How can a battery charge and operate simultaneously?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the operation of batteries that charge while simultaneously powering a device. Participants explore the mechanisms involved in this process, questioning how current can flow in opposite directions for charging and discharging.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about how a battery can charge while operating, noting the apparent contradiction in current flow direction.
  • Another participant suggests that in certain scenarios, such as automotive applications, the load can draw power directly from the charger instead of the battery, provided the current is sufficient.
  • A participant reiterates the initial question about the simultaneous operation and charging of a battery, asking for a circuit diagram to clarify the explanation.
  • Further inquiry is made regarding how reversing the current for recharging does not interfere with the battery's ability to power a device at the same time.
  • One participant asserts that the charger manages the current flow, indicating that the battery acts as an additional load while the charger maintains the necessary voltage.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mechanics of simultaneous charging and operation, with no consensus reached on the specifics of how this occurs.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of charging and discharging, as well as the specific conditions under which these processes occur simultaneously.

radaballer
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How does a battery charge while it is operating? Just out of curiosity. I cannot figure out how this could possibly work if charge must travel from anode to cathode in order to operate the device, but must travel the opposite direction in order to recharge.
 
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As far as I understand it, (at least in light-load automotive cases) the load simply takes the power directly from the charger while it's attached to the battery rather than using the cells as an intermediary, as long as the required current is available. In any case, it's simply a matter removing chemical potential energy while adding more. To make an analogy, it's sort of like refuelling your gas tank while the car is running.
 
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radaballer said:
How does a battery charge while it is operating? Just out of curiosity. I cannot figure out how this could possibly work if charge must travel from anode to cathode in order to operate the device, but must travel the opposite direction in order to recharge.
Can you doodle us a circuit to show what you are describing?
 
OmCheeto said:
Can you doodle us a circuit to show what you are describing?

If recharging means simply reversing the current, how can the cell send charge through the device simultaneously?
 

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radaballer said:
If recharging means simply reversing the current, how can the cell send charge through the device simultaneously?
It does not. The charger takes care of that. The battery is like an additional load (and the charger keeps it above the voltage it would supply).
 
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