Rechargeable Batteries Work — And How!
The rechargeable battery is a necessity in today’s wireless world. From computer mice to weed whackers, consumers are pulling the plugs on tradition and opting for the enhanced convenience and extended range of use provided by cordless appliances. However the rosy benefits of going wireless would certainly pale, if not for rechargeable batteries.
You can’t beat a rechargeable battery for longevity. Although when you make the switch to rechargeable batteries, you might first be disappointed in that rechargeable batteries generally lose power quicker than the old standbys do.
There’s no near-death experience for the traditional battery. When it’s dead, it’s gone! Yet, when the traditional battery bites the dust, the rechargeable rises from the ashes to deliver hundreds, sometimes thousands more hours of use, literally keeping today’s unplugged owners from battery bankruptcy! The actual two classes of batteries are primary (non-rechargeable batteries) and secondary (rechargeable batteries). Both types of batteries share the same basic components:
- A Positive electrode, the cathode
- A Negative electrode, the anode
- A Separator
- A Chemical Solution, the electrolytes
However, unlike primary batteries, the chemical reaction of rechargeable batteries is reversed, allowing you to recharge the battery. Although nothing lasts forever, some secondary batteries can be recharged over 1000 times.
There are several types of small appliance battery chargers in use today. Cordless and cell phones are usually sold with a plug-in accessory that recharges your phone when it’s not in use. Cordless power tools, such as drills and screwdrivers, are marketed in a package that contains the tool, two batteries, and a battery charger. Of course, those battery chargers that hold a spare set of your AA, A, D or other household batteries are still available, too.
Industry offers a broad selection of battery types, rechargeable as well as primary batteries. However, most experts agree that the best all-around use battery is the rechargeable Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) which made its predecessor, the NICAD, obsolete.