NiCad: Nickel Cadmium
* Pros:
– extreme temps
– deep discharge, i.e. high output
– longer battery life: 700-1000 cycles
– least thermal run away
* Cons:
– memory effect: can only be charged to last full charge so need to be fully charged after each use.
– not environmental friendly
NiMH: Nickel Metal Hydride
* Pros:
– higher capacity than NiCad (2x)
– no memory effect
– deep discharge, i.e. high output
– less thermal run away than Li-ion
* Cons:
– medium temp: -5 to 95 F
– less capacity than Li-ion
– less battery life than NiCad: 500-800 cycles
– weak cell syndrome: weakest cell prevails
* NiMH charger can NOT be used for Li-ion batteries
Li-ion: Lithium Ion
* Pros:
– high energy density
– best deep discharge
– environmental friendly
* Cons:
– least temp
– thermal runaway: explosion
– short battery life: 400-750 cycles
* Li-ion charger can be used for NiMH batteries
* Li-ion is different from lithium batteries which are NON-rechargeable