AA or AAA finger-type batteries are often used as batteries for various modern portable electronic devices. They belong to the so-called. galvanic cells and are actually a disposable device that must be disposed of after the charge is depleted.
However, if the need arises, the battery life can be extended with a few simple tricks. Their essence is to "cheer up" a discharged battery without disassembling it and to more fully use the charge initially present in it.
Household methods are divided into three main groups according to the type of "cheering" used:
- electric;
- mechanical;
- thermal.
The choice of a particular technique depends on a number of factors, including experience, personal preference and the availability of auxiliary components.
Recharging the battery
The essence of restoring the performance of a galvanic cell through its recharging is based on passing an electric current through it. At home, this can be done in two different ways.
In the first case, recharging is based on the fact that small-sized finger batteries have a standardized form factor. This feature allows you to install conventional AA batteries into the slots of the corresponding chargers, Figure 1. During installation, the polarity is additionally monitored.
The charge level is checked by the voltage between the poles (without load it slightly exceeds 1.6 V) or by the indicator that some sources are equipped with.
Instead of a standard battery charging, which is not available in all cases, you can use an unnecessary source to recharge your gadgets. They cut off the plug and strip the free ends of the wires to which the battery is connected, for example, as shown in Figure 2.
Due to the higher voltage of the source, it is necessary to constantly monitor the temperature of the battery. After heating it to about 50 ° C, stop charging and cool the element in the freezer to room temperature. The cycle is repeated several times until the required voltage is reached.
The charging method is usually applicable no more than three times.
Recharging is applicable only to alkaline batteries, salt sources under the influence of the charging current begin to flow and not only fail themselves, but can also damage the charger.
Compression method
This technique is based on the fact that the batteries have a tin case, which is relatively easy to deform even with minor external influences. When the case is mechanically deformed, its contents are slightly mixed, the previously unused parts enter into a chemical reaction and the battery is capable of delivering current.
The compression itself will be performed:
- tapping, Figure 3;
- throwing on a hard surface;
- by the action of pliers, Figure 4.
Reception is applicable once, the capacity is restored by 50 - 80% of the original.
Heating method
Initially, the charge available in the battery can be used more fully if the discharged cell is exposed to a temperature of several tens of degrees. For this, the battery is taken with tweezers or pliers and placed under a stream of hot water from the water supply. The second more risky option is based on heating a mug or saucepan with water on a stove to about 80 ° C (or until it boils, after which it is cooled for a couple of minutes). Then a reanimated battery is placed in the container, which must completely cover it for uniform heating.
In both cases, the battery is heated for a maximum of 20 to 30 seconds. After cooling in air, heating can be repeated two to three times.