Battery

Battery is an electrochemical cell or a number of electrochemical cells interconnected that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Many home especially those whose their primary source of energy is solar energy intensively depend on it for their energy storage. It is so common and important that there is virtually no home that does not use it for one application or the other- in our cars, laptops, transistor radios, mobile phones, MP3 players, palmtops to mention few all make use of battery.

   
There are two types of batteries: primary batteries (disposable batteries) and secondary batteries (rechargeable batteries)

Primary batteries

Primary batteries are small and mostly used in portable devices that drain low current. They cannot be recharged, since the chemical reactions are not easily reversible and active materials may not return to their original forms. So, when used they will be discarded. Common types include zinc-carbon batteries and alkaline batteries.

Secondary batteries

Secondary/Rechargeable batteries can be recharged by applying electric current, which reverses the chemical reactions that occur during its use. The needed current to charge the batteries is provided from devices called chargers. Rechargeable batteries come in different shapes and sizes, ranging from a small hearing aid cell to several kilowatt battery bank used as back up for some telecom equipments. The following are some commonly used chemical combination in rechargeable batteries: lead-acid (oldest and commonly use), nickel cadmium (NiCd), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium ion (Li-ion), and lithium ion polymer (Li-ion polymer).

 

If you have been following me, you would have noticed that my write up is just to give you background knowledge of the subject matter as I am more interested in circuits and projects related to the subject. I will like to draw your attention to rechargeable batteries but we will not discuss its chemistry of charging and discharging here. May be because I do not really like it: while I worked very hard to make a credit in chemistry, I made distinctions in mathematics and physics with no stress.

You know well that batteries are expensive and very useful devices that if not properly used, maintained or/and kept can reduce its lifespan. Deep discharging or overcharging of your rechargeable batteries can cause serious damage to your batteries, so you need to employ means of preventing them from this injury. Here I will present to you different circuits that will help you manage your batteries with no attention of man.