Why is it that some battery operated gadgets will not run on Nicad rechargable batteries?

Question

My weather station will only operate on alkaline 'store bought batteries',.

What is the reason?

Answer 1

You could try rechargeable Alkaline cells, although my experience is that these do not perform all that well.

Another option would be to see if your device can operate using a plug in adaptor instead. If no jack is provided one could be installed by anybody experienced with basic electronic skills.

Answer 2

Could be the wrong voltage

Answer 3

ni-cads only run 1.2volts, it may be that your weather station needs 1.5 volts for calibration reasons.

Answer 4

its the battery voltage!

many older appliances will not work on rechargeable batteries as they have a 1.2 or 1.3V cell but  one-use batteris have a 1.5V cell voltage.

Please not that as of this year its illegal to sell Ni-Cd batteries as lose items from 1st January and anything with a Ni-Cd battery in it cannot be sold from September 26 2008.

Also as this date all appliances should also be sold with the ability to use rechargeable batteries.

this is a sign that your weather station was probably made  prior to 2007.

Answer 5

Well, some devices were made before rechargeables became popular; and were simply not designed for the difference.

The main difference in behavior is that Alkaline batteries (and the older Carbon-Zinc cells) deliver about 1.5V when new, and maintain that level pretty well. NiCADs (Nickel Cadmium) and the more recent NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) cells deliver a nominal 1.2V output (more like 1.4V when fully charged). If your device can tolerate a range of voltage, it can handle either kind.. if it really needs something close to 1.5V volts, it will not work with current rechargeables.

NiMH cells have largely replaced NiCAD, for several reasons. NiMH cells exhibit much less of the "memory effect" of NiCADs that causes them to lose their chargeability if they're recharged before totally exhausted. NiMH cells offer a higher energy density (more power in the same space), and they're slightly easier to charge. And Cadmium is a heavy metal associated with pollution in the environment... NiCADs are being phased out, but your question is the same for NiMH cells.