Rechargeable chemical sources of electricity are in great demand among owners of electronic gadgets. Significant power consumption of such devices requires frequent battery replacement.
Nickel-zinc products can be used repeatedly, which saves a lot of money, and also eliminates the need to spend time on the purchase of new batteries. The features of using this type of battery cells will be described in detail in this article.
Content
What is a Nickel Zinc Battery
Nickel-zinc battery is a chemical source of electricity, in which the anode consists of zinc, and the cathode is made of nickel oxide. Potassium hydroxide acts as an electrolyte in cells of this type, in which, to improve the quality of the conductive substance, lithium hydroxide is added.
Nickel zinc batteries were invented more than 100 years ago. During this time, products of this type were operated in various devices, including electric vehicles and military equipment. Now, batteries of this type are most often found in the following sizes:
- AA
- AAA.
- D.
The rechargeable power sources of the listed dimensional standards are great for appliances that use conventional batteries.
The principle of operation and the device Ni-Zn battery
If a NiZn battery is made in the form of a battery, then such a product consists of a housing made of metal. Most of the shell is the negative contact of the power source. For this purpose, a thin layer of nickel oxide is applied to the metal surface.
There is a positive conclusion on one side only. Determining the polarity is not particularly difficult. As a rule, there are corresponding signs on the case. In addition, the positive contact has a slightly convex plane.
In the middle of the cylinder is a capsule with potassium hydroxide, in which there is a zinc rod. This element is directly connected to the positive terminal of the battery.
Between the positive and negative electrodes is a neutral filler. Rechargeable batteries made in a rectangular case have the same characteristics and operating principle.
The above battery design, as well as the presence of active elements, allow the following reactions to be carried out when charging and discharging a nickel-zinc battery:
2Ni (OH) 2 (s) + Zn (OH) 2 (s) <-> 2Ni (OH) 3 (s) + Zn (s)
NiZn Battery Specifications
The main characteristics of nickel zinc batteries are:
- Voltage: 1.6
- Number of charge / discharge cycles: 200 - 300.
- Operating temperature range: from -30˚С to + 40˚С.
The weight and capacity of nickel zinc batteries depends on the size.
What are nickel zinc batteries
The most common models of nickel-zinc batteries are AA batteries. Such devices are compact in size and can be easily removed from an electronic device for recharging.
Other cylindrical sizes are also used to power various devices. All of these qualities are true for such elements, but the duration of the power sources will directly depend on their capacity.
Nickel zinc batteries for powering electrical machines are significantly different from batteries.Given the fact that the connection to the electrical system is carried out by means of threaded terminals, such products do not need to be manufactured in the form of an elongated cylinder.
Rectangular batteries are much more stable when driving an electric car, and the body of such products is much stronger than that of household products. It is also not necessary to make a shell of metal, because the electrical conclusions of such products are on the one hand.
Pros and Cons of NiZn Battery
Nickel zinc batteries have both positive qualities and serious flaws. The main advantages of such products are:
- Increased voltage. With equal sizes, batteries of this type are capable of providing a voltage of 0.4 V, higher than that of nickel metal hydride products and 0.1 V more than a conventional battery.
- Excellent discharge current performance. During almost the entire discharge time, nickel-zinc batteries keep the voltage as high as possible.
- Low internal resistance. Due to this quality, a battery of this type can be charged much faster using a current of a higher value.
- Relatively low price. Nickel zinc batteries are significantly cheaper than analogues.
- Lightweight. Due to this quality, the products can be used in various flying toys with remote control.
In addition to these advantages, such products have the following disadvantages:
- A relatively small number of charge / discharge cycles.
- A large number of fakes.
Even products from well-known manufacturers are not always able to withstand more than 300 charge cycles, counterfeit batteries often fail during the first month of operation. Despite the presence of shortcomings, such products are very popular among domestic buyers, due to the low cost.
Chargers and how to charge
In order to charge a nickel-zinc battery, it is enough to purchase a suitable type of charger, install the batteries in the compartment and connect to a 220 V network. Only special devices designed to restore the charge of NiZn cells should be used.
Otherwise, you can get undercharged and reduced battery capacity. The use of devices that are marked NiZn will extend the life of the current source for as long as possible.
Among the most popular memory models for NiZn batteries is the IMAX B6 professional device. Such a device allows not only standard charging, but also battery recovery when the voltage at the battery terminals is reduced even to 0.2 volts.
Where apply
Products can be used in any devices that use batteries of standard sizes, as well as high-capacity batteries for electric vehicles.
It may not be entirely justified to use nickel-zinc batteries in devices that consume a small amount of electricity. Limitations also apply to the use of this type of battery in high voltage sensitive electronic devices.
Rules for storage, operation and disposal
In order for the power source to last as long as possible, it must be properly stored and operated. As for disposal, the substances that make up this type of battery do not cause noticeable damage to the nature and health of people, so they can be disposed of on a common basis.
Before first use, read the instructions on the battery pack. Manufacturers do not recommend storing this type of product in a humid place, or at too low or high temperatures.
During operation, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of a short circuit, and if this is not possible, then install safety elements in the electrical circuit.
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