Rechargeable Lights

[REKIBorter]

I have two rechargeable bike lights, Specialized Proview 12W (Ni-Cad battery) and Vistalite V420 10w (lead-acid battery), haven't used them since 1999 Redbull Mountain Mayhem 24 hour race. I recently charged them both up for a spot of DIY in a dark place with the electricity switched off. I know that the batteries need to be conditioned - charge & discharge - to get some life back into them. But, what condition should I leave them in for storage, Charged or flat?

 

[gradeAfailure]

I always thought that rechargeable batteries should be discharged for storage...

 

[SLIM]

depends on the batteries , some need to be fully charged

over time they discharge themselves and when they are fully discharged you wont be able to recharge them

 

[Thunderchild]

NiCad can be discharged, but do not discharge the lead acid (Sealed Lead Acid[SLA]). They should always be stored with a charge. If they are allowed to discharge, you will loose capacity. The following reference states to not store them longer than 3-months.

http://is.med.ohio-state.edu/policies/battery.htm

Thunderchild
www.urmb.org

 

[scant]

you can get replacement batterys for those vistalites for £5 from maplins. FYI.