Storing NiCd Batteries
- 1). Put the NiCd batteries you want to store in your charging unit. Turn on your charger and let them charge until the charger indicates they're full.
- 2). Turn off the charger and remove the NiCd batteries. Let the batteries cool for about 15 minutes.
- 3). Put the NiCd batteries into the device they power. Turn on the device and let it operate. Periodically check the battery charge display on the electrical device, if it has one. Items like cameras and cell phones all have a battery charge display but some motorized items may not. If your device doesn't, then attempt to remember how long you can usually operate your device before the battery needs recharging and divide the time by two.
- 4). Turn off your device when the battery charge meter is just above half full. If your device doesn't have a meter then turn it off about halfway through the time you estimate it usually operates for.
- 5). Remove the batteries from the device. Check the voltage using a voltmeter. The ideal way to store NiCd batteries is when they are 50 percent discharged.
- 6). Put the prongs on the ends of the two wires from the voltmeter onto the two terminals of the first NiCd battery you need to check before storing. The red wire goes to the "+" terminal and the black to the "-" terminal.
- 7). Read the meter. It says 1.0 volt if it's 50 percent discharged.The original voltage from a NiCd battery when charged is 1.2 volts. If it still reads 1.2 volts, you need to discharge it further and test it again. If it's lower than about 0.9 volts, it's best to recharge it for a few minutes and test it again.
- 8). Use the voltmeter to test any other NiCad batteries you need to store. Use the same method and try to get them equally discharged to 50 percent.
- 9). Place your NiCd batteries in a cool dark place, below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure the place is dry and won't get damp.
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