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DEL.ICIO.USShocking news about batteries
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When is the last time you heard someone brag about the batteries they use?
Ultracool plasma TVs or trendy new Macintosh computers attract attention. But if batteries were people they’d wear plain blue suits and brown shoes. No one would talk to them at parties.
But, dull though they may be, we all notice batteries when they run out of juice somewhere over Albuquerque as we fly from Atlanta to Los Angeles. And we sure notice them when — as is possible with lithium ion batteries — they cause our laptop computers to burst into flames.
The recent recall of 4.1 Dell laptop computer batteries — fueled by fears of fire — started me thinking about these supporting actors of the technology world.
Let’s start with the most humble of the humble, the kind of batteries you see in big value packs at the grocery checkout line. Nowadays most of these are alkaline batteries instead of the even older zinc carbon batteries. Most alkaline batteries are not made to be recharged. In fact, unless the label specifically says a battery is rechargeable, never put it in a charger.
But there are plenty of uses in which these inexpensive batteries make sense. These applications take advantage of the fact that — unlike rechargeable batteries — most of the charge remains even when the battery is stored for a year or more.
It’s a good idea to stockpile batteries like these for flashlights, fluorescent lanterns and the like. They’re also the right choice for TV remote controls and fire alarms. And when the rechargeable batteries I use in my digital camera run down when I’m away from home, I pop these batteries into my camera.
Nickel-cadmium batteries were one of the first types of rechargeable batteries I remember, although nowadays you’re more likely to find nickel-metal hydride batteries in the rechargeable aisle.
I use rechargeable batteries in power-hungry devices that would drive me into bankruptcy if I had to buy new batteries each time the charge ran down.
The main things to remember is the fact, mentioned earlier, that the charge will gradually run down even when the battery isn’t in use. So you should charge these batteries right before you use them. It’s also a good idea to use most of the charge before recharging.
Also, make sure you use a charger that is made for the type of battery you use. So double-check, when you buy a charger, that it matches the batteries. I take this to an extreme and also use a charger from the company that markets the batteries.
My advice is to follow any charging directions that come with the batteries, even if they disagree with what I say here. Generally I charge brand new batteries overnight before using them.
While these batteries don’t have the same kind of built-in dangers as lithium-ion batteries, it’s not a good idea to carry a bunch of them in your pocket. It’s possible — although not likely — to create a short-circuit as they bump around with pocket change, other batteries and your car keys. A fire in your pocket can ruin the day.
Now we get to lithium-ion batteries. They have drawn rave reviews — rightly so, I think — because they offer longer battery life and pack more power per ounce than any other generally available battery.
You probably have a lithium-ion battery in your cellphone, your MP3 player and your laptop computer. But as the Dell recall underlined, these are delicate creatures.
Even when correctly made and used, there are some frightening aspects of lithium-ion. They are the only generally available battery that uses flammable materials stored under pressure. You can read more about this at CNet.com here.
That article will tell you about possible replacements under development for lithium-ion batteries. Meantime, the advantages of lithium-ion batteries are too strong to ignore. So, for me at least, I’ll keep using these batteries in my laptop computer and cellphone.
I won’t tell you what to do in your own house — I don’t want a fire on my conscience — so make up your own mind. Keep in mind that a few incidents can make it seem as if the world will be ending tomorrow.
I hope you got a charge out of this. If you have battery stories to tell, pass them along.
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By Ira Carlin
August 25, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this
You are correct about recharging Alkaline batteries with one exception. Disposable “do not recharge” Alkaline batteries can be safely and effectively recharged, if you use a “Battery Xtender” and ONLY this patented product. See below: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Battery Xtender Lives Up to Its Claims as the First Safe and Effective Alkaline Battery Recharger
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – February 14, 2006 - Forget what you’ve been told about disposable batteries not being rechargeable. The Battery Xtender can safely and effectively recharge alkaline batteries of all sizes, saving consumers money and sparing our environment from potentially hazardous waste.
Traditional alkaline batteries, first introduced in the 1950’s, have been a reliable source of portable power for years. Familiar and dependable, they generally have a finite shelf life and are discarded when their “juice” runs out. And so the costly cycle of battery waste continues … that is, until now.
After fifteen years of testing and refinement, the Battery Xtender has arrived. Used as directed, this device can simultaneously recharge sizes AA, AAA, C, and D of 1.2 – 1.5 volt disposable alkaline batteries, extending their useful life up to ten times or more. The Battery Xtender is also capable of recharging other types of battery chemistries, including Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Zinc Carbon, Titanium and Rechargeable Alkaline Manganese (RAM).
The Battery Xtender is certainly not the first alkaline battery charger to hit the market in recent years. Unfortunately, rechargers of the past not only failed to revive battery power, they created a buildup of heat and gas which often caused batteries to burst. The Battery Xtender accomplishes what other alkaline battery rechargers could not: it successfully restores the voltage of common throwaway batteries to near-new capacity, without any risk of harm to the user.
The Battery Xtender Uses Patented Technology to Recharge Alkaline Batteries
The innovativeness of the Battery Xtender lies in its precise control of the charging process. Using a patented microprocessor technique called “Smart Charge”, it automatically adjusts the charging currents in proportion to the size of the battery being charged, and turns off when charging is complete. LED indicators located on the front of the device allow users to easily monitor the charging status.
Unlike previous alkaline battery rechargers, the Battery Xtender is unconditionally safe. Since it features an automatic shutoff element, there is no danger of overcharging. The self-monitoring technology of this device ensures that there is no accumulation of gas, heat or pressure; in fact, batteries remain cool to the touch throughout the charging process.
The key to recharging alkaline batteries with the Battery Xtender is that the batteries must not have been completely drained of their power in previous use. By following this simple rule of thumb, everyday disposable batteries can be recharged many times over.
New Alkaline Battery Recharger is Cost-Effective and Convenient
For consumers, the economic advantage of Battery Xtender is clear. Between power-hungry digital cameras, remote controls, portable media devices, toys, and other gadgets, Americans buy over $6.1 billion worth of replacement batteries each year. With the Battery Xtender, single-use batteries can be reused rather than thrown away. In terms of the money they save on replacement batteries, users can recoup the cost of this alkaline battery recharger in a very short amount of time.
For the millions who depend on batteries from day to day, the convenience of the Battery Xtender is invaluable. Its simple, one-handed operation allows it to be used by people of all ages, including children. Weighing a mere 14.2 ounces, the device takes up a trivial amount of space and is small enough to travel with. At home, the Battery Xtender can be used to provide a ready power source for emergency flashlights, digital cameras, and children’s toys. Teenagers and college students can keep their portable music and media devices running without the hassle of buying replacement batteries. For institutions such as hospitals, having batteries in a high state of charge and readiness is critical for powering devices such as portable monitoring equipment.
The Battery Xtender Addresses Ecological Concerns
In addition to its practical benefits, the Battery Xtender promises to be a boon for the environment as well. Each year, billions of disposable alkaline batteries end up in landfills, releasing potentially toxic pollutants such as zinc oxide, manganese dioxide, and potassium hydroxide. Although some states require that batteries be recycled at an authorized facility, many more do not govern their disposal. By allowing consumers to reuse the alkaline batteries they would normally throw away, the Battery Xtender effectively reduces the burden of waste and contamination on our landfills.
The Battery Xtender is a proven, patented product that puts to rest the myth that you cannot safely recharge alkaline batteries. This device retails at $39.95 including free domestic shipping when ordered online at http://www.batteryxtender.com.
#Contact:
Ira Carlin, More Power 2U Phone: 954-578-6909 Fax: 954-578-2997 Email: iracarlin@theweb2u.com
To learn more about the Battery Xtender, please visit: http://www.batteryxtender.com
By Linda Gabor
August 28, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
Although most rechargeable batteries generally last up to 1,000 charges, eventually they do lose their power and will no longer hold a full charge. That is when they can and should be recycled.
I would like to introduce the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation’s (RBRC’s) nationwide recycling program, Call2Recycle™, one of the largest and most comprehensive rechargeable battery recycling programs nationwide.
Rechargeable batteries can be recycled at more than 30,000 convenient collection locations, including Circuit City, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Office Depot, RadioShack, Sears, and Target.
For more information or to find a rechargeable battery collection site in your neighborhood, visit [www.call2recycle.org] (http://www.call2recycle.org) or call toll free 1-877-2-RECYCLE.
Through the Call2Recycle™ program, we can ensure that rechargeable batteries are prevented from entering the solid waste stream, while protecting the environment and preserving our natural resources.