Difference between revisions of "Alkaline battery"
(Category:) |
(→High power use: clrify high drain use) |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
==High power use== | ==High power use== | ||
| − | Alkalines feature much greater capacity than the [[zinc carbon battery]]. However delivered capacity depends greatly on load current with alkalines, and high drain apps dramatically reduce the capacity they can deliver | + | Alkalines feature much greater capacity than the [[zinc carbon battery]]. However delivered capacity depends greatly on load current with alkalines, and high drain apps dramatically reduce the capacity they can deliver, reducing battery life. Alkalines do perform to their full potential with low and medium drain use. |
| − | For high drain applications, Nicad | + | This effect makes the use of battery adaptors, which allow a smaller battery than intended to be used, a false economy. |
| + | |||
| + | For high drain applications, Nicad & NiMH deliver as much or greater capacity with a fraction of the run cost. | ||
===Ultra batteries=== | ===Ultra batteries=== | ||
Revision as of 23:08, 18 June 2009
Voltage
Initially upto 1.6v per cell. Voltage drop is approx linear over the battery's life, so life can be estimated by measuring off load voltage.
High power use
Alkalines feature much greater capacity than the zinc carbon battery. However delivered capacity depends greatly on load current with alkalines, and high drain apps dramatically reduce the capacity they can deliver, reducing battery life. Alkalines do perform to their full potential with low and medium drain use.
This effect makes the use of battery adaptors, which allow a smaller battery than intended to be used, a false economy.
For high drain applications, Nicad & NiMH deliver as much or greater capacity with a fraction of the run cost.
Ultra batteries
'ultra' 'extra' 'plus' etc alkaline batts are sold for high power use. These have capacity affected less by high drain to some extent, so last somewhat longer. However the cost is even higher.
Low power use
Alkalines are ideal for low & medium drain apps, where they can give much longer service life than ZnC, and avoid risk of leakage.
Other info
Alkalines rarely leak, so don't cause the damage to appliances sometimes seen with zinc carbon.
Shelf life is longer than ZnC.