Reducing Battery Maintenance Intervals

It has long been a desired goal of battery designers to use the illusive “Inflection Point” as the criteria for cutting off “fast” charge of a battery, in particular wet (flooded) Nickel-Cadmium batteries (NI-CAD's). Inflection point fast charging cut-off has the inherent capability of preventing overcharge, and thus, overheated batteries which can ultimately result in “voltage depression” (commonly called “memory”) and in premature fluid loss.

This paper discusses the unique merits of real time inflection point charging. The paper also discusses commonly ignored or misapplied battery requirements that contribute to poor battery reliability and shortened life.