Rechargeable batteries

[AndiFlatland]

Can those tiny button batteries, or lithium or NiCad batteries, etc. be recharged? If not, why not? And if they can, where does one get a recharging unit? I use quite a lot of them in various devices, and it would save a good deal of cash to be able to recharge them!

[pug100]

Hi Andy,
The small button (or coin) cells are usually lithium or silver oxide, NiCad is used in larger batteries such as AAA and above .
The only rechargeable lithium types I've seen have tags on and are for pcb mounting used in computers, they are recharged while the computer is on.
I don't think that you can buy such things to recharge yourself.

[Fitzer]

Make sure you aren't paying too much for the ones you are using, I use http://www.budgetbatteries.co.uk/ postage makes buying one or two impractical but if you use a lot then their prices are very good.

[AndiFlatland]

Thanks pug100... and for pointing out my blunder about NiCad.
I wasn't aware of the ones used in computers, but then I don't have one, so I don't really know about what goes on inside them!
And Fitzer, I'm grateful to you for the tip. I shall have a look at their site at some stage, and hopefully save something on the high prices my local shops charge for one or two.

Shame they can't be recharged, though. I always hate throwing them away - I understand it's not entirely environmentally friendly.