Cut Down Power Consumption When Using Electric Razors

August 12th, 2010

Having even just a single electric razor in your home is already more than convenient. However, using mens electric shavers can make your electric consumption increase a bit. Electric razors have been in the market for so long. Nevertheless, they haven’t absolutely replaced simple razors though.

Both men and women have switched from using simple shavers into using mens electric shavers to remove facial hair. These electric razors have rotating blades held by a punctured metal foil which prevents the blades from touching the skin. The rotating blades remove facial hair.

Using a mens electric shaver or razor, you don’t have to apply shaving foams, shaving soaps, and shaving creams on your face. Thus, this helps you keep the money in your pocket–money that you would otherwise use for these additional shaving products. Electric razors only require electricity so that it functions properly. Although you can keep your money instead of buying creams and foams for shaving, it goes to your electricity bills. But, it does give you a very satisfactory job, as well. After shaving with a mens electric razor, you get a very smooth face.

To save electric consumption due to your use of an electric razor, you need to keep the electric shaver clean. If it is full of facial hair, it will start to decline in performance and will not function well. Thus, it hinders its output quality and you just keep on shaving and shaving until you get the satisfaction of a smooth face. This makes you consume twice the electricity needed. Cleaning you razor makes it as efficient as a brand new product.

Also, if you are not using your electric razor, you need to turn it off, and most importantly, unplug the appliance from the electrical outlet. When it is still attached to the electrical outlet, it still consumes electricity even if it is turned off, especially if it has light indicators and such other minor features that all add up to what is known as phantom usage of electricity.

There are also mens electric razors that provide an energy storage system. You can charge the electric razor beforehand and use it without consuming direct electricity then. In addition to this, if your electric razor can be powered by AC batteries, you should use batteries once in a while to conserve electricity. You just need to choose the batteries that last longer. Scrutinize the life of the battery.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can help cut down on your power consumption–or at least make efficient use of your electricity–when using mens electric shavers for shaving facial hair.

Pros and Cons of Using Li-Ion Batteries

July 1st, 2010

Lithium-ion batteries are one of the several kinds of rechargeable batteries used for powering mens electric shavers. However, unlike the cylindrical disposable batteries that are commonly seen all around, these batteries are rechargeable and are also commonly found in notebook computers and cellular phones. They also come in all sorts of sizes and shapes.

The element that these batteries have is lithium. It is the lightest metal and possesses the greatest electrochemical potential of all the metals. For this reason, Lithium-ion batteries have become a hit in the battery and power industry. However, lithium is an unstable metal. That is why, for safety reasons, lithium ion batteries use lithium ions instead of actual lithium metal.

One very good advantage of using the Li-ion batteries is that they have high-energy capacity. This means that for the same amount or volume of active material component, Li-ion batteries can store more power. More power, of course, means longer use for your electric razor.

Second, unlike other batteries, Li-ion batteries have no memory-effect issues. Unlike nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries, Li-ion batteries retain their maximum energy capacity despite being recharged after they are not yet drained of working power. This means that Li-ion batteries hardly degrade its performance even if you recharge them while they have partial power left. Li-ion batteries can also withstand extreme temperatures and environmental stimuli such as shocks and vibrations.

Lastly, Li-ion batteries have a low self-discharge rate. This means that they lose some power when they are not in use, but not at a very fast rate or not as fast as other battery types.

What is the downside to using Li-ion batteries with your mens electric shavers?

The first major disadvantage is that Li-ion batteries are quite expensive. Between a disposable battery and a Li-on battery of the same voltage and size, the price of a Li-ion battery can range anywhere from two to four times the price of the disposable battery. Yet, if you view this issue from a long-term perspective, you only need to purchase Li-ion batteries once every after a long time. So, although they are expensive, the cost may actually be a good long-term investment.

The second downside to using Li-ion batteries with your electric razor is that they can become dangerous when a short circuit occurs and causes very rapid discharge. However, if you exercise proper caution and care when using your Li-ion battery-run electric shavers, you wouldn’t need to worry much about their being fire hazards or explosives.

The last disadvantage of Li-ion batteries is their life span. The normal life span of Li-ion batteries is somewhere within three to five years. But, were you even thinking of a perpetual supply of renewable power? A three-year lifespan is good enough, compared the the one-year or two-year life spans of the other rechargeable battery types such as the NiCd and NiMH batteries.

In summary, the advantages of using Li-ion batteries outweigh their disadvantages. For this reason, you might want to consider using Li-ion batteries for your mens electric shavers.

Pros and Cons of Using NiMH Batteries

June 30th, 2010

Among the mens electric shavers models that use rechargeable batteries, the two most commonly used these days are NiMH batteries and Li-ion batteries. In the past years, NiCd batteries have also been used, but they are starting to fall out of fashion, and NiMH batteries have replaced NiCd rechargeables.

NiMH or nickel-metal hydride batteries have higher capacity than the NiCd or nickel-cadmium batteries did. NiMH batteries don’t suffer from the so-called memory effect that plagued NiCd batteries. The NiMH batteries of Thomas Distributing and C. Crane are expensive because they have the highest competence compared to other NiMH batteries.

The NiMH batteries have replaced the NiCd batteries because of some environmental issues. NiMH batteries are safer than NiCd batteries. This is why consumers are encouraged to purchase NiMH than NiCd.

NiMH batteries are usually used in digital cameras, mens electric shavers, and high-drain tools such as digital clocks. NiMH batteries are not suitable for emergency flashlights or smoke detectors. NiMH batteries can’t be used on devices that require four or more batteries to make the device work. This is because NiMH batteries put out less voltage; that is, they put out 1.2 V rather than 1.5 V. Although this is the case, it might work on some other devices. It’s worth a try.

While alkaline batteries lose voltage at a steady rate, NiMH batteries tend to maintain much of their voltage and then suddenly drop. This gives you a hard time in determining the accurate level of battery life that NiMH batteries have.

In addition, NiMH batteries are effective all-around batteries, however they also have a rapid rate of self-discharge. Self-discharge refers to the batteries’ ability to lose power even when not in use. Because of self-discharge, NiMH batteries are rendered unusable after a few months of being dormant and being inactive.

NiMH batteries are inexpensive compared to other batteries. Their performance and voltage is tantamount to that of primary alkaline battery cells.

Unlike NiCd, NiMH batteries need a more intricate charge algorithm. Consequently, they create more heat when charging and also need a longer time to recharge. Temperature also affects the performance of the NiMH battery. In high temperature areas, performance declines.

In sum, NiMH batteries are good for use with your mens electric shavers for reasons already discussed in this article. Though some other more expensive battery types may work better (for example, Li-ion batteries), NiMH batteries are well within acceptable levels in terms of price range and performance.