Can rechargeable batteries develope a memory

[Recovery Guy]

I was told that a rechargeable battery can develope a memory and not fully charge up ?. I also heard that frezing the batteries can delete the memory so they will charge fully ?.

True or False ?

Myth Busters 101

RG

[DivingsInMyBlood]

You got me.

[FishFood]

Yes, some batteries can do that if you dont fully discharge before recharging. Depends on the type of battery. I can't remember which type of battery did that...

Im not sure about the freezing part. Never heard that. Doesnt mean it's not true.

Divingsinmyblood, why respond just to say you dont know?

EDIT:

After searching google, i believe Nicads had that problem. Are those still even used?

[BobArnold8265]

Yes, rechargeable batteries can develop memories and it's really frustrating when they do !!!

[Illini_Fan]

This was particularly a problem with PC batteries many years ago, but I still believe it applies in general. I seem to remember that the best way to erase the memory is too fully discharge the battery. I know my SLR charger has a "discharge" function to assist with this.

[bversteegh]

NiCads definately have a memory problem. NiMH don't have as pronounced a problem, but it will increase their life to discharge them fully about every 10 recharge cycles.

Storing batteries in the cold decreases the rate of discharge while storing, but don't think it changes the recharge capacity.

[Boris42]

Older rechargeable batteries were NiCad's. They would after a time "learn" how long you were going to need them. That's why you were instructed to run the down before charging them back up. I doubt that the freezer thing will do any good, but it's worth a try.

Most rechargeable batteries today are NiMH and do not have the same problem with memory as the NiCads did. Hope this helped.

Dave

[datamunk]

i think that the whole refrigeration/freeze thing is just to prolong the life, if im not mistaken? as in, stick it in and "thaw it out" later when ya wanna use it

[DivingsInMyBlood]

Cant you add more juice to some batteries by puting them in the oven on low for a few minutes? My friends dad told me that one when i was a kid, is it true? I think it was for normal batteries and not rechargeable.

[bversteegh]

The cold slows down the chemical reaction, heat (moderate) will speed it up. So a battery that isn't fully discharged will probably squeeze out a little more juice - but it will be pretty short lived.