Twicell Info


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Twicell Information

What is a Nickel-Metal-Hydride Battery "Twicell"?

It's a secondary battery capable of charging and discharging that can save twice as much energy as an ordinary CADNICA battery. Twicell uses hydrogen absorbing alloys in its negative electrode (anode) and nickel oxide in its positive electrode (cathode). Since its release, the 1st in the world in October 1990, the "Twicell" sealed Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery has developed a strong reputation for high capacity, high performance and high quality. In November 1996, Sanyo was the 1st manufactures in the world to achieve 300 million cells accumulatively.

The HR-4/3AU (3,500mAh) is a new (volumetric energy density: 300Wh/l), first marketed in May 1996, that well exceeds the volumetric energy density of lithium-ion batteries. Sanyo plans to release another Twicell battery of even higher capacity (volumetric energy density: 340Wh/l) in the end of 1997. In addition, the new Twicell HR-4/3FAU(4,000mAh), released in September 1996, is specially designed for notebook computers, and has the same diameter (18mm) as the lithium-ion UR18650 battery.

Features
  • High volumetric energy density well exceeding that of Lithium-ion batteries. (HR-4/3AU and HR-4/3FAU)
  • Double capacity of standard CADNICA batteries.
  • Can be used over and over (more than 500 times with a specific charger).
  • 1.2~1.6 hour quick charge with a specific charger.
  • Compatible with Nickel-Cadmium batteries (almost same discharge voltage).
  • Produced under a ISO9002 certified quality control system .

Applications

  • Notebook computers
  • Cellular phones, PHS phones, telecommunications equipment
  • Video cameras, digital still cameras, PDA
  • Shavers, electric toothbrushes
  • Various portable equipment
Twicell? Batteries Handling Precautions

Carefully read this instruction section before using Twicell? batteries for the first time. Important: For your safety and that of your customers observe all cautionary information provided in this section. Save this section for future reference. The following information is intended to highlight potential safety hazards that can be associated with the misuse, misapplication or damage to Twicell? batteries. Please carefully evaluate the information in this section when using Twicell? batteries (single cell or packed cells) or when using or manufacturing equipment incorporating Twicell? batteries. This section is no substitute for your independent evaluation of equipment incorporating Twicell? batteries. Customers incorporating Twicell? batteries into their equipment must assure that their completed product has been properly designed, manufactured and tested. End users of equipment incorporating Twicell? batteries should also be provided with sufficient warnings and instructions on their safe operation. As appropriate, some or all of the following warnings and information should be incorporated by you into the instruction manual accompanying your equipment.

DANGER!

Failure to carefully observe the following procedures and precautions can result in leakage of battery fluid (electrolyte), heat generation, bursting, fire and serious personal injury!
  • Never dispose of Twicell? batteries in a fire or heat them. Doing so may melt the insulation, damage the gas release vents or protective devices, cause leakage of battery fluid (electrolyte), heat generation, bursting and fire.
  • Do not connect the + (positive) and - (negative) terminals of Twicell? batteries together with electrically conductive materials, including lead wires. Do not transport or store Twicell? batteries with their uncovered terminals or connected with a metal necklace or other conductive material. Doing so may short circuit a battery, which would result in excessive current flow and possibly cause leakage of battery fluid, heat generation, bursting and fire. When carrying or storing batteries, use a special case.
  • Only charge Twicell? batteries using those special chargers that satisfy SANYO's specifications. Only charge batteries under the conditions specified by SANYO. Failure to follow proper charging procedures may cause excessive current flow, loss of control during charging, leakage of battery fluid, heat generation and fire.
  • Never disassemble Twicell? batteries. Doing so may cause an internal or external short circuit or result in exposed material of battery reacting chemically with the air. It may also cause heat generation, bursting and fire. Also, this is dangerous as it may cause splashing of alkaline fluid.
  • Never modify or reconstruct Twicell? batteries. Protective devices to prevent danger are built into batteries (single cell or packed cells). If these are damaged, excessive current flow may cause loss of control during charging or discharging of the battery, leakage of battery fluid, heat generation, bursting and fire.
  • Never solder lead wires directly on to Twicell? batteries. The heat of the soldering operation may melt the insulation, damage the gas release vents or protective devices, cause leakage of battery fluid, heat generation, bursting and fire.
  • The positive (+) and negative (-) polarities of Twicell? batteries are predetermined. Do not force the terminal connection to a charger or equipment. If the terminals can not be easily connected to the charger or equipment, check if the (+) and (-) terminals are correctly positioned. If the terminals are reversed, during charging the battery may be drained rather than charged. Furthermore, reversed connections may cause abnormal chemical reaction in the battery, the flow of abnormal currents, leakage of battery fluid, heat generation, bursting and fire.
  • The gas release vent which release internal gas is located at the + (positive) section of the Twicell? battery. For this reason, never deform this section or cover or obstruct its gas release structure. If this section is deformed or covered or obstructed, the gas release vent will not function properly, possibly causing leakage of battery fluid, heat generation, bursting and fire.
  • Do not directly connect Twicell? batteries to a direct power source or the cigarette lighter socket in a car. High voltage may cause excessive current flow, leakage of battery fluid, heat generation, bursting and fire.
  • Do not use Twicell? batteries in any equipment other than those specified by SANYO. Depending on the equipment being used, doing so may cause abnormal current flow, leakage of battery fluid, heat generation, bursting and fire.
  • Twicell? batteries contain the strong colorless alkaline fluid (electrolyte). The alkaline fluid is extremely corrosive and will cause skin damage. If any fluid from a Twicell? battery comes in contact with a user's eyes, they should immediately flush their eyes and wash them thoroughly with clean water enough from the tap or another source and consult a doctor. The strong alkaline fluid can damage eyes and lead to permanent loss of eyesight.
  • When Twicell? batteries are to be incorporated in equipment or housed within a case, avoid sealed structures as this may lead to the equipment or case being damaged or may be harmful to users.
WARNING!
  • Do not apply water, seawater or other oxidizing reagents to Twicell? batteries, as this can cause rust and heat generation. If a battery becomes rusted, the gas release vent may no longer operate, and can result in bursting.
  • Do not connect more than 20 Twicell? batteries in series, as this may cause electrical shocks, leakage of battery fluid and heat generation.
  • Keep Twicell? batteries or the equipment out of the reach of babies and small children, in order to avoid them to swallow batteries. In the event the batteries are swallowed, consult a doctor immediately.
  • Do not charge or use Twicell? batteries with the + and - terminals reversed. Charging batteries with the terminals reversed may drain rather than charge the batteries, or it may cause abnormal chemical reaction in the batteries. Using batteries with the terminals reversed may cause the flow of abnormal currents, leakage of battery fluid, heat generation, bursting and fire.
  • Do not over-charge Twicell? batteries by exceeding the predetermined charging period specified by the battery charger's instructions or indicator. If Twicell? batteries are not fully charged after the battery charger's predetermined charging period has elapsed, stop the charging process. Prolonged charging may cause leakage of battery fluid, heat generation, bursting. Be sure to handle recharged batteries carefully as they may be hot.
  • Do not remove the outer tube from a battery or damage it. Doing so will expose the battery to the risk of a short circuit, and may cause leakage of battery fluid, heat generation, bursting and fire.
  • If Twicell? batteries leak fluid, change color, change shape, or change in any other way, do not use them, otherwise they may cause heat generation, bursting and fire.
  • Twicell? batteries contain the strong colorless alkaline fluid (electrolyte). If the skin or clothing comes in contact with fluid from Twicell? battery, thoroughly wash the area immediately with clean water from the tap or another source. Battery fluid can injure the skin.
CAUTION!
  • Do not strike or drop Twicell? batteries. Sharp impacts or concussions to Twicell? batteries may cause leakage of battery fluid, heat generation, bursting and fire.
  • Store Twicell? batteries out of the reach of babies and small children. When charging or using a battery, do not let babies or small children remove the battery from the charger or the equipment being used.
  • Children should not use Twicell? batteries unless they have been carefully instructed on the contents of this instruction section and their parents or guardians have confirmed that the children understand and appreciate the proper usage and safety hazards presented by the batteries.
  • Be sure to charge Twicell? batteries within a temperature range of 0 to 40°C (degrees Celsius). When used at temperatures outside this range (0 to 40°C) the batteries may cause leakage of battery fluid or heat generation. It could also impair performance or shorten operating life of Twicell? batteries.
  • Do not charge Twicell? battery when it has been cooled to 0°C or below. Doing so may cause leakage of battery fluid, impair performance or shorten operating life of Twicell? batteries.
  • Do not use or store battery at high temperature, such as in strong direct sunlight, in cars during hot weather, or directly in front of a heater. This may cause leakage of battery fluid. It could also impair performance and shorten operating life of Twicell? batteries.
  • Do not use old and new batteries mixed together, or batteries at different charge levels. Do not use the Twicell? battery mixed together with a dry cell or other battery of different capacity, type, or brand name. This may cause leakage of battery fluid and heat generation.
  • When more than two batteries are to be used together, charge them simultaneously prior to use. If they are not charged at the same time, it could cause leakage of battery fluid and heat generation.
  • Do not connect Twicell? batteries in parallel as this may cause leakage of battery fluid, heat generation, bursting and fire. For the recommended charging method for Twicell? batteries, read the battery charger's instruction manual carefully.
  • If Twicell? batteries do not perform or function well with certain equipment, refer to the instruction manual or warnings of the subject equipment.
  • Do not charge Twicell? batteries beyond the recommended time described in the instruction manual for charger or equipment. Over charging cause leakage of battery fluid, heat generation, bursting and fire. It could also impair performance and shorten operating life of Twicell? batteries.
  • Be sure to turn off the equipment after use of Twicell? batteries, as this may result in leakage of battery fluid.
  • After they have been removed from equipment, store Twicell? batteries in a dry place and within the recommended storage temperature range. This will help preserve the batteries' performance and durability and to minimize the possibility of leakage of battery fluid or corrosion. (For the indicated storage temperature range, refer to the rating table of this web-site. SANYO recommends a temperature range from -20 to +30°C for longer product life).
  • If corrosion, heat generation or other abnormalities are detected when using (new) Twicell? batteries, immediately stop using them and return them to the store that they were purchased from.
    If the Twicell? battery terminals become dirty, clean them with a soft dry cloth prior to use. Dirt on the terminals can result in poor contact with the equipment, loss of power, or inability to charge.

 

This page was last updated on Thursday August 16, 2001.