Abstract:

In the months of November-December 2021 and January-March 2022, research on available NiMH R6 batteries in the Polish, German, and Portuguese markets from 13 manufacturers was conducted. The batteries of the following brands were examined: Ansmann, Camelion, Conrad, Duracell, Eneloop, Energizer, GC, MediaRange, Pearl, Philips, RecyKo, Tronic, Varta. A microprocessor device was used for the research, allowing the discharge of the tested batteries with any specified current in the range of 100 mA to 1 A. The device also allowed monitoring of battery charging and was calibrated using a digital multimeter AXIO MET AX-18B. The batteries were discharged in a climatic chamber at constant temperature of T = 21.5°C (ΔT = 0.5°C) and air humidity ranging from 35% to 55%.

The results of the conducted tests allowed:

• to compare the capacity of R6 batteries when discharged with current of I = 100 mA and down to the threshold voltage of U = 0.8 V, with the capacity declared by the manufacturer;
• to compare the capacity of R6 batteries when discharged with a current of I = 100 mA and down to the threshold voltage of U = 0.8 V among different brands;
• to verify the stored energy of batteries declared as 'Ready to use'/'Precharged' and to compare the state of charge among the studied brands;
• to verify the charging time of batteries with a constant current of I = 500 mA.