Rechargeable alkaline battery

Rechargeable alkaline battery is a type of alkaline battery that is rechargeable. The first generation rechargeable alkaline technology was developed by Battery Technologies Inc in Canada and licensed to Pure Energy, Rayovac and Grandcell. Subsequent patent and advancements in technology have been introduced. The shapes include AAA, AA, C, D and snap-on 9-volt batteries. Rechargeable alkaline batteries have the ability to carry their charge for years, unlike NiCd and NiMH batteries which self-discharge in 90 days. If produced properly, rechargeable alkaline batteries are an environmentally friendly form of energy storage.

Chemical Composition

They are chemically the same as regular alkaline batteriesFact|date=August 2007. The main difference in composition between rechargeable and regular alkaline is that the blend of materials and formula used to make the batteries has been altered to allow for the batteries to recharge. Without this modification in chemical composition, the batteries would not hold multiple charges

Proper Use and Durability

Although these batteries can be used in any device that supports a standard size (AA, AAA, C, D, etc.) they are formulated to last longest in periodical use items. This type of battery is best suited for use in low-drain devices such as remote controls, or for devices that are used periodically such as flashlights, television remotes, portable radios, etc.

Disadvantages From Other Rechargeable Batteries

Recharging Issues

Though they are relatively cheap and contain a high charge-capacity rechargeable alkaline batteries have some disadvantages:

* Full chargeable capacity is maintained for hundreds of cycles, only after the battery has been less than 25% discharged, at about 1.42V.

* Almost full chargeable capacity is maintained only for a few dozen recharging-cycles, only after the battery has been less than half discharged, at about 1.32V.

* After a 'Deep Discharge' they can be brought to their original high-capacity charge only after a few charge-discharge cycles.

Environmental Issues

Some types of cells contain Nickel, mercury or cadmium and thus are a serious environment-hazard unless special care is taken for their disposal. As of August 2007 a number of companies make batteries that are non-toxic and free from heavy metals.
*Rayovac produced a variety of these rechargeable batteries called Renewal [http://www.rayovac.com] . Rayovac discontinued these products, possibly due corporate strategy and superior profit from single use batteries. Similar rechargeable alkaline batteries are still available from other vendors. More recently, Rayovac has released a new line of rechargeable NiMH batteries, but from the information listed on their website, they no longer produce an alkaline rechargeable battery.

*Some say that certain types of battery chargers are able to recharge alkaline batteries as well as NiCd and NiMH, provided that the charger only has one type in it at any one time. Pure Energy [http://www.pureenergybattery.com/] currently does sell a NiMH and Alkaline dual chemistry charger that does work well for both battery types. Some claim that it is indeed possible to recharge a regular non-rechargeable alkaline battery under the right conditions and using the right type of current; this is still dangerous. There is a charger available called the Battery Xtender [http://www.batteryxtender.com/] , which is specially designed to recharge ordinary alkaline batteries, in addition to NiCd and NiMH. Under ideal conditions it's supposed to recharge regular alkalines up to 10 or 15 times, though in practice five recharges is more common (after which they start to leak).Fact|date=May 2007

ee also

*Battery recycling
*Recharging alkaline batteries