. Used in Ham radios, digital cameras, laptop computers, etc

Battery Packs

• Limit to 12 individual cells that can be paralleled or put in series
• Cell matching important and based on capacity, voltage, age, and type
• Connect in series for increased voltage and parallel for more current capacity
• Intelligent Battery Packs – communicate charge capacity etc to chargers and controllers