Frequently Asked Questions about Batteries

Q: All batteries mention mAh numbers - What are these mAh numbers and why are batteries mostly more expensive when they have a greater mAh number?

A: That number denotes the capacity of a battery. Greater the mAh number, greater the capacity and greater the talk/standby times of that battery within that grade. Batteries are available in four grades. In the order of their introduction from oldest to the newest, they are as follows: Nickel Cadmium (NiCD), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), and Polymer. Therefore, the greater the mAh number does not necessarily mean that the battery has greater capacity. For example, NiCD batteries are the oldest ones around whereas the Polymer batteries are made of the newest advanced technology. Therefore, a polymer battery may have a lower mAh, less weight, and less thickness than a nickel cadmium battery and yet provide a greater capacity.

Q:What is the difference betwen Nickel-Cadmium and Nickel Metal Hydride?

A: Nickel Cadmium rechargeable packs/cells have been on the consumer market for a few decades. They typically offer standard running times (known as "Capacity") for portable electronic devices such as Camcorders, Cellular Phones, Walkie-Talkies, Laptop Computers, etc. NiCad batteries use an older technology and must be drained and then fully recharged each time they are used, or their power capacity will gradually diminish. This is called the 'memory effect'.

Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeable packs/cells represent a newer chemistry, and have been on the consumer market for this decade only. They provide longer running time without increasing physical size. Also, they contain no materials classified as "heavy metals", such as Cadmium. This means that they do not require the stringent disposal methods that Nickel Cadmium batteries do. Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries have a higher resistance to the memory effect and offer longer talk and standby times. However, they are moderately more expensive than NiCad batteries. Although some manufacturers claim that their NiMH batteries are not subject to the memory effect, NiMH batteries should go through a full discharge and recharge cycle at least once a week.

Q: Can my batteries develop a "Memory"?

A: This phrase relates to a internal symptom of some rechargeable batteries known as the "Memory Effect". This was confirmed to have existed in at least some of the older generation productions of Nickel Cadmium batteries. Basically, if the battery was not effectively & fully discharged prior to recharging, it might not deliver the full expected run-time (capacity) during the next discharge cycle. It is important to understand that this lowering of capacity was and can be related to a number of other factors, such as: (1) charging time; (2) sensitivity of 'smart' chargers; (3) inadvertant overcharging; (4) charging current; (5) battery age. Any of these factors, alone or in combination, can give the impression that a battery has lost its capacity, whether the battery actually has a memory problem or not. The memory effect occurs when a battery can no longer accept or hold a full charge. To prevent memory effect, a battery must be completely discharged prior to recharging, and should never be overcharged. Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) batteries are more prone to the memory effect than Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) or Lithium Ion (Li Ion) batteries.

Q: What is Lithium Ion?

A: Lithium Ion is the catchphrase representing a new, lightweight rechargeable battery. Lithium Ion batteries are often supplied with cellular phones, laptop computers, and newer, compact handheld transceivers. Lithium Ion batteries typically offer even greater capacity (operating time) than Nickel Metal Hydride batteries of similar size or mass. It is important to note that Lithium Ion battery cells are usually not compatible with Ni-Cd or Ni-MH cells. Whereas a Ni-Cd or Ni-MH cell is 1.2 volts nominal (Alkaline cells are listed as 1.5v nominal), a Lithium Ion battery cell is 3.6v nominal. A Lithium Ion AA-size cell CANNOT be used in place of an Alkaline, Ni-Cd, or Ni-MH cell. Furthermore, the discharging and re-charging characteristics of Lithium Ion products are very different from anything else. Lithium Ion battery products should only be recharged with approved, dedicated Lithium Ion chargers. The newest type of battery is the Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) battery. These batteries provide longer life and are much lighter than nickel based products. Li-Ion batteries are virtually unaffected by the memory effect and can offer twice the talk and stand-by times of a NiMH very similar in size. The one major drawback of Li-Ion batteries is that they are relatively expensive, often two or three time higher in price than other batteries.

Q: What is Polymer?

A: Polymer or Lithium Polymer is a new rechargeable battery product. It is very lightweight, while possessing high capacity. A Polymer cell is nominally rated at 3.7 volts, and the measured capacity varies with the physical size of the cell. The actual battery is a vacuum-sealed mylar-type exterior material, with thin synthetic & metallic sheets inside. There are usually 2 tabs extending out of the battery, one (+) and one (-). These cells are now being used in Cellphone battery packs, Palmtops, PDAs, and are also used in R/C hobby applications (such as receiver packs and slow-flight electric motor packs). Polymer rechargeable batteries utilize the latest technology to become available for consumer use in products such as portable computers, personal digital assistants (PDA's) and cellular telephones. Polymer batteries have high voltage per cell (3.8 volts avg.) and excellent energy on both a weight and volume basis. Additionally, they can be made in very thin and large footprint configurations. Polymer batteries use liquid Lithium-ion electrochemistry in a matrix of conductive polymers that eliminate free electrolyte within the cell. Polymer batteries are ideal for lightweight notebook computers, personal digital assistants (PDA's) and cellular telephones. Because of the many benefits that Polymer has over other battery chemistries, this technology may be used in additional markets in the future. Polymer batteries are BETTER than NiCd, NiMH and Li-ion solutions. Better costs more. Polymer batteries have power, weight, thickness and cycle life advantages over other types of rechargeables. They also do not suffer from the "memory effect" that is common in both NiCd and NiMH batteries. Because of the numerous advantages in capacity, cycle life, size and form factor, Lithium-ion polymer can still quite often be more economical than the next best unit cost alternative!!

Q: My pack says 7.5 volts. Is that MORE voltage than 7.2 volts? OR, my pack says 10.8 volts. Will an 11.25 volt pack hurt my radio?

A: Short answer: 7.5 volts = 7.2 volts in performance. 10.8 volts = 11.25 volts in performance.

Long answer: Some manufacturers list a single rechargeable Ni-Cd or Ni-MH cell as 1.2 volts (Sanyo & Panasonic, for instance). Other manufacturers (Motorola, for instance) list a single cell voltage as 1.25 volts. In actuality, there is no difference in the cell voltage. However, when a manufacturer declares the extra 5/100 of a volt per cell (it is certainly a permitted activity), it adds up when you have a lot of cells in a battery pack. And the net result is a battery pack that appears to have higher voltage than another. It looks impressive, and it is intended to. But, it is not actually a higher voltage.

Q: Why is there a switch on the back of my battery?

A: The switch on the back of some batteries is simply a personal reminder. Sliding the switch to red indicates that it's charged, sliding it to white indicates it needs charging. This switch does not affect a battery's operation.

Q: How long will a battery last before I need to replace it?

A: A battery's lifespan is dependant upon its technology (Eg. NiCad, NiMH, or Li-Ion). The average battery can be recharged 200 to 400 times before needing to be replaced.

Q. Why won't my battery hold a charge?

A: The average battery will only accept between 200 and 400 charges before wearing out. Improper charging or storage at extreme temperatures can also cause a battery to refuse a charge.

Q. What can I do to make my battery last longer?

A: Since you only get 300-500 charge cycles from a battery before the chemistry is exhausted, it is important to note that every time the battery charges, whether for one minute or for 24 hours, it is still one charge cycle counted against the chemical lifespan of your battery. Therefore to maximize battery life, it is unwise to leave ANY type of battery charger continuously connected to a draining cell phone that is turned on, as the charger will automatically recharge when there is only a small amount of voltage discharge. Your battery will perform best if it is charged after being warmed to room temperature. For ALL batteries: To achieve full battery capacity, new batteries must be charged, with the phone off, for at least 24 hours before initial use. Note that a new battery's full performance is only achieved after 2-3 complete charge and discharge cycles.

Our detailed advice for our customers on some battery issues commonly encountered by our customers:

BREAK IN NEW BATTERIES
New batteries arrive uncharged from the factory. In order to break in a new battery, we suggest charging and then discharging the battery 2-4 times so that they can reach their full rated capacity. You can discharge most cellular phone batteries by unplugging the cell phone from its power source and leaving it turned on until it is completely discharged.

ELIMINATE MEMORY EFFECTS
This is not too much of a concern now that most wireless phone batteries available are not Nickel Cadmium batteries. However, many NiCad batteries are still available for mobile phones and many more NiCad batteries are available for home cordless phones. Therefore, we feel it is very important to address this issue that will shed some light on it and hopefully help you to get your cell phone or cordless phone NiCad batteries to hold more charge and last longer. NiCad or Nickel Cadmium batteries are one of the longest lasting batteries in terms of the number of times they can be charged during their lifetime and therefore are still used extensively for home cordless phones. However, they have a mojor drawback - They suffer from an affliction known as the "memory effect". The battery will only charge to the level at which the battery was last discharged due to an accumulation of gas bubbles on the cell plates. For example, if a battery is discharged to 30% and then recharged, the battery will only charge to 30% of its capacity thus shrinking the battery's gas tank.

NIMH or Nickel Metal Hydride, Li-Ion or Lithium Ion, and Li-Polymer or Lithium Polymer batteries are known as the "Memory Free" batteries. For any specific mAh rating, NIMH batteries offer approximately 30% more capacity than NiCad, Li-Ion batteries offer even more capacity than NIMH, and Li-Polymer batteries offer even higher capacity than Li-Ion batteries. Li-Polymer batteries are the most technologically advanced batteries with the least weight and most capacity in the same mAh rating class as the other NiCad, NIMH, or Li-Ion batteries.

BURP YOUR NICAD BATTERY
The best way to undo the memory effect or eliminate the memory and remove the accumulated gas bubbles on the cell plates is to "burp", or condition it. This means draining your NiCad battery until your phone shuts off (sometimes very time consuming), and then recharging it. Alternatively, you may purchase one of our cell phone dual port desktop chargers (for older phones that still use NiCad batteries) that condition the battery (drains remaining charge/ power) and then recharges it.

WORK THEM OUT
To increase the life of your batteries, don't leave them dormant for extended periods of time. Even if you use AC power most of the time, use the battery periodically to keep it fresh and healthy. Unplug your AC adapter when the phone, computer, etc. is not in use.

STORE
If your battery used to last 3 hours and now only lasts 1 hour, it could be due to the memory effect or it might just mean that it is time for a new battery - Please read the statistics below for more detailed clarification on this statement in order to ascertain the real reason:

• NiCad batteries last approximately 700 charge/ discharge cycles or upto and a half years on average.

• NiMH batteries last approximately 400 charge/ dis-charge cycles.

• Li Ion batteries last approximately 300 charge/ dis charge cycles or upto 1 year on average.

RECYCLE WHEN THEY DIE
Please be kind to the environment and do your share to reduce polluting it by not throwing your batteries in the trash. The EPA estimates that 200 tons of cadmium and 260,000 tons of lead enter the waste stream annually. Please drop them off at your nearest local recycling center. Thank you.

Found Lower Purchase Price Elsewhere? Buy it at the best price here! Simply email and/or fax, Lowest Price Guarantee form if you find accessories or related supplies for less and await our response during business hours with a new lower cost of upto US $10 less. Competing retail suppliers or online stores must be located in USA or Canada. See product supply price guarantee form for details.