Reverse charged NiMHs?

[pseudonomen137]

Okay, well this is a bad question to be asking in any case, but does anyone know what the consequences are of charging some NiMH batts in reverse (by accident!). We're talking a 6 cell series pack rated for 7.2V nominal, that now reads in at -2.63V ( ;D). If this thing were now hooked up correctly, is there any chance it would still work? Effects on lifetime, etc? Thanks in advance

 

[SenKat]

Pretty damned lucky it didn't explode on you, man

If it is actually NOT melted at this point, hook it back up the regular way, and charge it again....I would, to be on the safe side - seperate the charger and batts from anything else if at all possible - like put it in the kitchen sink (with no water, obviously ! LOL) where if it does happen to have bad issues, it will not damage anything. Batts with a negative charge CAN be safely charged, though - they are not Li-Ion or Li-Polymers - so the expectation of explosion is minimal, if at all

 

[a_pyro_is]

I killed a 6V pack that way about a month ago. I tried to give it a Slow charge, but it never would hold the 6V. It always dropped right down to 3-4V as soon as it was off the charger. I don't know if a couple charge/discharge cycles would have helped, I just sent it to be recycled and bought a new one.
What capacity what this battery? I've a couple small ones sitting around here no idea how old they are though... :-?