Rechargeable batteries & standard batteries

What should be considered when using batteries?

Apart from the correct polarity when inserting them into the respective device and the rule that only rechargeable batteries may be recharged, but not regular batteries, there are generally no special points to note.

Before inserting them, however, you should make sure that they are fully charged or still have enough power if they are not rechargeable batteries. Some device classes already have problems with batteries that are only half full, which can manifest themselves in very different ways. These range from complete failure to less serious glitches that do not immediately point to the battery as the cause.
When inserting the battery, as mentioned, you must ensure that the plus and minus poles are not reversed. You can see which is which on the battery itself. The minus sign indicates the negative pole, the plus sign the positive pole. The direction in which the battery must be inserted is marked on or in the respective device.

When using batteries, the worst-case scenario is that the device does not work. In that case, the battery is either inserted incorrectly or not suitable for the device. Damage generally cannot occur as long as the polarity is observed. However, to prevent batteries from leaking, you should always remove them from the device and store them separately if it will not be used for an extended period. Otherwise, they often tend to leak slowly. Battery acid should not be removed with bare hands.

Which battery is the right one?

Before choosing a suitable battery, you should consider where it will be used. You can find out which type of cell is required in the user manual of the device in question. The required battery type is also usually indicated again inside the device itself.

The batteries in our range can be optimally recharged with our chargers. These allow several rechargeable batteries to be charged at the same time.
In addition to NiMH and NiCd rechargeable batteries, we also offer lithium and lithium‑ion batteries as well as button cells. Products such as the MagLite charger are also enjoying growing popularity. Batteries differ primarily in terms of their size and performance, but also in their charging behavior. These factors should be individually matched to the intended application.

Should you remove batteries/rechargeable batteries from the device when not in use?

Yes. Even in a switched‑off device, a small current can flow, which over time can lead to deep discharge that damages the battery and can even destroy it. But store‑bought batteries can also easily leak if left in an unused device for a long time.

How fast does a battery charge?

This depends on the charger and the design or technology of the accumulator. As a general rule, the higher the charging current, the faster the battery is full. Standard charging takes about 10 to 15 hours. Fast charging is possible in 2 to 3 hours, but the batteries must definitely be suitable for this.

What different types of rechargeable batteries are there and what are the respective advantages and disadvantages?

In addition to the now almost standard nickel–metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries, nickel–cadmium accumulators (NiCd) still have their place from time to time. For example, in cordless phones that are on charge an estimated 95% of the time, NiMH batteries would be significantly worse. NiCd technology tolerates this continuous charging better. The near non-plus-ultra is, of course, lithium-ion or Li-ion technology, which is also used in modern mobile phones and smartphones. This is among the most expensive, but also the most energy-dense type of “power bar”. A minor further development of this technology is LiPo or lithium-polymer technology. In cars and motorcycles, lead–acid batteries are usually used; due to their main task, namely starting vehicles, they are very heavy. When starting, very high loads occur for a short time, which are only possible thanks to a low internal resistance. Lead batteries can roughly be divided into flooded batteries and gel batteries. As somewhat more niche technologies, there are also zinc–carbon cells, also known as dry cells, and silver–zinc cells.