Maco's NIMH batteries have been tested to preform equally or better than most NICD batteries used today! Read below for more information

Nickel-metal hydride batteries were developed in the 1980's and are an environmentally friendly replacement to the Traditional battery NI-Cd, which contain Cadmium (which is extremely poisonous). Nickel-metal hydride batteries have a higher energy density and are normally 2 to 3 times smaller in size to the NI-Cd equivalents which reduce the costs associated with recycling NI-MH batteries.

• Smaller size than NI-CD, Reducing the waste by 2-3 times
• Doesn't contain the dangerous metal "CADMIUM" and ideally suited to applications which require reduction of hazardous substances
• Lower recycling costs due to volume
• Requires 0.05C chargers, which normally mean more energy efficient charging
• No memory effect
• Suited to Emergency Lighting Applications
• Proven performance and reliability
• IEC standard to in force minimum requirements and performance
• Equal or better performance to NICD batteries

High Temperature NI-MH batteries preform well over a wide temperature range

The Nickle-metal hydride batteries used by Maco lighting are proven to preform well at both high and low temperature [ in many cases better than the Ni-CD alternatives]. The following graphs show the temperature vs capacity comparisons of the Maco NI-MH battery.

 It can be see(above) that the capacity of the high temp Nickle-metal hydride battery at 70 degrees C retains 82% and at 60 Degrees C retains over 92% of it capacity which is better than most high temperature NiCD batteries

High Temperature NI-MH batteries have been designed for long life in Emergency lighting installations

The Nickle-metal hydride batteries used by Maco lighting have been proven time and again to last in long life charging tests, and have been tested to retain upto 5% more capacity after 4 years than industry leading high temperature NICD batteries

(above results of repeated 4 year tests on Maco's High temp Nickle Metal hydride batteries)

Why you should stay away from Nickel Cadmium (NI-CD) Batteries

Commonly used in Emergency Lighting, Nickel Cadmium Batteries are a popular and cost effective source of energy, however the effects of inappropriately disposing of batteries containing this known carcinogen are potentially lethal

Cadmium is a highly toxic metal and is hence unsuitable for disposal to landfill. It is readily absorbed by plant roots, and accumulates in fruit, vegetables and grass. From these sources, it can also build up in fish, animals and humans. Exposure to cadmium can be potentially lethal for both wildlife and humans, and the metal has been known to cause damage to the kidneys and intestinal tract, in addition to other life-threatening conditions such as cancer.

So high is the potential cost to the environment of improperly disposed of Nickel-Cadmium Batteries, the Environmental Protection Agency in Australia (EPA) specifically identified them as one of 16 ‘wastes of concern’ in its first Extended Producer Responsibility Priority Statement issued in 2004. Not only do NiCd batteries pose a threat to both the environment and the community, batteries using this technology tend to lose 20% of their charge per month, even when under no load. NiCd batteries are also prone to the “memory effect,” where a battery fails to fully recharge after being partially discharged and recharged.

Nickel Metal hydride batteries improved upon the older NiCd technology by replacing the toxic heavy metal cadmium with a hydride absorbing alloy. These batteries provide two to three times more capacity than NiCd and suffer less from the memory effect. Without the toxic metal cadmium, NiMh hydride batteries are safer for the environment, and for the community.