Can You Use a NIMH Charger for Lithium Batteries?

Battery reversal, forced discharge, charging, direct short, crush, impact, shock, vibration, submersion in water, and high temperature storage are just a few of the abusive scenarios that lithium batteries are put through a lot of testing for. To ensure that consumers are getting the safest possible product, the products must adhere to strict acceptance standards.  But many people ask - whether lithium batteries can be recharged in a NiMH charger? 

Can lithium batteries Be Recharged in a NiMH Charger?

For your own safety, you cannot and should not. The safety features required for Li-ion batteries are absent from NiMH chargers. Charge Li-ion batteries only in Li-ion chargers due to these factors. A different charger may cause explosions, chemical fires, and overheated batteries. Because every brand of Li-ion battery is unique, chargers offer different voltages, currents, and charging times, and using the wrong settings can have disastrous results. The chemistries, cell voltages, and required charging techniques/algorithms for NiMh and Lithium batteries are different from one another. It is not necessary to switch from the lead acid battery chargers you have been using to lithium battery chargers. It can be done with a lead acid charger. 

Lead acid chargers typically have an equalization mode, if not always. This mode might be automatic on some chargers and impossible to exit. There is no need for equalization with lithium batteries. The cells of a lithium battery will be irreparably harmed if a 15 volt equalization charge is applied to it. If a lead-acid charger has a maximum voltage setting and does not have an automatic equalization mode activated, you can use it to charge lithium batteries.

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Can You Mix Lithium and Alkaline Batteries?

You are advised against mixing batteries because voltage and chemistries vary among battery types and brands. A battery leak and less-than-ideal device performance can be caused by mixing different cell types. An imbalance in capacities results from using lithium and alkaline batteries of different chemistries together in a device. The stronger batteries will discharge the weakest battery for you as it runs out of power. Lithium cells that force discharge alkaline batteries have a higher likelihood of leaking. 

There are numerous cautions about how to use batteries if you have ever read the small print on a pack of batteries or on a product that uses batteries. It is advised not to mix different battery types, brands, old and new batteries, and so forth.

Battery chemistries should not be mixed.

Carbon-zinc, silver-oxide, lithium, alkaline and the other types of battery chemistries are incompatible. When different battery chemistries are used to power one product, the lower capacity batteries may over-discharge and electrolyte leakage could harm your product. In essence, it slobbers around and eats the battery contacts, potentially ruining your product.

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Separate rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries.

This is a continuation of the "don't mix chemistries" warning with an added risk: it might irreparably damage your rechargeable batteries. Furthermore, remember that lithium (non-rechargeable) and lithium-ion (rechargeable) are two entirely distinct chemical processes.

Avoid blending different battery brands.

This is a little bit of an urban legend. As long as the batteries are the same size and belong to the same chemistry group (all lithiums, all alkalines, etc.), they can be used together. ) they are largely interchangeable. Four alkaline C batteries, even if they were made by different companies, were sufficient to power a product. Just keep in mind that a poor battery can reduce a product's performance and reduce some of the value of more expensive batteries. 

Combining batteries with various charge levels can significantly reduce battery life. The charge of each battery decreases as the product is used, and the battery with the lowest charge will eventually die first. The dead battery now contributes to the product's electrical load. The dead battery, before it ever has a chance to do any work for you, uses up a portion of the electrical charge from the other batteries. Even worse, there is a chance that the dead battery might leak. 

Can You Use NIMH Batteries Instead of Lithium?

That will ultimately depend on the device, but generally speaking, no. NiMH and Li-ion batteries are typically not interchangeable due to differences in size, shape, and voltage. The user's manual for your device will almost certainly make note of whether it accepts both types of batteries. Any device will work with Duracell NiMH batteries as long as they are the right size, but the brand Duracell recommends checking the user manual of your specific device to ensure compatibility. 

NiMH cells are best suited for high-drain devices, such as digital cameras, which typically drain alkaline batteries very quickly. Although both battery types are long-lasting and have been in use for many years in a variety of applications, NiMH has an edge in terms of durability. In extreme temperatures, especially in extremely hot climates, some Li-ion batteries do not last as long.

How to Tell if a Battery is Lithium?

In contrast to button/coin cells, which may start with (CR), lithium primary batteries may be marked "Lithium.". There are non-rechargeable lithium primary batteries in the following sizes: AA/AAA, C, D, Coin/Button cell, and 9v. Due to their longer lifespan, they are beginning to replace many regular alkaline batteries. The biochemical electrolyte found inside the negative and positive electrodes is the fundamental difference between lithium-polymer and lithium-ion batteries. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which use a liquid electrolyte, lithium-polymer batteries use a dry, solid electrolyte that resembles gel. 

When new in form, lithium is a silvery-white to grey alkali metal with a metallic luster; however, due to its high reactivity, it quickly tarnishes in air to a dull silvery-grey and then turns black. At 20°C, it is the least dense and lightest metal of all the elements that are not gases, and it floats on water. Unlike alkaline batteries, lithium batteries have the ability to release a significant amount of energy after a protracted period of low discharge. They are perfect for fire alarms because of this. Regular batteries, or alkaline batteries, offer reliable long-term power but gradually lose power.