current???????

[offroadcmpr]

I don't remember much about my electricity, so I need some clarification. so if you put two batteries in series the volts doubles, while the amps remains the same?
if you put two batteries in parallel, the voltage remains the same, while the amperage doubles?
I guess I am just looking at the battery comparisons and I am trying to figure out what a 1/2 amp load or a 2 amp load means. so if a AA alkaline is rated at doing well at 1 amp, adding another AA in series makes the voltage go up to around 3 volts, but each battery is still drawing 1 amp each? so to relieve the pressure off a battery, you would want to put them in parallel so they would each draw 1/2 amps, but have only 1.5 volts?
sorry if this has been said before or if it doesn't make much sense.

 

[legtu]

Let's say a bulb is rated @ 3v and draws 2 amps. Using 2 alkalines in series would give us the right voltage but it won't be able to sustain that much current draw. In those cases, we need to place another 2 alkaline(in series) and place it in a parallel connection with the original 2.

Using this configuration, you get 3v and half the current draw from each battery 'set'.

 

[andrewwynn]

you have some of the principles correct but some are not exactly correct.

If you change the voltage on a circuit the current will change.. in a simple ckt.. the current will be directly proportional to the voltage applied.. so if you double the voltage the current will also double... however i think the essence of your question is how to control the amount of current coming out of a battery and you have the concept of load control down.

If.. for example you have a battery capable of only 1/2A (AAA alkaline for example).. but you have a load that runs at 3V and needs 1A... well you can achieve this by either using a bigger battery like an c which can handle an Amp (barely)... putting two in series to get the 3V you need... or you can take the smaller 1/2A battery... put two in parallel so they can handle and amp.. and then put two more in parallel... and take that second set and put it in series with the first set.. you'll have a 2x2 parallel-series combination that is 3V and is capable of 1A...

I think i just said the same thing that legtu did but maybe it's easier to understand?

-awr

 

[offroadcmpr]

ok, thanks, that cleared up mind