Off topic: rechargeable battery problems
Well, problems with Ni-Cad are understandable, it's the oldest of the three technologies, the most problem-prone, and I don't think still being used by any of the big-name notebook manufacturers. Pretty much everyone has switched to NiMH (nickel metal hydride) for mid-range, and Lithium ion for high end. Both work much better -- more capcity and no (or dramatically fewer) "memory" problems. Downside: the batteries are even MORE expensive.
By the way, if you have a battery that you are going to get rid of anyway, try cutting it open. In almost all instances, with Ni-Cad devices, you will find from four to eight cells that are individually replaceable. I had a Dell NX-20 (the same computer was sold by Zenith) whose $90 battery, when cut opened, was actually four ni-cad "D" cells. I bought heavy duty replacements at radio shack for $20 for all four. Soldering them was a pain, very difficult since they were ordinary flashlight batteries. Better approach, get Sankyo industrial strength heavy duty ni-cad cells with solder tabs (Radio Shack has started selling some of these also), or even pre-welded into the proper configuration. Digi-Key, an electronics distributor, sells these batteries and can pre-weld them if desired. Note: I had anticipated the configuration and opened the battery in such a way as to be able to reuse the case and contacts.
Also fixed a dustbuster and microwave turntable the same way, and replaced a cell phone battery as well.
Barry Watzman |
