Charging Laptop (and other)batteries

From: Joe <rigdonj_at_intellistar.net>
Date: Sun Apr 8 11:18:19 2001

At 01:25 PM 4/7/01 -0400, you wrote:
> Thanks Joe and Tony. A further question is that some of the laptop batteries
>have double positive and negative connection plates. Where these just to
>ensure a good connection or are they actually 2 separate circuits. e.g.
>2 6v in a 12 v pack ?

   The ones that I've seen have both - or both + terminals tied directly
together or else through a thermal switch. I've never seen another
arrangement but that's not to say that they couldn't do it. The only way
to be sure would be to open the pack and check it.

   Joe


>
>larry
>
>> At 10:36 PM 4/5/01 -0400, larry wrote:
>> > This is likely elementary but many times I run across the encased laptop
>> >and other function(eg cordless drills) batteries. Of course each has it's
>> own proprietory
>> >charger which have long since disappeared and are costly to replace as
>> well as being
>> >device and company specific . Many of them have a 3rd terminal. What was
>> it's
>> >purpose.
>> > Can you recharge these batteries simply by rigging up an interface using
>> appropriate
>> >voltages and polarity ? How would you deal with the 3rd terminal ?
>> >
>> >
>>
>> Larry,
>>
>> I'm assuming that your talking about NiCad batteries. If so, the third
>> terminal is usually connected back to the * battery terminal via a thermal
>> switch. The third terminal is used to recharge the batteries at a high
>> current rate (Quick Charge). The thermal switch has to be in the circuit to
>> prevent the batteries over heating and being damaged by the high
current. You
>> can go ahead charge the batteries at a normal 1/10 C (or lower) rate via
the
>> third terminal or the normal * terminal. The batteries will also last a lot
>> longer if they're charged at 1/10 C instead "Quick Charged". The charge
voltage
>> isn't critical in NiCads but the charging current is important.
>>
>> Joe
>>
>>
>
>
>
>Reply to:
>lgwalker_at_look.ca
>
Received on Sun Apr 08 2001 - 11:18:19 BST