Nickel- and lithium-based batteries require different charge algorithms. A NiMH charger can also charge NiCd; a NiCd charger would overcharge NiMH. Do not leave a nickel-based battery in the charger for more than a few days. If possible, remove the packs and apply a brief charge before use..
Similarly one may ask, are NiCd and NiMH batteries interchangeable?
To some degree, Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) is interchangeable with Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) — with caveats. The issues related to replacing NiCd with NiMH are the charge methods, the discharge characteristics (specifically rate capability) and then the effect of both on cycle life.
Beside above, how do you charge a NiCad battery? Charging Flooded Nickel-cadmium Batteries Flooded NiCd is charged with a constant current to about 1.55V/cell. The current is then reduced to 0.1C and the charge continues until 1.55V/cell is reached again. At this point, a trickle charge is applied and the voltage is allowed to float freely.
Hereof, can a NiCad charger charge lithium ion batteries?
NiCad and NiMH batteries are amongst the hardest batteries to charge. Whereas with lithium ion and lead acid batteries you can control overcharge by just setting a maximum charge voltage, the nickel based batteries don't have a "float charge" voltage. So the charging is based on forcing current through the battery.
Can you use the same charger for NiCd and NiMH batteries?
Nickel- and lithium-based batteries require different charge algorithms. A NiMH charger can also charge NiCd; a NiCd charger would overcharge NiMH. Do not leave a nickel-based battery in the charger for more than a few days. If possible, remove the packs and apply a brief charge before use.
Related Question Answers
What battery is better NiCd or NiMH?
For most electronic devices it is better to use NiMH batteries than NiCd batteries. NiCd batteries use Cadmium, a highly toxic heavy metal, that can damage the environment if not disposed of properly. NiMH batteries usually have a higher capacity than NiCd batteries of the same size.What is the best charge rate for NiMH batteries?
While NiCd batteries may be trickle charged at a rate of around 0.1C, this is considered too high for NiMH batteries and it is generally accepted that for most NiMH batteries trickle charging should be accomplished at a rate of about 0.05C.How do you tell if a battery is NiMH or NiCd?
If the cell is good, you should know, by the capacity and size of the cell, what the chemistry of the cell is. If the batteries have a covering on them and it's green, then it's NiMH. Unless it's a Sanyo or Panasonic industrial NiCd cus a lot of them had green wrappers too .Do NiMH batteries need to be fully discharged before charging?
Do NiMH batteries need to be completely discharged before charging? No, NiMH batteries do not have a memory. They can be charged without adverse effect at any point regardless of their state of charge.How many amps should I charge my NiMH battery?
High performance battery chargers with a minimum charge rate of 4 to 5 amps are required to completely charge some of today's high-capacity (3000 - 5000 mah) NiCad and NiMH batteries in one cycle.How many times can NiMH batteries be recharged?
Q: How many times can a NiMH battery be recharged? A: Lower capacity rechargeable AA batteries of 1700 up to 2000mAh can be recharged up to 1000 times in overnight slow charge mode, while 2100 to 2400 mAh rechargeable batteries can be recharged up to 600 to 800 times in overnight slow charge mode.Do NiCad batteries go bad?
The shelf life for nicad batteries is 36 months, according to Panasonic, (formerly Sanyo). Our experience is approximately 18 months. While we've seen nicad batteries that last past 18 months, they usually require many charge/discharge cycles to get it to perform at 80% capacity.Do lithium ion batteries need a special charger?
Lithium batteries do not require any form of equalization. Applying an equalization charge of 15v+ to a lithium battery will damage the cells beyond repair. The other function that lead acid chargers have is a “return to bulk” voltage. This voltage for a lithium battery is way too low.Is it OK to leave a lithium ion battery on the charger?
While you're charging it back up, you should also avoid pushing a lithium-ion battery all the way to 100 percent. If you do fill your battery all the way up, don't leave the device plugged in. But in the long term, electronics will age faster if they're constantly plugged in while already charged to 100 percent.Can lithium ion batteries replace NiCad?
The earliest lithium-ion batteries were not backward-compatible with nicad battery tools, but that's changed over time. Due to advances in battery circuitry, however, chargers are not forward-compatible; the charger that came with a nicad tool will not work with lithium-ion batteries.Can I replace NiMH with lithium ion?
In general 1 Li-Ion cell replaces 3 NiMh cells in series, so in theory it should work. The details may be a problem because while there is a self discharge rate associated with NiMh cells, and they can handle some degree of overcharging, Li-Ion cells can't.Are lithium ion batteries better than NiMH?
Li-ion Pros Reliable: These have a significantly lower self-discharge rate than a NiMH battery. Small: They are smaller and lighter compared to NiMH batteries. Higher Voltage Output: A single cell can deliver 3.7v while even two NiMH cells can only give 2.4v.Which is better lithium ion or NiCad?
Typically, Lithium-ion batteries are smaller and lighter than a NiCad battery. Lithium-ion also two to three times more expensive than NiCad. On the other hand, Lithium-ion has virtually no self-discharge. This allows a lithium ion battery to be stored for months without losing charge.What happens if you charge a Lipo battery with a NiMH charger?
In general any charger that can charge lithium ion can charge lithium polymer, assuming that the cell count is correct. You must NEVER charge lithium cells with a NiCad or NiMH only battery charger. This is dangerous. Charging cells is the most hazardous part of using lithium batteries.Are NiMH and lithium batteries the same?
The most obvious difference between Li-ion and NiMH batteries is the material used to store power. Lithium-ion batteries are made of carbon and highly reactive lithium, which can store a lot of energy. Weight: NiMH batteries are larger and heavier than Li-ion batteries.How long do NiCad batteries last?
15 to 20 years
How do you know when NiMH battery is fully charged?
The way the charger knows a NiMh battery is charged is the "delta V" which is the amount the voltage has to drop from any peak for the charger to turn off (or change to trickle). The standard is 3 mV or . 003V but some chargers use a bigger one.How long should you charge rechargeable batteries the first time?
Charge your new battery overnight (14-16 hours) before using it for the first time. This is called “initializing” and will enable you to obtain maximum battery capacity. Let your battery cool to room temperature before recharging. The charge efficiency of most batteries is greatly reduced at elevated temperatures.How long should I charge rechargeable batteries?
Charging Time for Different Types of AA Batteries Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH): Ultra Fast AA/AAA battery chargers take about 4 to 6 hours to simultaneously recharge four batteries. Conventional battery chargers may take 8 to 10 hours to charge two batteries. 
