Justin Richards <justin.richards <at> gmail.com> writes:

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> Batteries, particularly Duracell are not cheap.
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> I have several 6V Duracell batteries in storage that I use rarely and was
> just curious if their shelf life could be improved with a very light floa=
t
> charge to help combat the self discharge.
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> A quick search seems to offer keeping in them in the fridge as one method=
..
> On face value this appears to a valid offering.
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> Perhaps an experiment is in order ... measure the current surface voltage
> and and set an adjustable voltage supply at that value and connect.
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> I have 4 so perhaps I could float 2 and leave the others alone.
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> Thoughts?
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> Justin
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One of the problems with charging non-rechargeable batteries is internal ga=
s
build up, followed by a sudden release (aka explosion). Some batteries do
allow a limited, one time recharge.  I would use it only as last resort. =20

Storage in refrigerator does help.  All chemical reactions slow at lower
temperature.  Rule-of-thumb (tm) is 2-fold decrease in reaction rate for
each 10 degrees (C).  This, of course, depends on the type and activation
energy of the chemical reaction.

Sergey Dryga




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