07-23-15, 04:10 AM | #1 |
Lurking Renovator
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Can I use ni-mh batteries in my garden solar lights?
The solar light batteries in my garden are dead. Upon replacing them, I realized they were the old Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries.
I have heard that these batteries are not so good for the environment because they contain toxic chemicals (see Wikipedia). I would like to use Ni-MH batteries instead. Would this be recommended or will slowly charging these batteries using solar panels shorten its life span? |
07-23-15, 08:03 PM | #2 |
Supreme EcoRenovator
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They will work great. Nimh batteries typically have 50 per cent more capacity vs nicd in the same size and do not build up memory as bad as nicd batteries.
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07-24-15, 07:43 PM | #3 |
Less usage=Cheaper bills
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They both accept the overcharging abuse of long sunny days with no charge control equally well. If you were charging them at a high rate with a NiCd charger, they have the potential to overcharge at a high rate, generate a bunch of heat and usually fail quickly. With a slow charge from a solar panel, it's a non-issue.
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