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			How to Treat Your Rechargable Batteries (For Longer Life) by Arnold Kim Article Rating = 3.68 (185 votes)

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Category: Computers & Technology Whether you are using rechargable AA batteries or a custom rechargable battery for your laptop, these tips will help you get the most out of those batteries, and know which battery to choose. NiCD Nickel Cadmium or NiCads are generally the cheapest rechargable batteries around. You can find NiCad AAs at Radio Shack (amongst other places). Since they're the cheapest, if you own an electric razor, cordless phone or other consumer device - most likely, they'll have NiCDs. The problem with NiCDs is they are most susceptible to getting a "memory" effect. If you recharge these batteries before they are almost completely drained, you're shortening the life of these batteries. For example, if you always recharge your electric razor when it's only half-way uncharged, eventually, the battery won't be able to utilize that half you never use. Pretty soon, you'll be lucky to get one shave out of your razor before the battery dies. So, to get the longest battery life, you should NOT recharge these devices until they are running low on power. So, don't leave your razor or phone sitting on the charger all the time. Wait until they are low on power, give it a good full recharge. Then repeat. NiMH Nickel Metal Hydride or NiMHs. These are more expensive than NiCDs. In fact, the rechargable NiMH AA's are quite expensive (also can be found at Radio Shack). More expensive items - such as laptops, may come with NiMH batteries as standard. NiMH's are better than NiCD's because they are less likely to exhibit the "memory" effect. They, are, however still susceptible. You just don't have to be as concerned about it. NiMH's also generally have a higher storage capacity. (You'll get longer life from them compared to NiCDs). Lithium Ion Li-ion. These are perhaps the best consumer batteries. As well, they are the most expensive. These exhibit almost NO "memory" effect. These are usually the "long life" batteries that are sold as additional accessories for Laptops. They last a long time, and you don't have to worry about them losing their charge. I don't think any AA version of these are made. Alkaline Rechargables Renewels are the major brand of this type of battery. They only come as consumer batteries (AA, AAA, C, D). They are just ok, in my opinion. They have no memory effect - in fact, they encourage you to recharge them as often as you can. In fact, fully draining these batteries may cause more problems (might lose the charge). But, these also have very poor capacity. Your walkman or whatever won't run near as long on these. So, the sum up: treat your NiCD's right or they'll die quickly. If you don't want to worry about it, or need longer battery life, splurge on the NiMH or Lion batteries. About the author... Submitted By Arnold Kim Description computer programmer Web Page http://www.weeno.com Other Articles in this Category QNX: Another Alternate Operating System by kersah How to Quickly Get Through to Tech Support by charles ma How to Store Things on a Flash Card for a WinCE Palm-size PC by Blake W Patterson Introduction to Handheld Computers in Medicine by Arnold Intro to Voice Recognition Software by Leslie Wood More Than You Wanted to Know About Cordless Phones by Gary Rimar Other Sites Storkin.com - Baby and Pregnancy Tips and Discussion iPhone Games at TouchArcade.com iPhone Apps at AppShopper.com Health Articles Menopause Symptoms HIV/AIDS Symptoms West Nile Symptoms Diabetes Symptoms Pregnancy Symptoms Read other Articles - click here.