Can I swap a NiMH with NiCad?

[thundermasmacho]

I have a cordless WaterPik (M/N WP-360) and it no-longer holds a charge. I have a number of questions:

1. What's the easiest way to determine if it's the battery or the charger that has gone tits-up?

2. It currently uses a 2.4V 1300mAh NiMH battery pack, but I can only find NiCad's with the same specs and dimensions (small enough to fit in the unit).
So, can I replace an NiMH with a NiCad? I know that NiCad is kind of obsolete now, and comes with a whole host of other issues and concerns, but they seem to be pretty cheap and easy to find.
2a. Anyone know of a good place to find a NiMH with these specs?
2b. If I use a NiCad instead, is there a danger in overcharging, or a fire, etc.?

 

[Resqueline]

1. Can't say w/o detailed information about the product and your resources.
2.Yes.
2a. What spec's? I've seen 2.4V & 1300mAh but there's more to a battery spec' than that.
2b. No. If the charger is intelligent it might just stop charging a little too early.

 

[thundermasmacho]

I don't have a lot of details on the battery or the device as I have long since lost the paperwork that came with it.

However, here is the battery part number which may help:

GP130AAHE2B1H

Other info on the battery pack:

NiMH Battery
2.4V 1300mAh
H9
I guess you might call it a "2 AA Model" as it appears to be 2 AA batteries bound together.

 

[Resqueline]

Ok, size AA is good info. I find the GP130AAHE cell datasheet but nothing on the assembled pack. Does it have solder flanges attached, and how are they configured?

 

[thundermasmacho]

 

[shrtrnd]

Your charging circuit is for NiMH, I wouldn't swap NiCads for it, because the charging
circuit parameters are different. The only reason you can't find 1300mAh NiMH's, is
because they have considerably higher capacities these days. You can use any NiMH,
that has a higher amp/hour capacity. If you're in the U.S., get the batteries from
All Electronics Corp in Van Nyes, CA, ....or any other elec supply shop. This is any
easy fix, you just need the right batteries or battery 'pack' (of two), that is readily
available from many places.

 

[thundermasmacho]

Brilliant!! Thank you so much.

I have a couple more questions for you then:

1. Just to clarify, 1300mAh means 1300 miliamps/hour correct?
2. Does the voltage make a difference then? Higher? Lower? Or should I definitely find one that is 2.4V?

Thanks again for all of your help.

Cheers,

-KS

 

[TBennettcc]

1300mAh means 1300 milliamp-hours. Which means it can supply a current of 1.3 amps (1300 milliamps) for one hour. Or 2.6 amps for 30 minutes (at least on paper). In real life, these things vary.

Rechargeable battery cells are usually 1.2v, hence, two in series give you 2.4v. It shouldn't be hard to find a 2.4v battery pack.

 

[thundermasmacho]

Thanks Tim, a really do appreciate it; my teeth and gums also thank you.

If you'd like to learn more about being a drunkard who lives in Portland, then please tune into Funemploymnet Radio: http://funemploymentradio.com/

Cheers,

-Kenny

 

[shrtrnd]

Like TBennettcc said, both NiCads and NiMH cells are typically designed for 1.2v.
The reason your battery pack is composed of two cells, is to reach the 2.4V needed
for your device. These days you're going to find replacement batteries at or above
2400mA/Hr. All that means, is your between-charge times will be less, because of
higher Amp Hour capacity of the newer batteries.