Rechargeable alkaline battery
Encyclopedia
Rechargeable alkaline battery (also known as Alkaline Rechargeable or Rechargeable Alkaline Manganese (RAM)) is a type of alkaline battery
that is rechargeable. The first generation rechargeable alkaline technology was developed by Battery Technologies Inc in Canada and licensed to Pure Energy, EnviroCell, Rayovac, and Grandcell. Subsequent patent and advancements in technology have been introduced. The shapes include AAA
, AA
, C
, D
, and snap-on 9-volt batteries. Rechargeable alkaline batteries have the ability to carry their charge for years, unlike most NiCd and NiMH batteries which self-discharge in 90 days (see below **). However, new low self-discharge NiMH
cells, such as Sanyo "Eneloop", claim to retain 90% charge after 1 year. If produced properly, rechargeable alkaline batteries can have a charge/recharge efficiency of as much as 99.9% and be an environmentally-friendly form of energy storage.
s, television remotes, portable radios, etc.
Some types of cells contain mercury
or cadmium
and thus are a serious environment hazard unless special care is taken for their disposal.
, a number of companies make batteries that are non-toxic and free from heavy metals. According to the websites of EnviroCell and PureEnergy and according to old Rayovac packaging, these manufacturers' rechargeable alkaline batteries have no mercury or cadmium.
Alkaline battery
Alkaline batteries are a type of primary batteries dependent upon the reaction between zinc and manganese dioxide . A rechargeable alkaline battery allows reuse of specially designed cells....
that is rechargeable. The first generation rechargeable alkaline technology was developed by Battery Technologies Inc in Canada and licensed to Pure Energy, EnviroCell, Rayovac, and Grandcell. Subsequent patent and advancements in technology have been introduced. The shapes include AAA
AAA battery
A triple A or AAA battery is a standard size of dry cell battery commonly used in portable electronic devices. A carbon-zinc battery in this size is designated by IEC as "R03", by ANSI C18.1 as "24", by old JIS standard as "UM 4", and by other manufacturer and national standard designations that...
, AA
AA battery
An AA battery is a standard size of battery. Batteries of this size are the most commonly used type of in portable electronic devices. An AA battery is composed of a single electrochemical cell...
, C
C battery
The C battery is a standard size of battery typically used in medium-drain applications such as toys and musical instruments.As of 2007, C batteries accounted for 4% of alkaline primary battery sales in the US...
, D
D battery
A D battery is a size of dry cell. A D cell is cylindrical with electrical contacts at each end; the positive end having a nub or bump...
, and snap-on 9-volt batteries. Rechargeable alkaline batteries have the ability to carry their charge for years, unlike most NiCd and NiMH batteries which self-discharge in 90 days (see below **). However, new low self-discharge NiMH
Low self-discharge NiMH battery
The low self-discharge nickel-metal hydride battery was introduced in November 2005. These batteries were developed by Sanyo, who called them "eneloop". Subsequently, other manufacturers also offered LSD NiMH....
cells, such as Sanyo "Eneloop", claim to retain 90% charge after 1 year. If produced properly, rechargeable alkaline batteries can have a charge/recharge efficiency of as much as 99.9% and be an environmentally-friendly form of energy storage.
Proper use and durability
Although these batteries can be used in any device that supports a standard size (AA, AAA, C, D, etc.), they are formulated to last longest in periodical use items. This type of battery is best suited for use in low-drain devices such as remote controls or for devices that are used periodically such as flashlightFlashlight
A flashlight is a hand-held electric-powered light source. Usually the light source is a small incandescent lightbulb or light-emitting diode...
s, television remotes, portable radios, etc.
Recharging issues
Though rechargeable alkaline batteries are relatively cheap and contain a high charge-capacity, their rechargeable capacity will vary by how much they are discharged:- If they are discharged by less than 25%, they can be recharged for hundreds of cycles to about 1.42V.
- If they are discharged by less than 50%, they can be almost-fully recharged for a few dozen cycles, to about 1.32V.
- After a "Deep Discharge", they can be brought to their original high-capacity charge only after a few charge-discharge cycles.
Chemical composition
Rechargeable alkalines are alterations of traditional alkaline batteries. They resist leakage that a recharge would cause, so they can be safely recharged many times.Some types of cells contain mercury
Mercury (element)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
or cadmium
Cadmium
Cadmium is a chemical element with the symbol Cd and atomic number 48. This soft, bluish-white metal is chemically similar to the two other stable metals in group 12, zinc and mercury. Similar to zinc, it prefers oxidation state +2 in most of its compounds and similar to mercury it shows a low...
and thus are a serious environment hazard unless special care is taken for their disposal.
, a number of companies make batteries that are non-toxic and free from heavy metals. According to the websites of EnviroCell and PureEnergy and according to old Rayovac packaging, these manufacturers' rechargeable alkaline batteries have no mercury or cadmium.
Production and supply issues
- RayovacRayovacRayovac is a brand of batteries owned by Spectrum Brands of Madison, Wisconsin, United States.- History :...
produced a variety of these rechargeable batteries called Renewal. Rayovac discontinued these products, possibly due to poor market acceptance and cell leakage problems, or due to corporate strategy and superior profit from single-use batteries. Similar rechargeable alkaline batteries are still available from other vendors. More recently, Rayovac has released a new line of rechargeable NiMH batteries, but from the information listed on their website, they no longer produce an alkaline rechargeable battery. - Another Rechargeable Alkaline battery brand is "PureEnergy". PureEnergy's website states: "Rechargeable Alkaline is the only rechargeable battery that can be used in any application that uses disposable alkaline batteries. It also offers several performance and cost saving advantages over other rechargeable batteries."
- Some say that certain types of battery chargers are able to recharge alkaline batteries as well as NiCd and NiMH, provided that the charger only has one type in it at any one time. PureEnergy currently sells a NiMH and alkaline dual chemistry charger that does work well for both battery types. Some claim that it is indeed possible to recharge a regular non-rechargeable alkaline battery under the right conditions and using the right type of current; however, this is still dangerous. There are chargers available which are specially designed to recharge ordinary alkaline batteries, in addition to NiCd and NiMH. Under ideal conditions, it is supposed to recharge regular alkalines up to 10 or 15 times; although in practice, five recharges is more common (after which, they start to leak). It is also possible to recharge primary alkaline batteries in a rechargeable alkaline charger or even some NiMH/NiCd chargers, but the manufacturers recommend against doing so.