Apparatus for automatically conditioning rechargeable batteries

A circuit for conditioning a battery having a casing and battery charging terminals for charging the battery from an external power source and further having an internal battery temperature sensing safety alarm circuit, said conditioning circuit contained within the battery casing and comprising:

• discharging means for discharging the electrical charge of a battery;
• switching means, coupled to the internal battery temperature sensing safety alarm circuit and to the battery charging terminals and to said discharging means for automatically selecting between a first state disabling the internal battery temperature sensitive safety alarm circuit and preventing the battery charging terminals from providing charging access to the battery and coupling said discharging means to the battery for discharging the battery as long as the battery voltage is above a predetermined voltage level, and a second state enabling the internal battery temperature sensing safety alarm circuit and disconnecting said discharging means from the battery whenever the battery voltage is at or below said predetermined voltage level and enabling the battery charging terminals for providing charging access to the battery, said switching means including a voltage sensitive latching circuit means responsive to the battery voltage level, for holding said switching means in said first or said second state, and further including user controlled override circuit means for selectively manually toggling said switching means between said first and second states;
• and,
• indicator means coupled to said switching means for providing a signal indicating whether said switching means is in said first state or said second state.