Average battery capacities?

Zelandeth · Aug 8, 2003

Hmm, this has probably been posted before, but I didn't see anything with a quick glace..so thought I'd ask again...

What sort of capacity do commaon batteries have (Say, basic Duracells, just your typical alkaline cells), in AAA, AA, C, D, PP3 and so on...followed by lithiums (incluidng the more common coin cells if possible).

I could do with these figures at my disposal so that I could, when current usage is known figure out a rudimentary battery runtime when carrying out flashlight reviews - as my financial status ( /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/broke.gif ) doesn't really allow for me to burn through a good set of batteries for the sake of knowing how long they last!

Doug S · Aug 8, 2003

[ QUOTE ]
Zelandeth said:
What sort of capacity do commaon batteries have (Say, basic Duracells, just your typical alkaline cells), in AAA, AA, C, D, PP3 and so on...followed by lithiums (incluidng the more common coin cells if possible).

[/ QUOTE ]The answer to you question is very dependent upon temperature, discharge rate, and cutoff voltage. Your best bet is to study the datasheets for the cells of interest to you. Here are links for Duracell and Eveready battery data.
Duracell

Eveready

Zelandeth · Aug 8, 2003

Thanks, the datasheet from the Energizer site was exactly what I was looking for.

as I said, I'm not looking for EXACT figures really, it's just so that I can put down a ballpark estimate figure rather than "Not Yet Measured" for the runtime in my review pages until I do have a chance to test it.

RussH · Aug 8, 2003

I agree with Doug, there are too many variables - including freshness of the battery. This forum could probably come up with a "standard" for ball park calcs, tho. For instance, I used to use 1500mah for run-of-the-mill (cheap, on sale) alkalines & get fairly representative numbers. More or less constant is room temperature, less than 1 yr. on shelf, discharge down to 1.1v, fairly low rate of discharge (100-300ma).

That's close enough, also, for .75 or .8amp krypton bulbs & figuring an average 1.25 volts - depending on how dim you are willing to go. The radio cuts off when battery voltage (4 AAs) gets down to 1.125v/cell. That's actually more like 1.115, 1.124, 1.125, and 1.129 from positive to negative - one end runs down slightly more.

The reason I'm reconsidering is that these alkalines still outlast my 1800mah NiMH batteries in identical applications (low discharge, like my radio). The performance is enough different that it's hard to compare.

My 1800mah duracell batteries (NiMH @$.84 ea!, MECI has some @$.89) tested at about 1750mah - 1hr., 50 min. in my test light with a 1 amp bulb. I checked current about every 30 min. - the voltage was flat enough that .95 amp was constant after a minute or 2 for the bulb to warm up. I need to modify one of these cheap plastic 2 cell lights so I can leave my meter connected.

LitFuse · Aug 8, 2003

Battery page @ flashlight reviews

Peter

Tomas · Aug 8, 2003

[ QUOTE ]
LitFuse said:
Battery page @ flashlight reviews

[/ QUOTE ]
Once again I'm amazed at the amount of solid information at Quickbeam's site. I'd forgotten where I had see that table even though I'd used it before.

It is now solidly bookmarked. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks, LitFuse, and, of course, thanks, Quickbeam!