The history of autonomous electric power sources goes back to the distant Middle Ages, when the biophysicist Galvani discovered an interesting effect in his experiments with the frog's legs cut off. Later, Alessandro Volta described this phenomenon and based on it created the first galvanic battery, today called the battery.
The principle of operation of the Volta pillar
As it turned out, Galvani conducted his experiments with electrodes of various metals. This prompted Volta to the idea that in the presence of a conductor-electrolyte a chemical reaction can occur between different materials, causing a potential difference.
He created his device based on this principle. It was a stack of copper, zinc, and cloth with acid plates interconnected. Due to a chemical reaction, an electric charge entered the anode and cathode. In those years, it seemed that Volta invented the perpetual motion machine. In fact, it turned out a little wrong.
Battery device
Today, batteries use the same principle: two reagents interconnected by an electrolyte. As it turned out later, the amount of energy that can be obtained as a result of the reaction is, of course, and the process itself is irreversible.
In a classic salt battery, the active substances are placed so that they do not mix. Contact between them is carried out only thanks to the electrolyte, which gets to them through a small hole. Also in the batteries there are current detectors that transmit it directly to the device.
Nowadays, salt or alkaline batteries are most often bought. The principle of operation is the same, but different chemical composition, capacity and physical conditions of service.
Feature of alkaline batteries
The upheaval in the world of autonomous power sources has become Duracell batteries. In the middle of the last century, the developers of this company found that alkali can be used in electrochemical cells instead of acid. Such batteries have a large capacity in comparison with saline and resistance to extreme working conditions.
In addition, it would seem that a dead battery can work a little more after a while. In this regard, many people began to ask a question: is it possible to charge alkaline batteries? The answer is unequivocal: no.
In the Union, the batteries were charged ...
Many craftsmen in Soviet times charged dead batteries. So they thought. In fact, the battery device does not allow the chemical processes to be reversed, as is the case with batteries.
In the old galvanic cells, salts were used that could lump into lumps or create a crust from the sediment on collectors. Passing current through the battery eliminated these awkward moments and caused more reactants to react. Unfortunately, in most cases, about 30% of the substance remained unused. Thus, what the craftsmen called recharging the battery, in fact, was only a slight shake.
Modern galvanic cells leave no more than 10% of the substance unused. The more expensive the reagents, the greater their capacity at the same sizes. The batteries on silver last 7-10 times, but they are also not cheap at all. In ordinary household conditions, simple salt batteries are sufficient. They are not so expensive to risk their health, trying to come up with a way to charge them.
Modern batteries and the danger of recharging them
In industry, many companies are engaged in the production of galvanic cells. They are inexpensive and affordable for everyone at any hardware store or electronics store. Therefore, the question of whether alkaline batteries can be charged is completely irrelevant. For example, they contain caustic alkali. In a confined space during the passage of the reverse current of the charger, the battery may boil and explode.
Even if your battery has survived one charge cycle, its capacity will not increase significantly. Duracell batteries and other galvanic cells are likely to quickly lose their charge again quite quickly. In addition, they may leak electrolyte, which will significantly damage the device in which they are located. It turns out that instead of imaginary savings, there is a risk of serious damage. Therefore, there is no point in thinking about whether alkaline batteries can be charged.
How to extend battery life?
Conventional salt batteries do not work well in conditions of heat and frost. Therefore, it makes no sense to use them in such weather. This is due to the fact that the electrolyte has the property to freeze or go into a gaseous state, which significantly reduces its conductivity.
A dead battery will still work for a while if it is crushed a little with pliers. You just need to be careful not to damage the case, otherwise the electrolyte will leak and ruin the device.
Reagents tend to lump into lumps. This prevents them from reacting. To help the process, tap the battery on a hard surface. Another 5-7 percent of its power you can shake.
Not everyone knows that the popular AA alkaline battery, like other batteries, can self-discharge. Therefore, you should always pay attention to the production date. Old batteries have a short life.
You cannot mix different types of galvanic cells. From this they significantly lose their charge. This will also happen if fresh batteries are added to dead batteries.
Galvanic cells do not work well in cold weather and quickly lose their charge. Warm them in hands before installation. This will return them to their previous capacity.
Now you know that when asked whether alkaline batteries can be charged, the answer is no. But you can significantly extend their life, observing the rules of operation. Regarding this particular type of battery, there is another trick: use two sets of cells. When one begins to lose its charge, replace it with another and let it rest.