can I discharge AA batteries to zero volt and recharge them?

Question

I learned that rechargable batteries have memory effect.
then,
can I discharge AA batteries to zero volt and recharge them?

If I use flashlight or shaver to discharge AA batteries, I would fail soon. Because flashlight or shaver would NOT function any more at less than 1.1V each?

So, I would have to recharge them at 1.1V?

Answer 1

So, if you get a dent in your front bumper, the only way to fix it is to smash the entire front end and then try to pull it all back out?

I know, sounds sarcastic, but really, it's amazing what urban legends abound. Get this: Rechargeable batteries do NOT have a memory effect. This was once sort of true about 30 years or so ago. The technology has long since improved substantially. But the myth persists.

Certain batteries, such golf cart batteries, get used heavily, discharging nearly to 0v before recharging. Those are called deep-cycle batteries and are expensive, precisely because they do need a design to prevent damage.

AA, AAA, D cells, etc are NOT deep-cycle batteries. If you artificially find a way to drain them to 0v, it might be possible to recharge them, but you've caused irrevocable damage and dramatically shortened their life.

Basically, because today there is no memory effect, you can recharge your batteries every half hour if you want. Or wait until your device no longer works and THEN recharge them. Either way, it won't make a difference.

But never drain them to 0v. And put that "memory" myth into the grave, once and for all.

Answer 2

Yes, I too, saw that e-mail floating around. It has to be a lantern battery from the present times, cause just this past weekend we opened a older lantern battery, ie metal outside casing and it didn't have 32 AA batteries, it had 4 very large ie. D-cell batteries in it. But I'm wanting to go buy a plastic cased lantern battery and see for myself! Now where did I put those wire cutters and screw driver? I only hope the manufactures don't get wind of this, or we are all sunk. That darn lantern battery will cost $100.00 dollars. lol

Answer 3

Some batteries won't take a charge after they reach a certain low level, and, conversely, after they have been recharged a certain number of times.

Check out the following links for more info.