Li-Ion Rechargeable? Debate Is Over

Habits

We use batteries. We throw them into recycle bin. We buy new ones. We never really think about HOW much of a waste this process really is. Wastes in terms of money. AND in terms of the environment.

Recycle or Reduced Cycle?

People talk about "battery recycling" . But how much of the battery materials are recycled? By what means?

The best way to think of recycling or environment protection should be conservation. Conserve the amount of resources that go into making a product. Then get the most useful life out of it. Build products that LAST a long time, at realistic cost.

One AppTORRENT rechargeable li-ion battery can be used hundreds of times like new. Save money AND save the environment!

The short answer is Yes. Rechargeable batteries don’t only let you save money in the long run, they’re also more sustainable than disposable ones. They cost more initially, but you end up saving a lot more since you don’t have to replace them for a long time.

If you’re a big fan of electronics, you know how frustrating it can be to use disposable batteries. You’re always changing batteries – not to mention spending a lot of money. AmpTorrent’s battery has an impressively high charge capacity and ability to hold power consistently during extended storage periods. With our batteries, you usually don’t need another set for five years.

The upfront cost of a rechargeable battery may seem a little high, but in the long run, the charger and any battery you buy will pay for itself quickly. Instead of buying a new battery every time the power tool stops working, it is better to put the dead battery in the charger for a few hours to get a new set of batteries, which can be reused. Is cycling better for your wallet and the environment?

Conventional primary batteries like Alkaline or NiHM operate as chemical cells with an I-V curve that fluctuates based on two key factors:

1. The load applied

2. Stage of usage,

With fresh cells yielding higher voltage. However, these batteries tend to lose power over time, necessitating replacement despite incomplete usage.

In contrast, the AmpTORRENT™ battery represents a revolutionary departure. Each unit functions as a voltage-regulated power source, maintaining consistent output voltage irrespective of load conditions or charge status. This innovation ensures a consistently "fresh" performance until the battery is fully depleted.

This unparalleled performance is made possible by integrating highly efficient DC-DC converters within each battery, enabling precise regulation of output voltages—for instance, 1.5V for AA and AAA sizes—that remains stable even under loads of up to 3 Amps.

Demystify the Jargon and Buzzwords

Rechargeable batteries are pretty simple devices, but there is a lot of jargon surrounding them. Here’s our guide to the things you need to know to make an informed choice.

NiMH: Nickel Metal Hydride

The chemistry inside the battery that stores the electrical charge. One side of the battery is made of Nickel Oxide Hydroxide, and the other is made of an alloy of several rare earth metals. When the battery is charged, the Nickel Oxide Hydroxide gives up a Hydrogen ion, which is absorbed by the alloy. When the battery is used, this is reversed, creating a flow of electric charge out of the battery. Charger: The device that controls the flow of charge into a battery. You should never use a NiMH battery (like the ones in this guide) with a non-NiMH charger, as this can damage them.

LSD: Low Self Discharge All batteries lose a certain amount of charge over time, even when they are not connected to anything. This is called a self-discharge. Typically, a NiMH battery will lose up to half its charge if stored for a year. Some batteries minimize this by adding extra insulation inside the battery.

mAh: milliamp-hours A measure of the amount of charge that can be stored in a battery. 1 mAh is a flow of one milliamp over an hour, so a 2000 mAh battery can deliver 2000 milliamps (or 2.0 Amps) for one hour, or 200 milliamps for 10 hours.

Cycles or Recharge Life: Each full charge and discharge is one battery cycle. All batteries lose capacity when used, meaning that they can store a little less charge with each cycle. Manufacturers offer a cycle life, a number of cycles that the battery can go through before it loses a certain amount of its capacity. This is defined in a standard called IEC 61951-2.

Other Sizes and Adapters: We focused on rechargeable AA/AAAbatteries for this guide as they are, by far, the most commonly used battery size. They can also be used to power devices that require C- and D-size batteries too. All you have to do is pop them into an appropriately-sized adapter, and you’re in business.