Battery question...

[Javaman]

I checked and didn't see an electronics forum so I'm asking this question here and in one of the computer forums.

I have a solar powered keyboard that has a rechargeable "watch type" battery that is 3V. I ordered a replacement and was given the wrong one. The one I received is 3.6V.

My question is: will having a rechargeable battery of a higher voltage do damage to my keyboard?

I wish I could give more specifics but I'm no electronics guy.

Thanks in advance.

[SummerSnow]

1. I found this websites for you about batteries you can ask questions on

http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/9322/combining-and-charging-multiple-lithium-ion-battery-cells-with-a-voltage-of-3-6

I hope the site helps

[Javaman]

2. Thanks, I'll give it a shot. nt

[tech3149]

4. Regarding the referenced link and the information available there

It is very generic and lacking on critical issues. I use Lithium-polymer for model aircraft power sources. It isn't very safe to charge the li-po by the same methods as other battery types. They require charging at a constant current regimen that is a function of the battery storage capacity. For the OP, the battery received will probably work fine but not to full capacity.

[Callmecrazy]

3. Your keyboard should be fine...nt

[tech3149]

5. The original battery was probably of nickle-ferrite construction

The one you received is a lithium-ion. The higher voltage should do no damage to the keyboard. The only problem might be the recharging differences. Lithium Ion cannot be charged beyond a certain voltage without damaging the battery. Since the original is 3V I doubt the charging circuit could do any damage.
Did you order the replacement from the manufacturer or a generic battery supplier? If you ordered the battery by the type # they should be equivalent.

[eppur_se_muova]

6. Because the charger is so much lower voltage than the battery ...

you will probably find that the battery is only able to maintain a very low charge -- nearly dead.

Once you have used the keyboard for long enough to run down the battery, you may find you have no standby power to speak of.

[DetlefK]

7. You won't be able to recharge the 3.6 V battery to 100%.

A battery stores energy by storing electric charge. To force a certain charge Q into the battery you need a certain voltage U. The ratio Q/U is the capacity of the battery.

A 3V-battery needs 3V to get to 100%. A 3.6V-battery recharged on 3V won't deliver 3.6V because you won't be able to refill it to 100%. It will only recharge to 85% and it will only be able to deliver 3V.



(Educated guess from physics-knowledge.)