Lithium batteries are popular for their eco-friendly qualities and many people are using these batteries day to day life. However, some people are stuck with Nicad batteries and want to change.
Hence, the question is can you change the batteries? Will it harm the devices?
Lithium batteries can be used instead of Nicad in most cases. And it will not harm the devices. Because the devices require an energy source. When they meet the requirements, the devices will not malfunction.
There are some other questions that need to be known if you are planning to use a Lithium battery instead of Nicad. In this article, I will share that information one by one.
What Is the Difference Between Nicad and Lithium Batteries?
The Lithium-ion batteries are compact and require very little maintenance. In comparison to NiCad batteries, lithium-ion batteries are environmentally friendly and safe.
Even while both batteries have certain similarities, they differ in several areas, including their effect, cost, and impact on the environment. Let’s have a look at the differences between NiCad and lithium-ion batteries:
Electrochemistry:
The positive and negative terminals of NiCad are made up of two distinct compounds. The negative terminal is cadmium, the positive terminal is nickel oxyhydroxide, and the electrolyte comprises aqueous potassium hydroxide.
On the other hand, the positive terminal of lithium is made up of graphite, the negative terminal is made up of lithium oxide, and the electrolyte is made up of lithium salt.
Environmental Impact:
Lithium-ion batteries are thought to be environmentally safe. There is no hazardous waste used in the battery production process. The NiCad battery, on the other hand, includes several hazardous compounds that are toxic to people.
It comprises 6% industrial batteries and 18% consumer batteries such as cadmium and other metals. Cadmium is regarded as a dangerous heavy metal, which is why it must be handled with caution when the battery is disposed of. As a result, several governments are devising various ways for preventing and limiting it.
The batteries cost:
Lithium-ion batteries are costly since they all have a protective circuit that regulates current and voltage. The cost of NiCad is 40% cheaper. This is why lithium-ion batteries are hard to come
Memory effect:
In comparison to NiCad batteries, Lithium-ion batteries recall the charge cycle and have a stronger memory effect. In addition, you must be able to withstand harsh weather and high temperatures. The battery will be protected by the protective circuit.
The memory effect is a problem with nickel-cadmium batteries (NiCad), that’s why lithium-ion batteries are preferred. There is no protection circuit in NiCad. by on the market.
Can You Use A Lithium Battery On A Nicad Drill?
The primary role of batteries is to provide power in proportion to their capacity and the machine’s requirements. All you have to do is make sure the battery is the right size for the machine or gadget. Because the machine is unaware of the significance of lithium-ion and NiCad batteries, it only responds to external commands. It doesn’t matter what manufacturer or battery is used, the battery ought to be compatible.
The key goal is to ensure that the equipment receives adequate power. As a result, any gadget may utilize a lithium-ion battery instead of a NiCad battery. Some people have had their own experiences with it, and the consequences are always the same.
Can You Charge A Lithium-Ion Battery On A Nicad Charger?
The majority of power tools available in the market today aren’t built to discern the difference between power from a NiCad battery and power from a Lithium-ion battery.
Cordless power tools are built in such a manner that incompatible batteries will not work with them. As a result, any battery pack, whether a Lithium-ion or a NiCad battery pack, is safe to use if you have compatible chargers. The battery, on the other hand, must be compatible with the tool.
It’s essential to understand that the charger that comes with the NiCad battery will not work with the Lithium-ion battery.
Hence, you cannot charge a Lithium-ion battery with a NiCad charger. However, you may charge the NiCad battery with a Lithium-ion battery charger.
Do Lithium Batteries Last Longer Than Nicad?
The truth is both batteries have the almost same lifetime. The shelf life of both kinds of batteries is reasonably long. Batteries made of nickel-cadmium can be kept or utilized for up to 5 years. Lithium-ion batteries have a lifespan of two to three years.
Can You Use A Nicad And Lithium-Ion Battery Together?
No, because of the way they’re made and the chemicals they utilize, it’s not conceivable. The electrolytes in both batteries are different, as are the negative and positive terminals. As a result, it’s plausible that putting both batteries in the same gadget would cause a chemical reaction that results in a burst.
Your device may get damaged by the mixing batteries. It does not execute any act of combining various types of batteries, not just in the case of lithium-ion and NiCad batteries.
It could work at first, but after a while, it will stop operating or harm your device. So, even if the behavior is not dangerous, it is wiser to avoid it. Use the correct battery for each gadget to ensure that the battery performs well.
Conclusion
Because they have similar characteristics and attributes, Lithium-ion and NiCad batteries can be used interchangeably. The system does not identify the type of battery and simply requires an electrical source, that’s why either battery can be used. However, Lithium-ion batteries are considerably better than Nicad.
Related posts:
