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Can you charge lithium batteries with a NiCD charger?

Jul. 06, 2022
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Can you charge lithium batteries with a NiCD charger


We are witnessing a new wave of battery technology worldwide. With this comes an increase in battery-powered vehicles and devices. In this regard, lithium and NiCd batteries are the best on the market. 

A great battery can make your life quite easy and give you ample power to run your devices for years. 

However, without a good charger, your battery may run out faster than you expect. Unfortunately, the biggest threat to battery life is how the user charges it. 

Without proper research, you could end up buying bad charges. The good news is that there are a variety of options for you to choose from. Read on to learn more. 

 

What do I need to be aware of when charging? 

 

0. Amperage

Many users believe that all chargers are created equally. This is not the case. When you think along these lines, you may not be able to focus on the most important features of a good charger. 

You don't need to charge your phone using only the charger that comes with it. You can choose the right charger based on amperage (a measure of current). If you do it right, then sitting down until your device is fully charged before unplugging it and then continuing your day while the charging continues may be the difference. 

Check the amperage of the charger you purchased. Since lithium and nickel CD batteries are nearly equal in power, you can or instances charge your phone using a high amperage charge made for tablets. 

For example, consider charging a Retina iPad mini. In this case, the illuminated connector that plugs into the computer via USB provides excellent charging. Or, you can still connect to an iPhone charger connected to a wall outlet and the results will still be great. 

Technically speaking, PC USB chargers provide you with no more than 5 watts of power. On the other hand, the Retina iPad mini charger has doubled its output. 

In short, a USB charger connected to a computer will charge the iPad four times slower. But iPad charging will work faster on the iPhone. Please note that none of these chargers will affect your device. 

Amperage indicates how fast or how quickly the charger will power your device. If you need your charger to charge faster, pay close attention to this factor. Therefore, the charging speed of your device must be one of the most important things that you should keep in mind. 

 

1. Temperature

Rising temperatures pose a threat not only to the life of the battery, but to you as well. This is the number one reason why batteries expand and even burst into flames. 

Many experts recommend that you keep your battery charging equipment in a fireproof container. You can continue other activities without worry. 

Unfortunately, lithium batteries are susceptible to explosions. They may be the most advanced in battery chemistry, but this factor should be a serious concern. 

Overheating is usually the result of a poor charger or environment. Therefore, it is important to make sure they are in a cool, dry environment with the correct charger. 

 

2. Types of chargers

There are many types of chargers in the world today. Some have computerized features, while the common ones do not have any special features. Some chargers are suitable for specific batteries. Although lithium batteries are not particularly sensitive to the type of charge, it is still important to check the settings. 

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3. Voltage

Batteries and battery packs are designed with specific voltages. There are three important measures of voltage to consider.

-Rated voltage. You can call this the safety voltage of the battery. It is neither high nor low and is used by manufacturers when comparing products. 

-Full charge voltage. This is the parameter that you need to be keen on during charging. This is the specified maximum voltage that the battery should reach. Experts believe that charging above this voltage can affect the battery's ability to hold a charge (life). 

-Discharge voltage. This is the lowest level that your battery's charge can reach. It is important to be aware of this because if you charge a deeply discharged lithium battery, you are risking your life. 

4. Normal charging

Battery packs, especially for electric vehicles, need to be recharged in a timely manner. For example, a battery that has not been used for more than two months should be fully charged before use. 

Besides that, please consider the correct charging method: first connect the charger to the battery pack and then to the power supply. Check the red light indicator that shows normal charging, if you do not see this message, disconnect. 

 

Are there any batteries available for the charger? 

In most cases, the charger is supplied with the device. iPad or smartphone will come with the specified charger. 

Also, some chargers are designed for specific battery types. For example, you can get chargers made for lithium battery packs that cannot be used for any other battery type. 

The good news is that there is a wide variety of chargers on the market that can be easily accessed through online channels. You'll never run out of ways to find the right one for your battery. While most chargers can be used with different batteries, it is best to choose a battery that meets the specifications. 

 

Can you use a NiCd charger to charge lithium batteries? 

As mentioned above, there is a charger for each battery type. Many users ask if they can use a NiMH battery charger. 

The simplest answer is, stay away from the charger! There are many examples on the Internet of lithium batteries catching fire and burning down houses due to improper charger use. 

NiCD chargers are designed to push 1.2-1.4V to charge the battery. On the other hand, you need a charger that can push a 3.6-4.6V LiPo battery. This means that using a NiCD charger will only end up discharging the battery. 

 

To summarize.

-The charger does not work properly.

-It may destroy your Li-ion battery by deep discharging it. In this case, restoring it would be a dangerous thing to do. 

-If you must use it, make sure you have comprehensive home/property insurance. Otherwise