Path: utzoo!telecom-request
Date: 30 Apr 91 07:15:08 PST
From: Javier Henderson - TMS Group <henderson@esvax.hamavnet.com>
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Shaving Ni-Cads (Removing 'Whiskers')
Message-ID: <telecom11.319.7@eecs.nwu.edu>
Organization: Avnet Computer - CTC Group; Culver City, CA
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In article <telecom11.310.1@eecs.nwu.edu>, jta@hydra.jpl.nasa.gov (Jon
T. Adams) writes:

> The only practical way to get rid of these crystalline growths is to
> apply a massive current that will essentially evaporate the crystals.
> The current pulse must be short enough to prevent undue damage to the
> battery yet enough current must be applied to destroy the whiskers.

It should be noted that Nicads can explode if the pulse is too strong
and/or too long. I've seen it happening before, when a friend was
trying to resurrect a few cells, and one went kaboom on him. He knew
of the dangers so he was applying the current to the cells while they
were inside a clear plastic box.


Javier Henderson  Engineering Services  Avnet Computer   Los Angeles, CA
henderson@hamavnet.com  {simpact,asylum,elroy,dhw68k}!hamavnet!henderson