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14-1
W106 Rev 1.5
X20 Console Manual
Nickel-Metal Hydride
Battery Characteristics
All batteries are affected by self-discharge. This is not a defect per se,
although improper use enhances the condition. Self-discharge is not
linear; the highest loss occurs right after charge, and then tapers off.
Nickel-based batteries exhibit a relatively high self-discharge. At
ambient temperature, a new nickel-cadmium loses about 10% of its
capacity in the first 24 hours after charge. The self-discharge settles
to about 10% per month afterwards. Higher temperature increases the
self-discharge substantially. As a general guideline, the rate of self-
discharge doubles with every 10°C (18°F) increase in temperature. The
self-discharge of nickel-metal-hydride is about 30% higher than that of
nickel-cadmium.
The success of nickel-metal hydride has been driven by high energy
density and the use of environmentally friendly metals. The modern
nickel-metal hydride offers up to 40% higher energy density compared
to the standard nickel-cadmium. There is potential for yet higher
capacities, but not without some negative side effects.
Nickel-metal hydride is less durable than nickel-cadmium.
Nickel-metal hydride suffers from high self-discharge, which is higher
than that of nickel-cadmium.
CAUTION
Cycling under heavy load and storage at high
temperature reduces the service life of the battery.
CAUTION