Introduction
This
document contains information about using Nickel Cadmium (NiCD) or
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) with the HP Photosmart digital camera.
When using rechargeable batteries, do not mix the types of
batteries. Use only one type of battery at a time with the HP
Photosmart digital cameras.
CAUTION:
Do not mix non-rechargeable with rechargeable batteries. Doing
so may cause damage to the HP Photosmart digital camera. THIS
APPLIES TO MOST PRODUCTS.
Information
Optimum
performance takes approximately four charges to free up the
electrons used in energy storage of the battery cell. Batteries
discharge over time and should be recharged before or after
long-term storage. For optimum battery performance, the battery
should be fully discharged to a level below 1 VDC.
Battery
care
- Do
not expose the battery to heat - Permanent damage will result
if the battery is exposed to temperatures above 110 degrees F
or 43 degrees C. A battery left in a car in the hot summer sun
is the example.
- Do
not over charge the battery - Disconnecting and reconnecting
the charger to AC power frequently, without discharging the
battery, may cause over charging.
- Cycle
the battery regularly - Cycle the battery from a fully charged
to a fully discharged state regularly.
- Do
not over discharge the battery - The camera consumes battery
power even when it is turned off. NiMH Batteries actually
drain in the box so they should be recharged after any
extended shutdown (the battery should be drained first).
Frequently
asked questions and answers
How
long can the batteries hold their charge if left on the shelf
(shelf-life)?
At
room temperature, Maha NiMH batteries can generally retain 70
percent of their charge in 30 days. Of course, environmental
factors play an important role in the above said value. THAT'S
1 TO 2 % PER DAY, TEMPERATURE PLAYS A BIG PART.
How
often should batteries be conditioned?
Generally
speaking, NiMH batteries do not suffer from the "memory
effect" and thus do not require conditioning. Nevertheless,
to ensure top performance, conditioning is recommended once for
every ten charges. For Nickel Cadmium (NiCD) batteries,
conditioning is recommended every time the batteries are
charged.
How
many times can batteries be recharged?
The
number of times batteries can be recharged will depend on the
operating parameters, such as drain rate, battery care, etc. In
general, under desirable conditions, NiCd can last up to 500
recharges. In best condition, NiMH can last up to 1000
recharges.
Can
batteries be left in the charger until needed?
When
used with an overnight charger (such as the Maha MH-C124s) or a
rapid charger with automatic termination (such as the Maha
MH-C204F), NiMH batteries can be left in the charger for an
extended period of time without leakage, explosion, or
deformation. However, do not store the batteries in the charger
if it is not necessary. Always store charged batteries in a cool
location. I HAVE FOUND THAT BATTERIES
JUST REMOVED FROM THE CHARGER CAN GIVE UP TO 15 TO 20%
LONGER IMMEDIATE RUN TIME. I HAVE MULTIPLE CHARGES AND
REMOVE THE BATTERIES JUST BEFORE NEEDING TO USE THEM.
Copyright
(C) Hewlett-Packard Co. 2000
This information is subject to change without notice and is
provided "as is" with no warranty. Hewlett-Packard
shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special,
incidental or consequential damages in connection with the use
of this material.