The proliferation of technology has contributed to the number of wireless electronic devices being used at home, work, and play. As the number of devices grows, so do the number of rechargeable batteries in devices around you. Smartphones, power tools, laptops, cordless phones, children’s toys and small appliances such as hand-held vacuum cleaners all use rechargeable batteries.
The electronics revolution isn’t stopping any time soon. Devices will continue to add features while they shrink in size. Driving that revolution are new battery technologies that pack better performance into smaller, lighter packages and extend operating times.
New battery technologies also mean greater care should be taken to extend the life of the battery and minimize potential hazards. Below we offer a few reminders to help you properly charge and store your rechargeable batteries.
Don’t overdo it.
One of the most important things you can do to extend battery life is to avoid overcharging. Disconnect chargers and devices with rechargeable batteries after the battery reaches full charge. Overcharging occurs when the device or battery is plugged into a charger after full charge has been reached and may reduce battery life. Battery University recommends that nickel- and lithium-based batteries be stored with a 40 percent state-of-charge. This level minimizes age-related capacity loss while keeping the battery in good operating condition and allowing self-discharge.
Be present.
Whenever possible, recharge your batteries while you are nearby. A battery fire could happen if a device with a defective battery is left unattended and it overheats. A working smoke detector and a fire extinguisher provide extra insurance if something happens.
Stay away from flammables.
Be sure to place the device or battery charger on a non-flammable surface during charging. That includes pillows, blankets, sheets, paper, clothing and fabric, such as curtains. When there is good air circulation around the device and minimal exposure to direct sunlight, the device won’t overheat and cause smoke or fire.
Don’t be extreme.
Rechargeable batteries are often exposed to unfavorable temperatures. Just think about when you’ve left your phone in your car on a really hot or cold day. Extreme temperatures can shorten expected battery life, so store your batteries and devices in a cool place whenever possible. The recommended storage temperature for most batteries is 15°C (59°F) according to Battery University. This temperature minimizes capacity loss while keeping the battery in operating condition and allowing self-discharge.
Pick the right method.
You should always charge rechargeable batteries in the device it’s used in, the charger it came with or a charger recommended by the manufacturer. Chargers are designed for specific battery types; mixing chargers and batteries could result in unexpected problems. Check the manufacturer’s web site for instructions if you plan to charge your device or batteries using a new method.
Don’t mix.
When recharging batteries in a charger, don’t mix rechargeable and disposable batteries. Disposal (alkaline) batteries are not rechargeable and should never be placed in a charger. Manufacturers also warn against mixing brands of rechargeable batteries in a charger. Each brand should be charged separately to avoid any hazards.
Be kind to the dead.
What do you do with your used or dead batteries? Store them in a non-metal container in a cool dry place until you can properly dispose of them. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends taping the terminals of used batteries with electrical tape or by placing each battery in separate plastic bags. Terminals that rub against each other could cause a spark. Never put loose batteries in a drawer or area where they may come into contact with metal items such paper clips or steel wool.
Recycle! Recycle! Recycle!
Don’t throw your used rechargeable batteries in the trash. They will go straight to the landfill. We recommend that you remove the rechargeable batteries before disposing of an electronic device; most electronics recyclers do not recycle batteries separately. To make sure they are recycled properly, make sure they are going to a battery recycler for processing.
Call2Recycle makes rechargeable battery recycling easy. Just visit our web site locator; enter your zip code to see the closest recycling locations from our list of public recycling locations. Many municipalities also offer battery recycling programs, either curbside or through their hazardous waste/recycling facilities. By recycling your batteries through Call2Recycle, you can be assured that the byproducts will be used to create new products such as new batteries, steel alloys and cement additives, and nothing will be disposed of in a landfill.
Be Safe.
Next time you are tempted to take a shortcut when storing, charging or recycling your electronic device, think twice. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has a long list of reported battery-related incidents that occurred while an electronic device was in use, being stored and during battery charging. By taking just a few precautions and using some common sense, you can protect yourself from potential hazards and extend the battery life of your portable devices.
FAQs
If you buy new (rechargeable) batteries, but you're not immediately using them, keep them in the original packaging. This prevents that the batteries come into contact with other metals. Do not store your batteries in metal containers, use a battery box or a plastic one . Avoid coins or other metals in the same box.
What are the 7 stages of battery charging? ›
The 7 charge stages are: Desulphation; Soft Start; Bulk; Absorption; Analysis; Recondition and Float.
What are the 9 stages of a battery charging? ›
9- Stage Charging: Primary Evaluation (Diagnostic), Recovery, Soft Start, Pulse, Reconditioning, Bulk Charge, Absorption Charge, Evaluation (Diagnostic), and Maintenance Charge.
Is it better to store rechargeable batteries full or empty? ›
The battery should be discharged before storage. If the battery is to be stored longer than a year, it should be fully charged and discharged at least once a year to maintain performance.
What is the safest way to store batteries? ›
According to Energizer, batteries are best stored in "a cool, dry place at normal room temperature." That means avoiding any and all areas of the house that are even remotely damp, hot, and humid.
Does leaving rechargeable batteries on charge damage them? ›
Avoid leaving your batteries in a charger for more than 24 hours. Whilst most intelligent chargers are set to a trickle charge once the rechargeable battery is fully charged, to avoid damage to the battery, it is still best to take the batteries out of the charger once they are charged.
What are the 4 methods of charging? ›
An object cannot become charged by destroying or creating its own electrons. If one object loses electrons, another object must pick them up. There are four methods by which charges can redistribute themselves to build up static electricity: by friction, by conduction, by induction, and by polarization.
What are the 5 types of battery charges? ›
Different Types of Assault and Battery Charges
- Simple Assault.
- Aggravated Assault and Battery.
- Sexual Assault.
- Domestic Violence.
- Aggravated Assault.
In order to charge an object, one has to alter the charge balance of positive and negative charges. There are three ways to do it: friction, conduction and induction.
What is a 8 stage battery charger? ›
Stage 8 Battery Charging
This is a full function charging program that analyses the battery at certain points during the charging cycle, to achieve optimum charging capacity.
An average car battery has a capacity of around 48 amp hours which means that, fully charged, it delivers 1 amp for 48 hours, 2 amps for 24 hours, 8 amps for 6 hours and so on.
What are the 4 stages of battery charging? ›
Most voltage regulators perform four stages of battery charge:
- The bulk charge.
- The absorption charge.
- The float charge.
- The equalization stage.
In a lithium-ion battery, overcharging can create unstable conditions inside the battery, increase pressure, and cause thermal runaway. Lithium-ion battery packs are required to have a protection circuit to prevent excessive pressure build-up and cut off the flow of ions when the temperature is too high.
How long do rechargeable batteries stay charged when not in use? ›
They retain 90% of their capacity after 1 year, 80% after 3 years, and even after 10 years in storage some 70%. Many other ready for use batteries lose their charge rather quickly.
Do rechargeable batteries drain when not in use? ›
Yes, every battery has a “self-discharge” rate. It may be 1%, 2%, 3% …etc. The lower the rate, the longer it'll take the battery to run out. Note that for some of batteries, if they run out and you do not charge them for a while, they may be permanently damaged and lose their ability to recharge.
How do you store batteries so they don't leak? ›
Leaking batteries
Batteries start to leak if they remain unused in a device for too long. Then you get those recognizable white grains that are caked around the battery. If this is the case, you should place each battery separately in a transparent plastic bag to store them.
How many times can you charge rechargeable batteries? ›
First, rechargeables have a shelf life of about 5 years and can be recharged roughly 500–1,000 times, depending on brand and usage. That means you'll probably need to buy fewer of them than you do when purchasing single-use batteries.
What are the 3 laws of electric charges? ›
Three important rules to remember about charges: Positive charges repel each other. Negative charges repel each other. Opposite charges attract.
Which charging method is best? ›
What's the best way to charge your smartphone?
- Avoid full cycle (0-100%) and overnight charging. ...
- Ending a charge at 80-90% is better for the battery than topping up to completely full.
- Use fast charging technologies sparingly and when your device is cool.
- Heat is the battery killer.
There are three common methods of charging a battery; constant voltage, constant current and a combination of constant voltage/constant current with or without a smart charging circuit.
Putting masking tape on batteries is one way to prevent them from touching. Ziplock bags are another way. "Putting them in plastic bags with all the negatives up, all the positives up, or however you want to do that," Dill said. "Make sure they're tight, so they don't roll around in that."
Should I store rechargeable batteries in the fridge? ›
In short: no. While cold environments help maintain battery life, refrigerators and freezers are not safe to put batteries in. The moist environment will cause condensation on the batteries. This in turn will lead to rust or other damage.
How do you store rechargeable batteries over the winter? ›
Storing Batteries for Winter
- 1- Fully charge battery pack. ...
- 2- Store it in a dry place. ...
- 3- Store in an appropriate temperature. ...
- 4- If stored in cold check charge status periodically & re-charge. ...
- 5- Ensure storage from metal objects.
If charged and not placed into a device, a rechargeable battery can last up to seven years. The rate of natural discharge will be relatively slow.
Don’t throw your used rechargeable batteries in the trash. They will go straight to the landfill. We recommend that you remove the rechargeable batteries before disposing of an electronic device; most electronics recyclers do not recycle batteries separately. To make sure they are recycled properly, make sure they are going to a battery recycler for processing.