What is “Memory Effect”?
This is a condition that affects Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries. Because of the chemistry involved the NiCd battery was required to be fully discharged in an appliance before it was charged – failure to do this brought on a shortening of the useable working time or a reduction of ‘capacity’. The ‘memory effect’ implies that a NiCd cell can forget how to deliver total capacity charge if continually partially discharged to a shallow level. In other words, if a rechargeable 2 hour use battery only runs 5 minutes a day and is then regularly recharged, it will turn into a 5 minute battery. With the technology of today’s better quality manufacturers the ‘memory effect’ has largely been eliminated by the design of the internal battery anode plates to increase their oxidation efficiency during discharge. Cheaply made NiCd cells are known to suffer problems of short life and consumers should always purchase well-known brands, particularly the Japanese technology.
Memory effect is found in primarily NiCad batteries and it slightly affects NiMH batteries as well. After numerous charges and discharges, the battery begins to develop a memory. If you do not completely discharge the battery before its next charge it may shorten the life of your battery. Some newer chargers have conditioners that remove the memory effect. If your charger does not have a conditioner you can accomplish a similar effect by power cycling your battery. Fully charge, and fully discharge the battery several times. The good news is that both the NiCad and the NiMH chemistries are improving and the memory effect is lessening.
