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Sharing
battery knowledge (BU1)
It is my pleasure bringing to you Battery
University, the institution for Learning the basics about batteries. In each of
the short commentaries you will read about the best battery choices, new battery
technologies and ways to make your batteries last longer. Practical, down-to-earth
battery information is sometimes hard to find. Battery manufacturers are often
too optimistic with their promises and only emphasize positive features.
I have a background in radio communications and studied the behavior of rechargeable
batteries in practical, everyday applications for several decades. In desiring
to share this battery knowledge with you; I wrote several articles addressing
the strength and limitations of the battery. These articles have been published
in various trade magazines in the USA, Canada and Europe. I later compiled the
material and wrote my first book entitled Batteries in a Portable World - A Handbook
on Rechargeable Batteries for Non-Engineers. The 88-page first edition
appeared in 1997 and covered such topics as the memory effect of nickel-cadmium
batteries and how to restore them. Some readers commented that I favored nickel-cadmium
over nickel-metal-hydride. Perhaps this observation is valid and I have taken
note. Having been active in the mobile radio industry for many years, much emphasis
is placed on battery longevity, a quality that is true of nickel-cadmium. Today's
battery users prefer small size and want maximum runtime. Longevity may be less
important, especially in the fast-moving consumer market. The second
edition of Batteries in a Portable World was published in 2001. With 18 Chapters
and 300 pages, this book has been extended to include new battery technologies
and various field applications. In May 2001, the Battery Information Website
www.buchmann.ca was launched, making the contents of the book available to the
world at large. Battery articles have been added to complement the book and serve
readers of non-English languages. A search engine was installed to help you find
topics of interest. The Battery Information Website is sponsored by Cadex Electronics
Inc., the manufacturer of advanced battery analyzers chargers and PC software.
Out of sheer curiosity, I conducted a statistical analysis at the end of
the year to find out which battery topics in the book are being requested most
often. The winners are: Number 1. Getting the Most from your Batteries
Chapter 10 Number 2. Proper Charge Methods Chapter 4 Number 3. Internal
Battery Resistance Chapter 9 Number 4. Choosing the Right Battery Chapter
8 Number 5. The 'Smart' Battery Chapter 7 Getting
the Most from your Batteries has consistently been first choice. People want to
know how to care for their batteries to get maximum runtime and dependable service.
Proper Charge Methods is also very much in the hearts of the battery users. A
surprise was Internal Battery Resistance in third position. This subject is of
growing concern with digital equipment that puts high demands on the battery.
A seemingly good battery often fails to deliver the heavy current bursts because
of elevated internal resistance caused by aging batteries. Battery University
is based on the book Batteries in a Portable World and will address such issues
as the choice of battery chemistries, physical battery packs, charge and discharge
methods, runtime concerns, the 'smart' battery, internal battery resistance, getting
the most of your batteries and much more. Batteries in a Portable World
is written for the non-engineer. It addresses the use of the battery in the hands
of the general public, far removed from protected lab environments of the manufacturer.
Some information contained in this book was obtained through tests performed in
Cadex laboratories; other knowledge was gathered by simply talking to diverse
groups of battery users. Not all views and opinions expressed in the book are
based on scientific facts. Rather, they follow opinions of the general public,
who use batteries. Some difference of opinion with the reader cannot be avoided.
I am prepared to accept the blame for any discrepancies. The book is available
from www.buchmann.ca at $29.50US I would like to hear your comments on Battery
University. After all, battery technology is not black and white but has many
shades of gray. I hope you will find these lessons interesting and helpful.
_________________________ Created: April 2003, Last edited:
July 2003
About the Author Isidor Buchmann is the founder and CEO of Cadex Electronics
Inc., in Vancouver BC. Mr. Buchmann has a background in radio communications and
has studied the behavior of rechargeable batteries in practical, everyday applications
for two decades. Award winning author of many articles and books on batteries,
Mr. Buchmann has delivered technical papers around the world. Cadex Electronics
is a manufacturer of advanced battery chargers, battery analyzers and PC software.
For product information please visit www.cadex.com.
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©
Copyright 2003 - 2005 Isidor Buchmann
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