New Life to Dead Ni-Cad and Alkiline Batteries

In this Instructable, I'm going to show you a secret battery company's DON'T want you to know!!! How to give new life to dead Ni-Cad batteries AND disposable batteries.



This was not 100% my idea. I got the idea from: Bring Dead Ni-Cad Batteries back to life

Disclaimer: This project is extremely dangerous. High voltage capacitors can hurt or even kill you. I am not responsible for your actions.

PLEASE, COMMENT & RATE!!!

Step 1: You Will Need

You will need the following:

• 
  a oscillator circuit (I’m using a self oscillating relay parts, for old schematic, relay, 100uf cap, and clips)
  

• 
  A high voltage diode with at least a 200V rating (I had one lying around)
  

• 
  heavy duty alligator clips or wires
  

• 
  A high voltage capacitor or a photo flash cap. ( you can get it from a disposable camera with flash)
  

If you want, you can use the circuitry from a disposable camera Here’s the instructable.

Step 2: Why They Die and How It Works

Well, They don't exactly 'die'; it's sulfur crystals that form inside the cell, this is caused by:

• 
  Overcharging
  

• 
  Leaving the cell in the discharge state for a while
  

• 
  Memory effect
  

• 
  high temperature
  

After the crystals have begin growing inside the cell, they will eventually touch both ends of the cell terminals. This shorts out the cell from the inside and prevent it to being recharged again...

luckily, sulfur crystals can be easily destroyed, by putting a hefty surge of current through the cell... This vaporizes those pesky crystals and the battery should be good as new again!

This should work most of the time, butif the battery has leaked, nothing can recover the batteries.

Step 3: Make the Zapper. Part I

To make the zapper, wire up the relay to the first or second schematic.

(make sure that the relay has two sets of contacts if you use the first schematic.)

* for the first schematic, Connect one end of The relay coil to ground.



* connect the other end of the coil to the "normally closed" terminal switch



* connect the arm switch part of the relay to +V.



* now connect the 100uf cap. (see the first picture. not schematic 1)

* Connect the low voltage terminal to the transformer to ground.

* On the other set of contacts, connect the other low voltage terminal of the

transformer to the two stationary contacts, and lastly the armature to +V end of your

power supply (see the second picture)

Step 4: All the Steps Part II

Now, lets make work on the high voltage end of the transformer.

* connect the diode to the transformer

*test the output of the transformer. try to get the lamp as bright as you can. the brighter the lamp, the faster the capacitor will charge.

NOTE: (you may need reverse polarity on the diode [last picture] ).

* connect a high voltage capacitor to the free end the diode and the other end of the transformer. (make sure polarity is correct) this is the same for both old & new schematics. [pic 1]

* test the cap by turning on the circuit (in other words, charge the cap) and then

short the capacitor

* You should hear a loud “pop” and see a flash of bright blue light.

* Now charge the cap. then, connect the two output leads to the

dead battery’s + and - terminal.

*note; you only touch the output of the capacitor to the batteries, dont keep them on it the circuit is designed just to apply a split-second long jolt to them.

Now just recharge your Ni-Cad batteries like normal!

Step 5: Troubleshooting & Photo Gallery

if your rechargeable battery's STILL don't work:

* check to see if the battery's leaked, if so, this method won't work go to step 2 if you

   want more info..

*make sure the battery shocker makes bright blue sparks when the terminals touch.

  if not, make sure you read all instructions correctly.

  (you may have to play with the diode AND capacitor polarity.)

              /\

            / || \

          /   ||   \

              ||

  _____||_____

( photo gallery )

 ''''''''''''''''''''''''"""""""''

Step 6: Extra, Recharge Disposable(non-rechargeable) Batterys

(CAUTION: these batteries were not designed to recharge, read the warning on them. some of the better brands like durcell will explode or leak if not used properly, they tend to do so more often because those company's pack them full of the cr/\p. keep a close eye on them for any signs of explosions. if they explode not only will they make a mess, fire hazard, and worst of all, they wont hold a charge because the exploded, their gone!) 

this is actually VERY simple!!!

1) gather a few things

+ a 4.5 volt regulated power source

+ dead disposable battery(s) { first image }

+ a 3 volt battery holder { like second image }

2) next, connect the positive (+) from the battery holder to the positive (+) on the 4.5V regulated power source

3) after that, connect the negative (-) from the battery holder to the negative (-) on the 4.5V regulator

4) (optional) recharge the dead batteries from that "EASY" butten you got from staples and then insert them back in

5) (optional) now your DONE!!! now just press that EASY butten from staples!!! *.*

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