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How to Shock a NiCad

Nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries can get to the stage where they just don't seem to retain a decent charge. You think the NiCad is charged, according to the battery charge indicator, but within a short while the battery is dead. It's not unusual, especially if your NiCad is a little old. However, with a bit of shock treatment to your battery, you'll be surprised at how much more energy it can store, and how much longer it may last.

Things You'll Need

NiCad battery charger

Instructions

- 1
  Charge the NiCad you want to shock as usual in the battery charger. When the battery charger indicates the battery's full, remove the NiCad from the charger.
- 2
  Put the battery into the device it operates. Turn on the device and let it operate.
- 3
  Let the device run until it stops working; it probably won't take much time.
- 4
  Turn off the device and let it stand for 30 minutes. Turn the device on again; it will run for a while longer.
- 5
  Turn off the device when it stops again and let it rest for 10 minutes. Your NiCad is getting shocked, and every time you repeat the process, the NiCad crystals break down into smaller crystals, which is what you want to happen. The smaller the crystals, the more power the NiCad can retain.
- 6
  Continue to repeat the process by turning it on and letting it run until it stops until eventually your device won't run. This means your NiCad is fully discharged and the crystals are broken down.
- 7
  Put the NiCad back on the charger. Let it charge until the charging indicator says the NiCad is full. Expect it to take three or four times longer than before because the shock treatment made the NiCad able to retain nearly as much energy as when it was first purchased.
- 8
  Turn off the charger once the battery is charged and remove the battery from the charger. Replace it in the electrical device when you need to use it. You will find that it lasts much longer than before.

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