Questions & Answers for GP PowerBanks and NiMh rechargeable batteries

1	Can GP NiMh batteries compare with alkaline batteries?
	GP NiMh AA or AAA batteries will fit your appliance just like other alkaline batteries because they all conform to a standard industry-wide size requirement. GP NiMh batteries are particularly suitable for use with advanced multi-functional appliances that drain power very rapidly. For example digital cameras:GP NiMH batteries can outperform both standard alkaline and hi-tech alkaline batteries by delivering nearly 200% and 80% more pictures per single cycle respectively.
2	Is it true that GP PowerBanks can remain permanently plugged-in to the mains socket?
	Yes, GP PowerBanks are designed to remain plugged-in to the mains socket. Caution: use only GP NiMh rechargeable batteries with GP PowerBanks!
3	If GP PowerBanks are always plugged-in isn't that expensive?
	The current consumption of GP PowerBank is lower than 3 Watt per hour with batteries. The cost would be approximately £0.16 per month.
4	The batteries and charger get hot during charging, is that dangerous?
	No, it is normal for the batteries and charger to get hot during charging. With GP PowerBank and PowerBank 3, the increase in temperature will be minimal because of the low charging current. With GP PowerBank USB, it is recommended to remove the batteries after 7 hrs of charging to prolong the lifespan of the batteries. With GP PowerBank Ultra Smart, Smart II and Rapid the increase in temperature is higher as the charging current is greater. With GP PowerBank Smart II and Rapid the batteries and charger cool to the ambient temperature as the charger switches to trickle charge after the main charge has been completed. GP PowerBank Ultra Smart because of the rapid rate of charge has a built-in fan to reduce the temperature to ensure the optimum performance of the GP NiMh batteries.
5	Is it correct that GP NiMh rechargeable batteries can be recharged up to 1,000 times?
	Yes, up to 1,000 cycles are possible but there will be a gradual decrease in performance. After 500 cycles the batteries will have approximately 80% of their original capacity.
6	Can I charge other brands of rechargeable batteries in GP PowerBanks?
	GP PowerBanks can charge other brands of NiMh batteries but this is not recommended. For optimum performance and reliability it is recommended to use GP batteries. GP PowerBanks are not designed for charging alkaline or other non-rechargeable primary batteries.
7	My GP NiMh battery run out more quickly than I expected?
	After discharging batteries it is important to recharge the batteries for at least the minimum time indicated in the charging instruction. New batteries achieve optimum performance only after they have been charged / discharged 2 or 3 times. If your batteries have not been used for a few months they should also be recharged.
8	GP PowerBanks use NiMh batteries with a voltage of 1.2V. Are they adequate for appliances that are powered by standard 1.5V batteries?
	GP PowerBanks use NiMh batteries with a voltage of 1.2V. Are they adequate for appliances that are powered by standard 1.5V batteries? Yes, the voltage for a NiMh battery of 1.2V relates to the average voltage during discharge. The voltage of an alkaline battery initially at 1.5V will weaken to the level of a rechargeable battery after a short time. Only in exceptional circumstances will appliances fail to operate with NiMh rechargeable batteries.
9	Do GP NiMh batteries suffer from 'memory effect'?
	No, the so called memory effect is created by a chemical reaction of cadmium which is not present in NiMh rechargeable batteries.
10	Which GP rechargeable batteries can I charge in which GP PowerBanks and what are the charge times?
	Charging time in minutes   Type Size mAh 1-2 pcs 3 pcs 4 pcs   Ultra Smart GP NiMh AA 2500 42 42 42 2300 39 39 39       2100 36 36 36   2000 34 34 34   1800 32 32 32   1600 30 30 30   AAA 800 28 28 28   750 26 26 26   Smart II GP NiMh AA 2300 69 69 69       2100 66 66 66   2000 62 62 62   1800 60 60 60   AAA 800 48 48 48   750 45 45 45     GP NiCd AA 1000 72 72 72   800 58 58 58   700 50 50 50   600 43 43 43   AAA 300 54 54 54     Rapid GP NiMh AA 2000 160 255 345   1900 150 245 325   1800 140 230 310   1600 120 200 270   AAA 800 135 210 280     GP NiCd AA 1000 80 125 185   800 55 95 130   AAA 300 40 70 95     1 pc 2 pcs   GP NiMh 9V 170 510 1020   150 450 900     GP NiCd 9V 150 450 900     Charging time hrs   Type Size mAh 1-2 pcs 3 pcs 4 pcs               Quick II GP NiMh AA 2100 6hrs 6hrs 6hrs   Quick GP NiMh AA 2000 - - 8hrs   AAA 650 - - 8hrs     GP NiCd AA 600 - - 3hrs   AAA 300 - - 3hrs     PowerBank III GP NiMH AA 18hrs   AAA 18hrs   PowerBank GP NiMH AA 16hrs   AAA 16hrs   Mini PowerBank GP NiMH AA 16hrs   AAA 16hrs   USB GP NiMH AA 7hrs   New Universal GP NiMh AA 1300 5hrs Charger AAA 600 5hrs   C 2200 5hrs   D 2200 5hrs   9V 150 11-12hrs
11	Can GP PowerBanks charge batteries of different capacities?
	Only GP PowerBank Ultra Smart, Smart II and Rapid can charge batteries of different capacities at the same time. They each have intelligent individual channel charging technology which allows the charger to identify the charging regime required for each individual battery.
12	Can I use GP PowerBanks with a 12V DC lead?
	GP PowerBank Ultra Smart, Smart II and Travel are all designed with a 12V DC function All other GP PowerBank chargers are mains operated.
13	Can I use any 12V DC cord with my GP PowerBank charger?
	No, only a GP 12V DC lead should be used with PowerBank chargers. Smart requires a Ca 1,5A current. Universal cords are sometimes too fine, which could cause an overheating of the cord.
14	Can I use the GP PowerBanks in countries with a different mains current?
	GP PowerBank Ultra Smart, Smart II and Travel are designed for worldwide use AC100V-240V.
15	Can I use the USB cable supplied with GP PowerBank USB with any other products?
	Yes, the USB cable has been approved by UL so it can be used with other products such as a PDA.
16	Can the PowerBank USB charger recharge a lap top computer?
	No, GP PowerBank USB will only charge the NiMh batteries supplied with the charger. It will not charge the battery in the computer.
17	Do GP NiMh batteries contain hazardous materials?
	GP NiMh batteries contain no hazardous heavy metals such as cadmium, lead or mercury. The burden of disposal will be greatly reduced as one NiMh battery can replace up to 1,000 alkaline batteries.
18	Should I remove the batteries immediately from the GP PowerBank charger after the specified charging time? Will the GP PowerBank overcharge the batteries in continuous charging?
	No. GP PowerBanks are designed to safely charge GP NiMh batteries. The Ultra Smart, Smart II, Travel and Rapid all have built-in intelligent safety features to prevent overcharging. PowerBank Quick and PowerBank III have a safety timer. PowerBank and Mini PowerBank charge at a low current so will not damage the batteries if left in the charger.
19	What does mAh stand for on NiMh batteries?
	Milliamphere hours is a measure of the amount of energy stored in the battery. The higher the rating the greater the amount of energy stored in the battery. Please note that the capacity of some other brands of NiMh batteries will decline more rapidly than GP's as the batteries are charged / discharged over time.
20	Do NiMh batteries lose power when stored?
	All rechargeable batteries are subject to 'self-discharge' when in storage or unused in an appliance. The rate of discharge is approximately 1% per day but can vary according to the ambient temperature. To reduce the rate of self-discharge it is best to store batteries in a cool, dry place.