- #1
- 1,532
- 461
I previously posted the below as a footnote on one my posts on the Mechanical Engineering Forum and it was suggested I start this thread on the subject here.
"PS On a general note about battery replacements. On my field GPS I use rechargeable batteries and always test them before recharging; and, through this process I have found that consistently the battery with its + pole connected to the device in any series battery set will lose its charge while the remaining battery(s) will still be good. I have since found this to be true for both standard and rechargeable ++A and +++A batteries. In fact, switching the position of my two GPS batteries at the end of each period of usage extends the field life of the GPS between charges by balancing the amount of charge loss in both batteries. I have no idea why this is the case."
In order to be a bit more specific regarding my testing and the effect:
1. I have not tested for this effect on standard alkaline batteries because I stopped using them years ago because of their relatively short life relative to the alternate lithium batteries and the fact that I have found that unlike alkaline batteries that can leak and damage the equipment after an extended period and/or exposed to extreme heat, I have never experienced any leakage or loss of charge from the lithium version even after being left for years in my vehicle where they experience many days of temperatures at and above 120° in the south Texas area where I live.
2. I have found the same effect in series battery sets regardless of the the number of batteries in the set or the type of service in which they are used.
3. When tested the remaining batteries in the sets show no observable voltage decline after the one noted is fully discharged.
As noted, I have no idea why this effect exists and any relevant feedback will be appreciated
"PS On a general note about battery replacements. On my field GPS I use rechargeable batteries and always test them before recharging; and, through this process I have found that consistently the battery with its + pole connected to the device in any series battery set will lose its charge while the remaining battery(s) will still be good. I have since found this to be true for both standard and rechargeable ++A and +++A batteries. In fact, switching the position of my two GPS batteries at the end of each period of usage extends the field life of the GPS between charges by balancing the amount of charge loss in both batteries. I have no idea why this is the case."
In order to be a bit more specific regarding my testing and the effect:
1. I have not tested for this effect on standard alkaline batteries because I stopped using them years ago because of their relatively short life relative to the alternate lithium batteries and the fact that I have found that unlike alkaline batteries that can leak and damage the equipment after an extended period and/or exposed to extreme heat, I have never experienced any leakage or loss of charge from the lithium version even after being left for years in my vehicle where they experience many days of temperatures at and above 120° in the south Texas area where I live.
2. I have found the same effect in series battery sets regardless of the the number of batteries in the set or the type of service in which they are used.
3. When tested the remaining batteries in the sets show no observable voltage decline after the one noted is fully discharged.
As noted, I have no idea why this effect exists and any relevant feedback will be appreciated