NiCd batteries

Nickel/Cadmium Cells

Anode: Cadmium

Cathode: Nickel oxyhydroxide Ni(OH)₂

Electrolyte: Aqueous potassium hydroxide (KOH)

Applications: Calculators, digital cameras, pagers, lap tops, tape recorders, flashlights, medical devices (e.g., defibrillators), electric vehicles, space applications

The cathode is nickel-plated, woven mesh, and the anode is a cadmium-plated net. Since the cadmium is just a coating, this cell's negative environmental impact is often exaggerated. (Incidentally, cadmium is also used in TV tubes, some semiconductors, and as an orange-yellow dye for plastics.) The electrolyte, KOH, acts only as an ion conductor and does not contribute significantly to the cell's reaction. That's why not much electrolyte is needed, so this keeps the weight down. (NaOH is sometimes used as an electrolyte, which doesn't conduct as well, but also doesn't tend to leak out of the seal as much). Here are the cell reactions:

So, I think the best answer is go ahead, but, your conductivity will suck, and consequently, your voltage and amp/hr output.

didnt know you could top them up?

SBM287-E1 by SAFT

what does that mean?

It is battery cell model number. It is used on subway passenger car (25 cells).

do you evergive non cryptic answers

ah so they do need water, Ive never come across large Ni-Cads before

http://www2.ald.net/~roden/ev/pages/saft.htm

http://www.instructables.com/id/Revive-Nicad-Batteries-by-Zapping-with-a-Welder/

G.

Distilled or deionized water should be used to top off non-sealed batteries.

Anything else would alter the composition of the electrolyte.

J

how about presence of Ozone in distilled water? Is it harmful in this case?

Thanks to all.

There is no ozone in distilled water unless it is put in during or after distillation. Some distillers have an ozone (or corona) generator.

I would not recommend "ozonated" water as it breaks down dissolved organic materials by oxidation.

If the "ozonated" water is left standing the ozone (O3) breaks down and naturally reverts back to oxygen (O2). Who wants to sit and wait for that to happen?

J

So such "ozonated" water will reduce battery life?

The water I am referring to is from drinking water supplier. there is ozone added into it, for disinfection, I think.

I asked the battery supplier about this and today they responded that because Ozone is unstable there will be no harm for batteries.

What if they said so just to keep us buying new equipment, i.e. electrolyte, cells, etc.

your thoughts...

"Ozone is unstable" That's pretty much what I meant when I said O3 reverts back to O2 after a while.

The water you get has been treated with Ozone to help get rid of biologicals and minerals in water that are not gotten rid of by a single cycle of distillation or other purification process.

No worry.

J