[Icom] Nicads

[Don Schaefer]

I have been a big battery user for many years.  My experience showed me
that if a NiCad was not taken all the way down, it would set a memory.  I
used them in laser pointers, wireless mics, scanners, FRS radios,  UHF &
VHF two way radios, to give you a idea of service.   I found that if my
tech's replaced the batteries after every use, we had bad memory
problems.  We were able to run these batteries through and exerciser and
in some cases restore them.    With cost always being a consideration, we
went after a suggestion from Mel Hammer of Rayovac company, to use the
rechargeable alkaline batteries.  These worked well with equipment that
had the same time usage every day.  And they like to be charged often, so
we had three sets of batteries for each unit of use.  One for operations,
one for replacement, and one set in the chargers at all times.  This saved
a ton of money for us.  But now we have gone into using the NiMh batteries
and love them to death.  they have no memory, last much longer in-between
charges and so far we have found to problems in any of our usage.  We also
find the cost savings to be great.

I hope this helps a little.

Don Schaefer
Communication Specialists
Spring, Texas

"Jerry W. O'Dell" wrote:

> Me head swims. QST recently seemed to say that NiCads have
> memory only in certain rare situations. The GE battery manual
> for years said that there is simply no such thing, unless you
> try very hard to induce it.
>
> Yet, scanning the web, I find post after post about memory.
>
> If anyone really knows whether this is the case, please email
> me at jwodell@provide.net. I don't want to clutter up the list
> with something that is an emotional issue for so many people.
>
> Personally, I think that the confounded things just die after 3 years,
> and that is that.
>
> 73 jerry w8gnd
>
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