GilAir-3 & GilAir-5 NiMH Batteries

Newly available nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery packs for GilAir-3 and GilAir-5 air sampling pumps are direct replacements for older nickel-cadmium (NiCad) battery packs. NiMH are environmentally friendly, extend run times, overcome lazy battery and battery memory problems, and are backward compatible using the same chargers*.

Nickel-cadmium batteries are the past standard power source to Industrial Hygiene instruments from personal monitoring pumps to multi-gas monitors. They are lightweight and reusable but carry significant disadvantages such as memory problems, the “lazy battery” issue and are unkind to the environment.

• Eliminate Memory Effect:
  A big advantage to the NiMH technology is the virtual elimination of the memory effect and the lazy battery issues. This is ideal for personal monitoring pumps, vastly reducing the potential of lost samples due to battery failure. Cycling the batteries between field tests is no longer necessary saving time, effort and the cost of battery maintenance systems.
• Extended Run Time:
  Given the same physical size battery, a NiMH battery has higher capacity than a NiCad and in most cases will produce a longer run time.
• Environmentally Friendly:
  NiCad batteries contain cadmium, which is a regulated substance under the government agencies worldwide, and cannot be disposed in landfills. NiMH batteries are environmentally friendly and do not pose a risk to the environment when being disposed.
• General Performance:
  NiMH batteries have a life span of approximately 500 charge cycles, and only lose about 1% of their charge per day when stored off the charger. They produce a flat discharge curve necessary for consistent instrument performance.

Upgrade your GilAir-3 or GilAir-5 to the new NiMH batteries packs in three steps:
1: Remove two lower screws on back-side of pump.
2: Remove old NiCad battery and replace with new NiMH battery.
3: Safely dispose of old battery.

* Use of NiMH batteries with BMS systems is not recommended.