How to Flash an Old Rechargeable Battery

How to Flash an Old Rechargeable Battery
Written By
Deb Katula
Deb Katula
Published: Mar 29, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read
  1. Look at the battery and if it's corroded at all, stop here because it can't be flashed.

  2. Ground the battery by hooking the black alligator clamp from the 12-volt battery charger to the negative end of the old nicad rechargeable battery. The negative end of a single cell battery is the flat end.

  3. Use the red alligator clamp to "flash" the old rechargeable battery. Tap the positive, or raised, end of the single-cell nicad rechargeable battery with the red alligator clip. Sparks may spray out of the ends of the battery during this process.

  4. Securely hold both the black and red alligator clamps to the battery for up to three seconds to complete the flashing process.

  5. Remove the alligator clamps. Retest the battery with a battery tester to see if it has been charged.

Tips

Take the necessary precautions to wear safety gear to protect your skin, eyes and handles during the flashing process.

Warnings

Mishandling the nicad rechargeable battery can cause battery acid leaks, a fire or even an explosion.

Photo Credits

batteries isolated on white background image by Nikolay Okhitin from Fotolia.com

Deb Katula

Deb Katula has written and researched for Societe Generale, FIMAT, Nikko Securities, Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Arthur Anderson. She holds an MBA in economics and finance from the University of Chicago; a Japanese language fellowship…

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.