Re: Battery Recharger

Good for you, Michel!  You used your head and thought:  "These claims don't 
fit."

A truly rechargeable cell has all the chemistry and physics reversible by 
passing current "the other way,"  For cells designed for that, this is 98% 
true.  For cells not designed for that, it might be 15% true.

I made those numbers up, but the essence is true.  You can recharge a NiCad 
because it fits the 98% model.  You can't recharge (very well) an alkaline cell 
because it fits the 15% model.

Passing current backwards in a cell always results in some recharging.  But  
it's not perfect, even in rechargeable (also called "secondary") cells.  That's 
why even the DieHard needs replacement now and then.

Your question makes me feel good because you saw claims (probably on TV), it 
didn't sit well with you, and you asked a question.  Never lose that through 
your life and you will be a scientist.  But I can't promise that will be an 
easy stance!  

Larry Skarin