Care info for NiMH's & Li-ion's

[mleroux]

O great ones, could you point me to a web page, PDF document or something similar that explains to a layman how to properly care for NiMH's and Li-ion's (14500's)?

I need information that is comprehensive, accurate and presented in a simple, accessible manner. I've had NiMH's for a number of years and will soon receive 14500's for my Quark AA Tactical (R5 edition), but there seems to be so much incomplete and/or inaccurate information about rechargeables out there.

By "care" I primarily mean the charging/discharging of cells. For example, I heard that NiMH's shouldn't be run down too far; but how far is "too far"? Storage of cells, etc, should also be covered, please.

 

[lightsandknives]

Lots of info here. More on li-ion, but good reads all of them.

 

[45/70]

mleroux, if you really want the answers to your questions, unfortunately there is no "simple" answer. Rechargeable battery cells are fairly complex. That's part of the reason why a lot of people don't have good luck with them.

In addition to the link to the Threads of Interest lightsandknives provided (you should really check out this one too), Battery University is a good site that covers the proper care and feeding of most common chemistry cells. It's a bit in depth, but if you really want to know and understand how to use rechargeables, it's a good place to start.

Dave

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Mieroux,

Welcome to CPF.

Once you spend some time reading the various information that is in the various links that have been presented, you will begin to form some specific questions.

Be sure to ask those questions and we will give you the best answers we can come up with.

Tom

 

[pseudoblue]

Yea it takes lots of reading from many sources and with experiences with NiMH batts over the years as well. I find this link below most helpful too.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=201375 (MDs Rechargeable Compatibility chart/guide for popular flashlights!)