Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!umich!telecom-request From: bruce@camb.com (Barton F. Bruce) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Help Needed With NiCads on my Panasonic Cellular Message-ID: Date: 17 Mar 91 06:45:23 GMT Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Organization: Cambridge Computer Associates, Inc. Lines: 30 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 213, Message 1 of 7 In article , ntg!dplatt@apple.com (Dave Platt) writes: > In article Scott Meyers writes: >> handset just cutting off. I figured something like a light bulb and >> some leads to connect to the battery terminals but that seems crude >> and slow. Any suggestions. Thanks in advance... > What you've suggested is crude and slow ... and, if you're talking > about a typical NiCd battery pack, it can damage the cells. Somewhere I ran into a reference to a special charging circuit that obviates the need for full discharge to prevent shallow discharge memory. This charger also recharged VERY fast from whatever state the battery was in and there was something about high current short pulses and blowing away whiskers. A custom module was needed for each battery size to 'tune' the charger's action properly. It sounded like a wonderful device, but was several hunderd dollars. Some HAM, maybe Pennsylvania area??, was making them. Does anyone know if this sort of charger really works, and if there is a more affordable universal one with built in ability to do any size battery? Perhaps one is now mass produced, and 'hand built' prices can be avoided.