Tips Wiki How to Dispose of Batteries

From Heli-Wiki

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also include how you know your batteries are dying, and how long they last.

There are 4 main types of rechargeable batteries; nickel metal hydride (NiMH), nickel metal cadmium (NiCD), lead acid (like car and field batteries) and various sorts of lithium based batteries (Lithium Ion - Li-Ion, Lithium Polymer - lipo, Lithium Iron - Li-Fe). Batteries have what is called a nominal voltage. Think of this more as an average, or middle voltage for the battery. Each battery is 1 cell, and there are usually more than one cell makes up a pack.

Lead Acid Batteries

This is one of the oldest types of batteries around, but still has alot of use today. The main reasons are that this battery is very robust and can stand up to alot of abuse and still work. The

NiCD - Nickel Cadmium

lipo - Lithium Polymer

Before you recycle your packs, you can drain your packs down to 0 volts (to make sure that it doesn't short and cause a safety issue for someone down the line), and cut the connectors off of them so you can use them later.

NiMh, NiCD, and lead acid need to be taken to a recycler because they are toxic to humans and animal life (especially lead acid and NiCD). You can drop it off at your local radio shack for free, or any other place that sells rechargeable batteries is required by law (in most places) to take them back and recycle them (usually at no charge).

Lithium batteries - what you want to do is hook up a load, like a light bulb or a motor, and discharge the cell to 0 volts. Cut a slit in each cell with a razor blade and put the pack in a high concentration of salt water for about 24 hours. This will dissolve most of the battery. Take the pack out and wrap it in a plastic bag and throw it in the regular solid waste.

you can also see http://manuals.hobbico.com/gpm/gpmp0800-0831-manual-v1_2.pdf for reference.

mrasmm

PS feel free to PM me either on RCU or RCgroups if you have any questions or comments

For more info visit The Battery University