Are there any handheld cordless vac models that use NiMH betteries?
The ones I've used so far (DirtDevil, DustBuster) all use NiCd, and
they had really poor charge capacity - all would run out of steam in
1-2 minutes, even though I'd make sure to charge them for several
hours, or even days, prior to use.

cheers

wrote:
The ones I've used so far (DirtDevil, DustBuster) all use NiCd, and
they had really poor charge capacity - all would run out of steam in
1-2 minutes, even though I'd make sure to charge them for several
hours, or even days, prior to use.

Sounds like you have a problem with your battery management. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel-...#Memory_effect

Una

On Thu, 01 Feb 2007 22:03:04 GMT, Una wrote:


wrote:
The ones I've used so far (DirtDevil, DustBuster) all use NiCd, and
they had really poor charge capacity - all would run out of steam in
1-2 minutes, even though I'd make sure to charge them for several
hours, or even days, prior to use.

Sounds like you have a problem with your battery management. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel-...#Memory_effect

....
"There is controversy about whether the memory effect actually exists, or
whether it is as serious a problem as is sometimes believed. Some critics
claim it is used to promote competing NiMH batteries, which apparently
suffer this effect to a lesser extent. Many nickel-cadmium battery
manufacturers either deny this effect exists or are silent on the matter."

Says nothing really.

On Feb 1, 3:03 pm, (Una) wrote:
wrote:
The ones I've used so far (DirtDevil, DustBuster) all use NiCd, and
they had really poor charge capacity - all would run out of steam in
1-2 minutes, even though I'd make sure to charge them for several
hours, or even days, prior to use.

Sounds like you have a problem with your battery management. Seehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel-cadmium_battery#Memory_effect

Una

Wrong guess, I'm afraid. I've tried using a deep discharge cycle -
e.g., leave the vac turned on for the whole day, then, when I got back
home that night, I'd turn it off and charge it overnight. That didn't
help at all.

wrote in message
ups.com...
Are there any handheld cordless vac models that use NiMH betteries?
The ones I've used so far (DirtDevil, DustBuster) all use NiCd, and
they had really poor charge capacity - all would run out of steam in
1-2 minutes, even though I'd make sure to charge them for several
hours, or even days, prior to use.

That's how they work (or don't work). But, 1 minute is a bit short. 2 to 3
is more typical.

I agree with you and would purchase a cordless that used AA NiMHs since they
are so easy to find and inexpensive.

On 1 Feb 2007 12:57:17 -0800, wrote:

Are there any handheld cordless vac models that use NiMH betteries?
The ones I've used so far (DirtDevil, DustBuster) all use NiCd, and
they had really poor charge capacity - all would run out of steam in
1-2 minutes, even though I'd make sure to charge them for several
hours, or even days, prior to use.

cheers

They are designed to run no more than a couple of minutes.

wrote:
Are there any handheld cordless vac models that use NiMH betteries?
The ones I've used so far (DirtDevil, DustBuster) all use NiCd, and
they had really poor charge capacity - all would run out of steam in
1-2 minutes, even though I'd make sure to charge them for several
hours, or even days, prior to use.

I went to the battery store to have the batteries in my DustBuster replaced.
$18 plus tax, ready tommorrow, they quoted.

I went to WalMart and bought a new DustDevil for $17.00.

Your math may vary.

wrote:
On Feb 1, 3:03 pm, (Una) wrote:
wrote:
The ones I've used so far (DirtDevil, DustBuster) all use NiCd, and
they had really poor charge capacity - all would run out of steam in
1-2 minutes, even though I'd make sure to charge them for several
hours, or even days, prior to use.
Sounds like you have a problem with your battery management. Seehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel-cadmium_battery#Memory_effect

Una

Wrong guess, I'm afraid. I've tried using a deep discharge cycle -
e.g., leave the vac turned on for the whole day, then, when I got back
home that night, I'd turn it off and charge it overnight. That didn't
help at all.


Gees. No wonder the batteries didn't charge worth
a hoot. First you overcharged them (the number
one cause of ruining Nicads, and then discharge
them so much that some of the cell probably
reversed polarity, which is almost guaranteed to
ruin the battery.

"Charles Schuler" wrote in
:


wrote in message
ups.com...
Are there any handheld cordless vac models that use NiMH betteries?
The ones I've used so far (DirtDevil, DustBuster) all use NiCd, and
they had really poor charge capacity - all would run out of steam in
1-2 minutes, even though I'd make sure to charge them for several
hours, or even days, prior to use.

That's how they work (or don't work). But, 1 minute is a bit short.
2 to 3 is more typical.

My old Dustbuster runs for plenty of time. I have yet to run it down
completely in over 10 years.After 10 years,I finally needed a new battery
pack.The local DeWalt service center replaced them.
BTW,the cells in the DB pack were designed for continuous charge,so you can
leave the DB on the charger when you are not using it.(DigiKey lists NiCd
cells for this 24/7/365 application)


I agree with you and would purchase a cordless that used AA NiMHs
since they are so easy to find and inexpensive.






--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

wrote in message
ups.com...
Are there any handheld cordless vac models that use NiMH betteries?
The ones I've used so far (DirtDevil, DustBuster) all use NiCd, and
they had really poor charge capacity - all would run out of steam in
1-2 minutes, even though I'd make sure to charge them for several
hours, or even days, prior to use.

cheers


Unless you're planning of vacuuming the entire house with it, 1 to 3 minutes
seems entirely reasonable.

Leave Nicads in a constant charger, you burn them out. Discharge them
till the motor wont run and you ruin them. Get new batteries and learn
how to use them.

On Feb 1, 7:20 pm, (m Ransley) wrote:
Leave Nicads in a constant charger, you burn them out. Discharge them
till the motor wont run and you ruin them. Get new batteries and learn
how to use them.

Can you point me to any research to back this?

wrote in message
ups.com...
Are there any handheld cordless vac models that use NiMH betteries?
The ones I've used so far (DirtDevil, DustBuster) all use NiCd, and
they had really poor charge capacity - all would run out of steam in
1-2 minutes, even though I'd make sure to charge them for several
hours, or even days, prior to use.

The Dyson Root 6 handheld has as 21.6V lithium ion battery.

-al sung
Rapid Realm Technology, Inc.
Hopkinton, MA

wrote in
oups.com:

On Feb 1, 7:20 pm, (m Ransley) wrote:
Leave Nicads in a constant charger, you burn them out. Discharge them
till the motor wont run and you ruin them. Get new batteries and learn
how to use them.

Can you point me to any research to back this?



My Dustbuster is SPECIFICALY made to stay on the charger when not in use.
He's right about deep-discharge of NiCds,though.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

Well, back to the original question:

Are there any handheld cordless vac models that use NiMH betteries?