A method for charging and monitoring a rechargeable battery is proposed. The charging method includes charging a rechargeable battery, sensing temperature of said battery, and calculating temperature change rate. The method further includes sensing voltage of said battery after the temperature change rate reaches a predetermined value, calculating voltage change rate, and reducing current sent to the battery when the voltage change rate reaches a predetermined value. A second embodiment of the charging method may include charging a rechargeable battery, sensing temperature and voltage of said battery, and calculating temperature and voltage change rates. The method further includes sensing for a maximum voltage change rate after the temperature change rate reaches a predetermined value, and reducing current sent to the battery when the maximum voltage change rate is sensed. In addition, the method may include sensing for a minimum voltage change rate before sensing for the maximum change rate, wherein sensing for the maximum change rate would begin after the temperature change rate reaches a predetermined value or after the minimum voltage change rate is sensed.