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From: crs@lanl.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.analog
Subject: Re: an observation,a new angle on batteries
Message-ID: <20511@lanl.ARPA>
Date: Tue, 29-Jan-85 08:09:03 EST
Article-I.D.: lanl.20511
Posted: Tue Jan 29 08:09:03 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 2-Feb-85 13:19:04 EST
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Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
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ischarge *rate*
(amps) rather than depth.  I believe the confusion arises from the
recommendation that a few *deep* discharge/charge cycles be 
to "erase" the cell's memory.  In other words, if a nicad that is
capable of supplying X amps is operated for a significant period
at a load of Y amps where Y is significantly less than X, the
nicad will, subsequently, be unable to supply X amps even though
it is "fully charged".

While it is often recommended that such a nicad be subjected to
several deep discharge/charge cycles to restore it to its original
discharge *rate* specification, care must be exercised in the
case of batteries for the reason mentioned in my first paragraph
(ie possible reverse charge of one or more of the cells).

Charlie Sorsby
...!lanl!crs
crs@lanl.arpa