🔍 Key Concepts

• Lead-acid vs. Edison (nickel-iron) cell construction and how each handles overcharge or abuse • What happens to positive and negative plates when current flows in the wrong direction • Effect of temperature on battery damage mechanisms during charging

💭 Think About

• For each cell type, ask: if I try to charge it backwards, what is happening chemically at the plates? Does that tend to be reversible or permanently damaging? • Consider which type of cell is generally known for being more rugged and tolerant of abuse, and which one is more sensitive to incorrect charging. • Ask yourself why the question specifically mentions 115°F. Would temperature alone really make a reversed-polarity condition harmless?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify which cell type (lead-acid or Edison) is generally considered more tolerant of deep discharge and overcharge, but not necessarily of reverse polarity. • Check whether any reputable battery guidance says that reversed polarity charging can be considered “no damage” for either cell type, or if it is typically classified as a damaging fault condition. • Think carefully about whether temperature limits (like 115°F) normally appear as a condition for safe reverse-polarity charging, or more for normal charging and operation limits.