pendragon2019
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2019
- Messages
- 17
Hi,
You folks seem to be the rechargeable battery gurus, so hopefully it's ok to post this here.
I inherited a project at work that involves data recorders, each powered by 4x D-cell NiMH 1.2V batteries. We're talking 500+ batteries. The lab has literally bins full of three types of D-cell batteries:
IMEDION 9500 mAh
POWEREX 11000 mAh
POWEREX 9000 mAh
Some have been used in the field before, some are new. Batteries used in the field have spent at minimum 2-3 months, sometimes cumulatively 8-12 months (I'm not sure) in weatherproof enclosures exposed to typical southeastern US conditions (heat and humidity). The recorders stay in standby mode for days or weeks, then activate for short periods over 60 days.
I have some questions about maintaining this rather pricey stock of batteries. The previous guy left before I started, and any way, I want to implement best practices for storage and maintenance so these batteries continue to perform properly in the field. If I need to buy new batteries, or new testing/charging equipment, that can probably be worked out.
Testing:
We have a ZTS Pulse Load Multi-Battery Tester MBT-1. It seems to work ok, but would a fluke meter be a better option? (I admit, I kind of just want a fluke to have around, but only if I have a legit need). The MBT-1 gives a 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, (>80%) reading, but I'd like to know if the batteries are charging properly and anticipate failures, so I can take them out of rotation. I'd rather toss a semi-questionable battery than risk a failure in the field.
Some of the batteries have brown discoloration of the paper tops, which I am assuming is chemicals leaking from the battery. I think those should be disposed of, correct?
Charging:
We have several Maha PowerEx MH-C808M Charger for Eight AA/AAA/C/D NiMH/NiCD Batteries. I need to find a manual to understand the soft vs rapid charging modes. Also, I'd like to know if it's ok to charge the various mAh batteries mixed up on the charger or if I should only charge like-batteries.
Should I do some sort of topping off between deployments? They'll come back to me drained in, say, April. Then they won't be needed again until December or January. Should I recharge in April, then top them off in Dec? What's best practice?
Deployment:
Each recorder takes four batteries. I'm assuming they ought to be charged to the same level (they'd all be topped off). Can I mix batteries in devices, or should I stick to all four being the same type in any given recorder?
Storage:
Some of the batteries are stored on their ends in heavy plastic trays, while many others are dumped into bins. The latter gives me the heebie-jeebies, and makes me worry about fire hazards. I plan to - at the very least - have them all stacked up on end so they can't touch the neighbor's terminals. Should I be worried about venting gas during storage or charging, or is that just Lithium chemistry batteries?
I think that's enough questions for now. I appreciate y'all taking the time to read through and help me out.
You folks seem to be the rechargeable battery gurus, so hopefully it's ok to post this here.
I inherited a project at work that involves data recorders, each powered by 4x D-cell NiMH 1.2V batteries. We're talking 500+ batteries. The lab has literally bins full of three types of D-cell batteries:
IMEDION 9500 mAh
POWEREX 11000 mAh
POWEREX 9000 mAh
Some have been used in the field before, some are new. Batteries used in the field have spent at minimum 2-3 months, sometimes cumulatively 8-12 months (I'm not sure) in weatherproof enclosures exposed to typical southeastern US conditions (heat and humidity). The recorders stay in standby mode for days or weeks, then activate for short periods over 60 days.
I have some questions about maintaining this rather pricey stock of batteries. The previous guy left before I started, and any way, I want to implement best practices for storage and maintenance so these batteries continue to perform properly in the field. If I need to buy new batteries, or new testing/charging equipment, that can probably be worked out.
Testing:
We have a ZTS Pulse Load Multi-Battery Tester MBT-1. It seems to work ok, but would a fluke meter be a better option? (I admit, I kind of just want a fluke to have around, but only if I have a legit need). The MBT-1 gives a 10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, (>80%) reading, but I'd like to know if the batteries are charging properly and anticipate failures, so I can take them out of rotation. I'd rather toss a semi-questionable battery than risk a failure in the field.
Some of the batteries have brown discoloration of the paper tops, which I am assuming is chemicals leaking from the battery. I think those should be disposed of, correct?
Charging:
We have several Maha PowerEx MH-C808M Charger for Eight AA/AAA/C/D NiMH/NiCD Batteries. I need to find a manual to understand the soft vs rapid charging modes. Also, I'd like to know if it's ok to charge the various mAh batteries mixed up on the charger or if I should only charge like-batteries.
Should I do some sort of topping off between deployments? They'll come back to me drained in, say, April. Then they won't be needed again until December or January. Should I recharge in April, then top them off in Dec? What's best practice?
Deployment:
Each recorder takes four batteries. I'm assuming they ought to be charged to the same level (they'd all be topped off). Can I mix batteries in devices, or should I stick to all four being the same type in any given recorder?
Storage:
Some of the batteries are stored on their ends in heavy plastic trays, while many others are dumped into bins. The latter gives me the heebie-jeebies, and makes me worry about fire hazards. I plan to - at the very least - have them all stacked up on end so they can't touch the neighbor's terminals. Should I be worried about venting gas during storage or charging, or is that just Lithium chemistry batteries?
I think that's enough questions for now. I appreciate y'all taking the time to read through and help me out.