Battery Discharging

[Brian Brown]

Will a battery discharge if left in a device which is switched off even though the positive and negative terminals are still connected?

 

[telectrix]

yes and no. some do and some don't . my Hitaci SDS tends to drain down in a week or so without use, but AEG cordless dril and multitool stay charged. I have 2 Workzone multitools (Aldi). the 12 V one stays charged, the 10.8V one drains if left in the tool.

 

[Brian Brown]

Hello Telectrix. It's as I thought then. It's bit of nuisance then having to remove batteries every time after switching off so, I guess one he's to live with it. Many thanks for the reply. Brian

 

[Lucien Nunes]

But what kind of device and battery are we talking about?

 

[pc1966]

All batteries self-discharge. Rechargeable ones more so.

But some equipment takes a non-trivial power even in the "off" position making it far worse!

 

[static zap]

If you want some proper self discharge rates ..
(try keeping Old Nicads alive)
------------------------
..I'm sure LiPo self discharge is temperature sensitive ?
..any experience ..

 

[Mike Johnson]

Newer Lithium Iron batteries discharge at a much lower rate than previous batteries, some have the claim against them of maintaining over 50% capacity after a year, I have a few Lithium Nano Phosphate batteries that are still good after standing for five years, they have charged back up and according to my somewhat sophisticated charger still have a capacity of 85%, not so the Lithium Polymer batteries I neglected.

 

[dmxtothemax]

Self discharge of rechargable batteries will happen reguardless
of what ever is, or is not ,connectted to it.
It,s due to the chemical processes inside the battery,
which will happen even if nothing is connectted to it !

 

[Brian Brown]

Thanks everyone for the replies.