From: klein@math205.mathematik.uni-bielefeld.de (John R. Klein)
Subject: Re: What happens if you completely flatten your PB's battery?
Nntp-Posting-Host: math205.mathematik.uni-bielefeld.de
Organization: Universitaet Bielefeld, Rechenzentrum
Lines: 32

In article <C5FoDG.on@raistlin.udev.cdc.com> swiers@chaos.aqeng.cdc.com  
(Aaron Swiers) writes:
> schuyler@netcom.com (Gabriel M. Schuyler) writes:
> >stanger@otago.ac.nz (Nigel Stanger) writes:
> >>Can running a PowerBook's battery completely flat have any
> >>detrimental side effects (other than the PB not going :) I ask,
> >
> >Only two things I can think of.
> >1.  Although NiCad (145,145,160,165c,170,180) batteries should be  
completely
> >    discharged about once a month, LeadAcid batteries (100) shouldn't  
ever be
> >    completely discharged (well, maybe ONCE in a while is OKAY).
> >
> This is a very common mis-conception dealing with Ni-cad batteries.  It  
is 
> a good idea to completely discharge a ni-cad CELL periodically.  It is
> NOT a good idea to completely discharge a ni-cad BATTERY.  The  
difference
> being that a cell is only one cell (nicad puts out 1.2 volts) like a
> rechargeable AAA, AA, C, or D.  A battery is defined as more than one
> cell (9 volt, or 7.2 for nicad equivalent).  Due to differences in the
> individual cells of a battery, complete discharge can actually harm
> a nicad battery more than help it overcome the "memory effect".  The
> most common problem is that over time an individual cell can develop
> internal shorts, which will weaken other cells that are connected to
> it, thus reducing the lifespan of your battery pack.
> 
etc....

Okay, naive question: How does one discharge a cell without discharging  
the entire battery?
