Even the best-maintained Ni-Cd batteries eventually wear out. Recognizing the signs early helps avoid inconvenience and potential hazards.
Key Signs
- Reduced Runtime: The battery discharges significantly faster than before.
- Difficulty Charging: Takes too long to charge or won’t charge to full capacity.
- Excessive Heating: Battery gets unusually hot during charging or use.
- Physical Damage: Swelling, leakage, or noticeable cracks.
- Memory Effect Symptoms: Even after deep cycling, capacity remains low.
What to Do
When these signs become consistent, it’s time to responsibly retire the battery and replace it with a new one. Continuing to use failing batteries risks damaging your devices or creating safety hazards.
Replacing batteries at the right time ensures consistent performance and safety.
