Rewrapping NiMH; Necessary or not?

[Schokokeks]

Now that my Storacell holders have torn some of the wrappers on some of my Eneloops, I've been looking into the idea of re-wrapping them.

NiMH batteries seem to not use the same wrapper as Li-ion cells; it's more of a sticker than a PVC shrinkwrap.

I've seen some folks online say that NiMH batteries are perfectly safe to use without any wrapping, and that it's just a label, really.
Other people say the exact opposite.
I've seen some people say you can just slap some Scotch tape on it, and it's fine.
Others swear you must use electrical tape (which I would think would gum up and become a mess).
I've seen some people say you just slip a PVC shrink tube for a 14500 over it.
Others insist you must remove the original, damaged wrap first.

I don't really see any posts on this topic from searching, so what thinks CPF?
Worth the hassle?
Necessary?



Interestingly, despite the fact I've been using rechargeable AA batteries since the 90's, I've never had a situation where I've needed to rewrap one, yet.

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

Wow. I've never heard this subject come up before.

I would think that if you wanted to re-coat it, the heat shrink tube would give you the neatest cover of anything. That would be my preferred method, although I have no idea if it is needed or not. Probably would depend on your application.

 

[Schokokeks]

It was funny that I realized, in like ~30 years of using rechargeable AA and AAA's, I'd never had this happen before, haha.

I was thinking along your lines, too, AT THE LEAST, having a couple re-wrapped into a neat, bright color might be handy every now and then. Though, I'd probably just end up accidentally thinking they're a 14500, hahaha.

 

[MidnightDistortions]

I have an old AA 2500mah Energizer Nimh battery where the wrapper is coming off. I had taped it earlier but its coming loose. It used to fit in this AA Minimag but not anymore.

 

[Schokokeks]

I have an old AA 2500mah Energizer Nimh battery where the wrapper is coming off. I had taped it earlier but its coming loose. It used to fit in this AA Minimag but not anymore.

That's why the tape idea seemed a bit suspect to me. I'm wondering if the damaged cells will just become designated ones for oversized areas...

 

[Lips]

Use Finger Nail Polish over small places with gaps or to keep wrap down...

 

[sbslider]

Use Finger Nail Polish over small places with gaps or to keep wrap down...

good recommendation. super glue would likely work also.

Depending on the where you are using them, you likely could do nothing. The case is the same potential as the negative terminal of the cell.

I have a rather old light blue cell that has some areas where the wrapper is damaged, including the top edge adjacent to the positive terminal. I measure the same potential from the metal at the damaged wrapper to the positive terminal as I do from the negative terminal to the positive terminal.

It's hard to imagine an application, unless there are several cells in series that are touching, where having the wrapper exposed would matter. YMMV.

 

[Schokokeks]

Use Finger Nail Polish over small places with gaps or to keep wrap down...

That's not a bad idea at all.

good recommendation. super glue would likely work also.

Depending on the where you are using them, you likely could do nothing. The case is the same potential as the negative terminal of the cell.

I have a rather old light blue cell that has some areas where the wrapper is damaged, including the top edge adjacent to the positive terminal. I measure the same potential from the metal at the damaged wrapper to the positive terminal as I do from the negative terminal to the positive terminal.

It's hard to imagine an application, unless there are several cells in series that are touching, where having the wrapper exposed would matter. YMMV.

Interesting. That's what I'd read, and I think it's likely the case that the positive is really all that needs to be isolated.

I either lost or broke my multimeter, and really need to suck it up and buy another one, haha.

 

[MidnightDistortions]

That's why the tape idea seemed a bit suspect to me. I'm wondering if the damaged cells will just become designated ones for oversized areas...

Granted that battery is a bit aged and probably won't power said minimag, but even taped over numbered Eneloops have trouble fitting it. Found even with taped Energizer batteries i also have they fit but they're newer. Forgot that I even bought them so some can work in it, had them in my Nitecore EA81 light but also have some Duracell ones for it too. The light is rarely used but when you have a ton of other lights 2150 lumens is a bit overkill unless you're looking to light up a field at night.

That being said if the batteries without wrapper protection are not touching other batteries or metal I personally wouldn't mind and keep it with the device that wrecked the wrapper in the first place. Additionally if the batteries are already worn out then might as well buy new ones. I have 11 year old AA Eneloops and debating on whether to get new ones, old ones work fine though.

 

[IMA SOL MAN]

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."