How To Revive Dead NiCD Batteries (2024)

Batteries are expensive, and as the proud owner of at least a dozen dead AA NiCD batteries I'm too cheap to discard, Indestructibles' latest hack will be the first I am certain to implement: reviving older rechargeables with a short, sharp shock.

According to the author, NiCD batteries fail completely because they're shorted out by "crystal dendrite growth," an accretion that can apparently be blasted away with a quick jolt from a welder attached to a high-voltage source. Car batteries, DC power supplies and charged capacitors will do the trick. Safety first, folks.

The world's moved on to NiMH batteries and Lithium-ion, neither of which suffer as badly from "memory" as Nickel Cadmiums, which are still used by makers of drills, portable vacuum cleaners, wireless phones and the like to create reliable markets for expensive, proprietary-shaped replacement packs. With a little dangerous messing around, now you can end-run the scam. Or blow your fingertips off.

Revive Nicad Batteries by Zapping with a Welder [Tim Anderson @ Indestructables]

How To Revive Dead NiCD Batteries (2024)

FAQs

How To Revive Dead NiCD Batteries? ›

To zap a dead Ni-Cad battery back to life, put the Ni-Cad battery into the 'zapping' battery holder and a good alkaline battery into the battery holder on the camera's circuit. The turn on the charge switch and wait for the neon/LED to glow.

Can NiCd batteries be revived? ›

I've had lots of success in "Reviving" these cells by "Zapping" them with a 7.2-18 Volt Nicad pack for a Half Second or so, which I assume Blows away the internal SHORT, and allows the batter to again accept a charge.

Can NiCd batteries be recharged? ›

NiCd batteries designed for fast charging can be charged with currents that are several times the C-rating without extensive heat buildup. In fact, NiCd is the only battery that can be ultra-fast charged with minimal stress. Cells made for ultra-fast charging can be charged to 70 percent in minutes.

Do nickel cadmium batteries go bad? ›

If treated well, a Ni–Cd battery can last for 1,000 cycles or more before its capacity drops below half its original capacity. Many home chargers claim to be "smart chargers" which will shut down and not damage the battery, but this seems to be a common problem.

How do you rejuvenate a dead NiCad battery? ›

To zap a dead Ni-Cad battery back to life, put the Ni-Cad battery into the 'zapping' battery holder and a good alkaline battery into the battery holder on the camera's circuit. The turn on the charge switch and wait for the neon/LED to glow.

Why are NiCd batteries banned? ›

The reason why NiCad batteries have been banned for consumer use is because they contain the highly toxic cadmium and therefore the batteries are very harmful to the environment. It is therefore very important that these batteries are recycled properly.

Why are my NiCad batteries not holding a charge? ›

Nicad batteries often die in such a way that they won't take a charge and have zero voltage. This usually means they're shorted out by crystal dendrite growth. Here's a method of bringing them back to life by zapping those shorted crystal dendrites away with too much current and/or voltage.

Is it better to store NiCad batteries charged or discharged? ›

Nickel Cadmium (NiCad®) battery: Store in a cool, dry place. The battery should be discharged before storage. If the battery is to be stored longer than a year, it should be fully charged and discharged at least once a year to maintain performance.

How to make dead batteries work again? ›

Charge the battery slowly. Sometimes old batteries just need a recharge to recover capacity. Connect the battery to a trickle charger or charger designed for recharging old batteries. Charge at 1-2 amps for maximum charge retention.

What are the two biggest drawbacks for nickel-cadmium batteries? ›

The two main downsides of Ni-Cd batteries are their high cost and toxicity. Because of this, they have mostly been replaced by nickel–metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries which are cheaper, less toxic and have a higher energy density. From an environmental standpoint, Ni-Cd batteries are a huge problem.

How do you maintain a nickel cadmium battery? ›

Under ideal operating conditions, flooded Ni-Cad batteries should require watering every 6-24 months. Watering intervals are influenced by temperature, charging rates and the number and depth of discharges.

How do you test a nickel cadmium battery? ›

Touch the red multimeter probe to the positive terminal of the battery. Touch the black multimeter probe to the negative terminal of the battery. Look at the multimeter voltage display. The battery isn't suitable for use if the display shows a number 10 percent or less of the rated battery output.

How to rejuvenate NiMH batteries? ›

All you have to do is use one of the naked cables to connect the positive terminal of the fully charged battery to the positive terminal of the lifeless battery and then use the second cable to connect both negative terminals as well. Keep the two batteries connected for three seconds and then disconnect.

Can a completely dead battery be revived? ›

If the battery is dead from poor maintenance, worn-out from too many deep cycles, overcharging, or excessive deep discharging; it probably can't be recovered.”

How do you regenerate a dead battery? ›

You can do this by applying an overcharge to a fully charged battery using a regulated current of around 200mA (milliAmps) for a period of roughly 24 hours. This allows the battery's terminal voltage to rise between 2.50 and 2.66 volts per cell, which helps to dissolve sulfate crystals.

How do I extend the life of my NiCad battery? ›

Here is a few ways to extend the Nicad battery's useful life...
  1. Before you charge the Nicad batteries, they should be fully discharged first then you can charge them. ...
  2. You should never leave the Nicad batteries in the discharged state! ...
  3. Store them in a cool, dry, and non-corrosive place. ...
  4. Use smart chargers.

Is nickel-cadmium battery reversible? ›

The chemical reaction in a nickel-cadmium battery or cell is completely reversible. Advantages: Good performance in high-discharge and low-temperature applications. Long shelf and use life.

What do you do with old NiCad batteries? ›

Waste batteries can always be recycled or taken to household hazardous waste collection points . To prevent fires from lithium-ion batteries, tape battery terminals and/or place batteries in separate plastic bags and never put these batteries in household garbage or recycling bins.

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