Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!know!samsung!dali.cs.montana.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!ucsd!ucbvax!hplabs!hpfcso!hpfcdj!myers
From: myers@hpfcdj.HP.COM (Bob Myers)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: NiCad "Deep Discharger"
Message-ID: <17660077@hpfcdj.HP.COM>
Date: 25 Jun 90 18:49:40 GMT
References: <1990Jun15.154259.2666@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Organization: Hewlett Packard -- Fort Collins, CO
Lines: 22

>How bad?  Are these the battery packs typically used for cordless
>drills and charging flashlights?  I've got a flashlight which came with
>instructions to discharge completely to avoid a memory effect, which
>sounds like the NiCd effect being discussed.  The instructions had no
>warning against complete discharge.  They also did not avoid constant
>charging -- the trickle charger is obviously intended to store the
>flashlight whenever it's not being used.

Most of the rechargeable flashlights I've come across use cylindrical lead-acid
"gel-cells", presumably because they're expected to be left plugged in (and
so, trickle-charging) basically "forever" - something a lead-acid's good at.
I'd be surprised if anything but a small pocket rechargeable light was using
NiCds - but then, I've been surprised before, too! :-)  However, don't
forget that there are a lot of people out there writing instruction sheets,
and there's no reason to expect them to be completely current on battery
technology.  Hence the mention of "memory."



Bob Myers  KC0EW   HP Graphics Tech. Div.|  Opinions expressed here are not
                   Ft. Collins, Colorado |  those of my employer or any other
myers%hpfcla@hplabs.hp.com               |  sentient life-form on this planet.