Recelling lithium-ion camera batteries and comparison with alternative battery chemistries

Gear

ZephyrCan I fly my Alexa or RED on a Zephyr?389

Master SeriesIs a used Master Series rig worth buying as a first big rig?191

BFDHow do I power my BFD receiver from my camera or sled?186

VoltCan I retrofit a Volt onto my existing sled or gimbal?168

ArtemisHow do I power my camera and accessories from an Artemis sled?166

MDRWhere can I mount my Preston MDR on my rig?143

ModulusIs there a Modulus option for HD wireless video?141

G-70Will my G-70 fit my vest, gimbal or sled?126

FI+ZCan I control iris and zoom wirelessly, not just focus?60

HU3Where can I get my HU3 repaired, refurbished or repainted?60

CineLiveHow do I pack and case my CineLive rig for transport?54

G-70XHow does the G-70X compare to Pro Titan, Xarm and other arms?46

Trinity 2Is Trinity 2 SUP 3.0 firmware safe to install or buggy?46

Ultra VestWhich vest should I choose for my body size, comfort and operator type?39

2004Batteries/Power forum

22 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

Lithium-ion batteries cannot be economically recelled because the cases are hermetically sealed for safety compliance, individual cells must be matched and balanced, and the circuit board requires specific programming, making the total cost of replacement equal to or exceeding the cost of a new battery.
Lithium-ion batteries rated at approximately 500 charge cycles can exceed this rating when properly maintained by topping off the charge before the battery is fully depleted.
Lithium-ion batteries perform better than nickel-metal hydride batteries, which are rated for 250-300 cycles, and both outperform the memory effect limitations of older chemistries.
Nickel-cadmium batteries can deliver higher discharge currents than lithium-ion or nickel-metal hydride batteries when cameras demand sudden high power draw during ramping to high frame rates.
For cameras with intermittent heavy power demands, nickel-cadmium batteries in series configurations can supply sufficient voltage and current stability where lithium-ion batteries may exhibit voltage sag.
Regional availability affects practical battery choices, with nickel-cadmium NP-1 style batteries being inexpensive and widely available in some markets.
Proper lithium-ion battery care includes charging before complete discharge and avoiding repeated deep drains, which extends usable cycle life.

The comparison of lithium-ion versus nickel-cadmium performance for high-demand cameras is based on experiences from the early 2000s; battery technology has likely improved since then.
Specific camera models and power requirements varied across user setups, so results may not generalize to all equipment.
The claim that nickel-metal hydride batteries did not perform well under heavy load was reported as outdated information by the time of discussion.
Battery pricing and availability were region-specific and tied to local markets.