On Wednesday, Oct 30, 2002, at 14:50 Europe/London, Philip Stortz wrote: > (i've never seen a good explanation of why "memory" happens, and i've > read some tech literature from battery makers that say it happens, but > not how or why..)
Since batteries essentially work by electron exchange between 2 different compounds it seems logical to me the 'memory' is related to the fact that the electrons become bonded to the compound if left on the charged side for too long. These bonds are, as they are by nature fighting against equilibrium, weaker than the bonds of the electrons normally associated with the chemical compound and so can be over come if given a good reason to (like a high drain on the battery (no DON'T short the terminals that'll just kill it) and thus the memory can be erased. NiCad batteries are worst for this, hence why NiCads in early Powerbooks are often dead or nearly dead if the user didn't fully drain and recharge the battery regularly, which lest be honest no one tends to do on a laptop. I often considered finding the pin-out for the battery on my ibook and attaching a motor to it to run it right flat and charging it up again to see if it makes it last any longer..... -- Mark Benson AIM - SilValleyPirate Visit FlatPackMacs online: <http://fpm.gotdns.com> "...you have a social security number, you pay your taxes, and you help your landlady carry out her garbage." -The Matrix -- G-List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- We have Apple Refurbished Monitors in stock! | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-List list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:g-list@;mail.maclaunch.com> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:g-list-off@;mail.maclaunch.com> For digest mode, email: <mailto:g-list-digest@;mail.maclaunch.com> Subscription questions: <mailto:listmom@;lemlists.com> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
