On 14 Mar 2005 12:24:54 -0800, "hikinandbikin"
scribbled:

Passivation while very frustrating, is not a serious problem as is it
not irreversible. There are at least two ways to deal with passivation.
One as mentioned above is to shock the battery with a large amount of
current. This is a dangerous and very tricky way to address the
problem. The much easier and safer method is to completely discharge
the batteries. Passivation can be almost completely eliminated by
"fully" depleting the cells.

I have it from an absolutely unimpeachable source, i.e. the latest
issue of "Handy", the magazine of the Handyman Club of America, that
you are all wrong.

In response to a reader letter querying "The three manufacturers [of
his cordless tools] all recommend completely discharging the batteries
before recharging them. Which is the right way?", the HCOA responded
to ignore the manufacturers' suggestions:

"It's quite possible that the practice of completely draining tool
batteries before charging originated from the manufacturers of
earlier-generation tools. Regardless, now we know better. Do not
completely drain your batteries by holding down the trigger. As soon
as you detect that the tool performance is diminished, it's time to
recharge."

Luigi
Who is wondering whether HCOA has some interest in getting people to
buy more batteries and who suspects the competence of their "advise"
is on par with the competence of their subscription department who
keep on sending the magazine despite his not having paid for it. OK,
in a momentary lapse of judgment 5 years ago, I did join and have the
drill bit index to prove it.