On Thu, 05 Dec 2019 09:19:21 +1100, Rod Speed wrote:

wrote in message
...
On Wednesday, 4 December 2019 16:32:07 UTC, Scott wrote:
I found a few rechargeable batteries that had not been used for at
least three years. I charged them all and found they do not seem to
be holding their charge (unable to power a cordless mouse for more
than five minutes).

Is this type of battery destroyed by being left discharged for a long
period or could it recover with a few more charges?

NiCd & NiMH aren't worried by sitting flat. I'd charge them, not fit
them then fit them to the mouse a week later, see if they've self
discharged or whether they then run 5 minutes. Should narrow down the
problem. If they're self discharging quickly you can get a bit more
life by zapping them, but not much, they soon short out again. AAs &
AAAs are 2 for £1 at poundland anyway.

There is also the difference between good and lousy chargers.

At one time I discovered that the Panasonic cordless phone would charge
what the dedicated charger wouldnt charge properly.

We've have four Panasonic mobile phones bought about ten years ago.
Recently I had to change the batteries in two of them.
I thought that was pretty good.