Battery testing for kid's school project

[revscott]

I need some quick recommendations and I hope you guys don't mind helping me out.

My daughter wants to test batteries for her 5th grade science project (her idea). As I have passed on my interest in flashlights to me kids, I have tried to teach them about batteries. I'm excited that she wants to learn, so I want to help her set up a good experiment.

We are thinking about just testing AA batteries. Showing the differences between alkaline, NiMH, and primary Lithium. The common brands that one can pick up at Walmart or local store. (I use eneloops at home, but I know those are not as well known to "normal" people)

My daughter wanted to use flashlights to test the various batteries.

What ideas do you guys have for running a "controlled" experiment? Keep in mind that she is in 5th grade.

What multimeter or battery tester would you guys recommend? All I have is a La Crosse BC-700. I don't mind investing in a more expensive multimeter, I just don't want it to be too complex for her to use.

What books or websites would you recommend for her to learn about battery chemistry and general battery info?

 

[Lexel]

Dont forget zink carbon batteries and NiCd

in a high drain flashlight you can show voltage drop between NiMh and ZnC very well

 

[HKJ]

The most interesting would probably be getting something that can log automatic. I.e. record a brightness or a voltage each 15 minutes, then she can draw curves showing how the batteries perform.
That means a flashlight and a logging luxmeter or a logging voltmeter, a AA battery holder and a 1.5V bulb or resistor (It is difficult to measure voltage inside a flashlight).

The problem is to find a cheap and simple logging solution.

 

[Lexel]

There is no need for a logging meter
she could start the experiment with different types of batteries, like in a 4 slot individual wiring holder with same bulb or resistor wired to each slot

then measure the Voltage at start of first slot, connect bulb measure again, another writes down the voltage in a table
then slot 2, 3, 4 in like 15s between the slots
then continously measure every 15 seconds slot 1, 2, 3, 4 so she gets for each slot 1 voltage every minute

that should be enough to draw a graph for each battery to campare

ideal would be a resistor for each battery that is close for 1C discharge

 

[revscott]

Lexel,

Can you direct me to a tutorial or example of how to build a simple setup like you are talking about? I am by no means an electronics expert. I just really like flashlights.

I am also looking for recommendations on books or websites for my daughter to learn about batteries.

 

[Lexel]

In this you can put 4 different cells
solder the load to each battery plus and minus
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-5V-4-AA-B...889841?hash=item2cada5deb1:g:3AYAAOSw9N1VzPep

you can use aa batteries and a 0.68 Ohm resistor
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-pack-2-wa...120260?hash=item255c2b20c4:g:xpUAAOSwUuFW1fFR

and a clock and dmm, for battery types you can use wikipedia for example

 

[HKJ]

There is no need for a logging meter

I doubt she has patience for doing multiple batteries, it takes a long time.

Look at the time scale on this curve:

There are more curves here: http://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/CommonAAcomparator.php

 

[revscott]

If we were going to use a flashlight (1AA) to test the longevity of the batteries, which ones would you recommend.

I'm thinking the L3 Illumination L10, but maybe too expensive.

Nite Ize 3-in-1 mini is around $10

Coast HP1 is on sale at amazon for around $10

 

[StandardBattery]

If we were going to use a flashlight (1AA) to test the longevity of the batteries, which ones would you recommend.

I'm thinking the L3 Illumination L10, but maybe too expensive.

Nite Ize 3-in-1 mini is around $10

Coast HP1 is on sale at amazon for around $10

Buy cheap... [h=1]XTAR WK50[/h]
$7.50 on Amazon.