Memory Effect NiCd : The term "memory" basically is described as the battery "remembers" its usual discharge point and superficially "needs" a charge whenever it hits that point. In other words, if you have a NiCd that always gets discharged to only 50% of its capacity, it will eventually not run below that 50% mark if you ever wanted to discharge it to a lower point. Many people who do not know about this effect just throw away the battery because they think it is dead. More than likely, the battery can revived providing that the battery isn't completely damaged (i.e. from years of memory buildup). The most simple way to get rid of memory is to discharge the battery to 1.0 volts per cell (VPC) on a minimal load, and then charge it fully. Repeat this procedure until you notice the battery lasting longer and longer on the drain, until it holds its correct capacity and not the "memorized" one. Unfortunately, unless you have good equipment, it is hard to discharge to 1.0 VPC without accidentally "reversing" a cell. Now, if you were only working on one cell at a time, discharging to 1.0 VPC would be easy, but most batteries nowadays for cellular phones and such are multiple cells in a plastic case. This makes it hard to get every cell to 1.0 VPC. No batteries are created equal, and what will most likely happen in a multi-cell battery is that one or more of the cells will "reverse" because they are weaker than the other cells. The reversed cell begins to accept a "backwards" charge from the other better charged cells around it. This is really bad for a battery if you don't catch it, because chances are it won't charge again while in the pack. If you are going to discharge a pack and you cannot open it to test individual cell voltages, please discharge to approximately 1.2 VPC. This will help prevent reversing cells. If you do reverse a cell and can access each individual cell, I have found that giving that cell about 4.5 volts (up to 1 A current) in the right direction, it will probably set itself straight. Measure the voltage of the cell after the "shock" charge. If it doesn't improve, try again. If you are still unsuccessful, try a higher voltage. I've needed 9 volts in some cases to get a cell working again. Once you get the cell at > 1.2 volts, immediately put the pack on charge now so that battery won't have time to reverse again. Charge the pack fully for 24 hours on a trickle charge to make sure that the reversed cell(s) have recovered fully. Also note that the once-reversed cell will never be the same. It will now always be the first one to reverse in the pack, so you might want to be aware of that when you try to discharge/cycle it in the future. Remember this: if you treat your battery well from the beginning by never letting it acquire memory, you won't have to worry about these weird procedures. Also, remember that all batteries have an expected life. NiCds have a life of approximately 1000 cycles as long as they are treated very well. So, if your battery is really old and doesn't hold a charge anymore, chances are it's not memory, but a tired battery. Let it retire at a recycling center.

Tumi Asbe Bolei

NILANJANA

NILANJANA

Tumi ar nei se tumi

Bangla Song By S.D.Burman : Tumi Aar Nei Se Tumi.

The Colour of Love

Most of the time I used to be out of mind while standing in the bus stand. Seldom get destructed from my ham-fisted thought. Many things happen around me in this rush hours but I did not budge out by those activities. It is quite normal in my life style.

On 10th Feb 2010, I started my morning as usual like other days but it was with different stroke. I was destructed, from my un-mindful state, by the tumult, while I was in the Bus stand. It was a middle aged graceful lady who is striding fast along with other morning walker with a bag. The unusual thing was that, all the street dogs are following her. As if she is the Lady Pied piper leading a canine pageant. She was continuously conversing as well as scolding the impatient dogs with specific name loudly. It is indeed a matter of surprise for me that our street dogs too are called with love in distinct name. That too with all western name like Daisy, Tommy etc. And the mode of conversation? Guess! - It is in English. Any body will be astonished with this state of affair, that our street dogs too can follow English.

The lady halted a bit away from me and asked all the dogs to be polite as if they are all her disciples. Then fetched out few small bowls and placed one by one with some costly fresh doggy foods. Even she has taken out a bottle of milk and poured on the bowl very passionately. I watched the smile of satisfaction in her face when the dogs were relishing the food. At the end she washed all the bowls one by one and put it back in her bag and stride past in search of other dogs in other locality.

I do not know why she is so inclined for street canine and why she kept the English name for them. May be she has a grudge or may be encountered with harsh behavior from the English people and in this way she is giving solace to her inner soul. What ever it may be , she has shown her deep love and affection for those hapless street dogs whom we always neglected.

Coincidentally Valentines Day was just knocking at the door and all are preparing how to express their love. Love can be expressed in many ways. It only depends on the mind set of the beholder. This expression of love of the lady may be one of the ways to celebrate the day of love I presume. I admire the courage dedication and determination of the lady for this unusual act. My salute once again for her.