Alkaline & NiMh Battery question.  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Russ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2017, 02:30:23 am
content: “Basic facts :The proper voltage for AA/AAA alkaline battery is 1.5VThe proper voltage for AA/AAA NiCd/NiMh rechargeable battery is 1.25 Volts”Is this true, and if so, why?ThanksRuss

author: ericloewe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 26, 2017, 03:37:52 am
content: "Proper voltage" is meaningless. The nominal voltage for alkaline cells is 1.5V, 1.2V for NiMH.What scenario are you looking at?

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2017, 03:54:35 am
content: Quote from: Russ on November 26, 2017, 02:30:23 amNo, it's not true. To find out why, examine the datasheets for different kinds of battery. For example:http://data.energizer.com/pdfs/e91.pdfhttp://eneloop101.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/HR-3UTGB.pdf

author: Russ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2017, 03:56:52 am
content: Thank you. I researched it too. I'll just stay with my Eneloop rechargeables for my AA & AAA battery needs. I will assume that my multimeter is a "low drain" device?

author: Russ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2017, 04:04:22 am
content: Quote from: IanB on November 26, 2017, 03:54:35 amThanks. My meter reading on my AAA Eneloop measured just above 1.4v. I'll assume that it will quickly drop down to around 1.2v, and hold steady until it is almost fully discharged?Russ

author: Hogwild
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2017, 04:24:07 am
content: Russ:Whatever works for you. I love my Eneloops too! Just know, however, that a lot of devices demand more power than an Eneloop will provide. Digicams, music players and other devices simply won't work at that voltage and demand 1.5 or higher voltage.

author: Russ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2017, 04:30:09 am
content: Quote from: Hogwild on November 26, 2017, 04:24:07 amVery true. But the Eneloops have performed quite well in my high drain, Nikon flash units too. I’ve shot entire weddings on one set of Eneloops with heavy and frequent use. I have not tried the newer Eneloop XX batteries yet. But I have heard that they perform quite well in high drain devices.Russ

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2017, 04:31:41 am
content: Quote from: Hogwild on November 26, 2017, 04:24:07 amIf that was true they wouldn't work on alkalines either. I've tested a few high power devices and they have always performed better on Eneloops than on alkaline batteries. The only issue is a few badly designed devices that have a low battery warning set too high. But these are not common. If you look at the discharge chart of Energizer alkaline that I linked to above, you will see that anything demanding 1.5 V or more would simply not work on alkaline or rechargeable batteries.

author: Russ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2017, 04:36:46 am
content: Quote from: IanB on November 26, 2017, 04:31:41 amMy high drain flash units perform much better with Eneloops or lithium’s installed. They blow away alkaline batteries.Russ

author: f5r5e5d
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2017, 05:52:36 am
content: there's also a LiFeS2 primary chemistry used in "1.5 V" AA, AAAhttp://data.energizer.com/pdfs/l91.pdf

author: ericloewe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 27, 2017, 12:31:43 am
content: NiMH cells have been the default solution for high-drain stuff like early digital cameras for ages, since their internal resistance is considerably lower than what is typical of alkalines.Eneloops, in particular, are held in very high regard. I've been moving away from alkalines wherever possible and exceedingly few devices actually have any issues (IIRC, only my wireless thermostat doesn't operate correctly).