What are rechargeable batteries?

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What are rechargeable batteries?
By Editor - RechargheableBatteryInfo.com
Nov 3, 2005, 23:13

Unlike single-use batteries, which must be replaced once their charge is used up, rechargeable batteries are designed for the long haul and can be recharged again and again.

Depending on the type of battery, some rechargeable batteries can be recharged up to 1,000 times! Recharging the battery simply reverses the chemical reaction inside it. This changes the battery’s components nearly back to their original state and allows them to be reused once they are recharged.

About 70 percent of rechargeable batteries are currently composed of nickel and metal hydride (known as “Ni-Mh”). Ni-Mh rechargeable batteries are commonly found in cellular and cordless telephones, video cameras, digital cameras, some portable power tools, and laptop computers. The use of these batteries continues to grow.

The sealed nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery is one rechargeable battery system that is responding to these demands by offering significant improvements over conventional rechargeable batteries in terms of performance and environmental friendliness. First introduced to the commercial market in 1988, nickel-metal hydride battery technology is at a very early stage of maturity and manufacturers such as Maha Energy have identified many opportunities to improve battery performance. These improvements will make Maha Powerex nickel-metal hydride batteries an attractive power source for many devices for many years to come.

Many of the operating characteristics of the sealed nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery are similar to those of the sealed nickel-cadmium rechargeable battery. The nickel-metal hydride battery, however, has the advantage of higher energy density (or capacity) which translates into longer service life. In addition, the nickel-metal hydride battery is environmentally friendlier than nickel-cadmium and other rechargeable battery systems because it contains no added cadmium, mercury or lead.

Small sealed lead acid batteries (SSLA) are used in emergency lighting, security and alarm systems, computer backup devices, and hospital equipment. They are also used in cellular phones, laptop computers, and power tools.

Rechargeable batteries may initially be more expensive than single use batteries, and they sometimes require the purchase of a battery recharger, but the upfront costs are often outweighed by the long term cost savings and environmental benefits of rechargeable batteries.

Each rechargeable battery may substituted for hundreds of single-use batteries over its useful life.