Dummy AA battery

[rizky_p]

Is it easy to make AA battery? can anyone give some idea as what material should be use.

Thanks.

 

[DM51]

Probably the easiest to make would be a piece of wooden dowel rod with a groove cut or drilled lengthways in it to take a length of copper wire along it and wrapped round brass thumb-tacks in each end of the rod, then wrapped in insulating tape. Alternatively, there are CPFers who make smarter custom dummy cells for sale in different sizes - I don't know the links to these but probably in the "Custom & Mod" section. But never use a dead cell for dummy purposes.

 

[jimjones3630]

I've heard of using plumming copper cap, forget what they used inbetween the end caps.

I visited the local scrap metal yard and found some 1/4 inch plates. I cut them 3/8 inch strips by 2 inch, which is a bit long and file to fit.

Also acquired some 2 inch long copper nails that I try some time. Thinking about drilling a hole through some 1/2 inch wood dowel then place the nail inside.

Hope that helps,
Jim

 

[SilverFox]

In higher humidity areas and when charging at higher currents, I recommend using something other than wood. I found some wood spacers "leaking" when charging at 2 amps. This dielectric leakage was caused by the moisture content in the wood.

Plastic works great...

Tom

 

[daywalker]

Hi, you can use the search function and you will find places to buy some from "litho123" or "AW".
They are already shrinkwrapped and have a good performance.

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=165253&highlight=dummy

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?p=2036339#post2036339

I would do nothing with wood. One solid piece isolated is best suited if you are using it in high current battery packs.

 

[Bones]

I too decided to look for some plastic rather than wood dowling after reading about Silverfox's experience.

As for the contacts, I'm going to check out my local automotive supplier for leads or sockets like these and strip out what I need:

http://hotrodwires.com/catalogsocketslighting.html

Once your assembled the parts, you could then go all out and send them to LuxLuther to have rare earth magnets welded on the other ends:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/t=166954/p=41

 

[rizky_p]

How about old battery wrapped in alluminium foil? will it be safe?

 

[Fallingwater]

I make my dummy cells by crumpling some aluminium foil in a cylindrical shape and insulating it with tape. I wouldn't trust them for high current applications, but they are fine for running small applications.

 

[Flying Turtle]

I've used some extra heavy guage aluminum wire cut to the proper length. Got one replacing a battery in an Energizer Folding Lantern out in the car right now.

Geoff

 

[lctorana]

You'll laugh at this, but when I'm replacing 3xAAA or 3xAAA battery carriers with the appropriate lithium cell, as a spacer I use...

...a bolt.

A standard 1/4", hex-headed bolt. Preferably galvanized or shiny, of course. Wrap it in electrical tape if it needs to be insulated.