LEDAdd1ct
Flashlight Enthusiast
Rayovac 808 Quad "F" Cell Lantern Battery vs. Four Energizer EN95 Cells in Carrier...
While there are a number of threads detailing power sources for six volt lanterns, I did not not see a recent, comprehensive guide comparing a high capacity 1.5v alkaline "D" cell with published specifications and a high quality alkaline quad "F" cell, wired in series to produce a 6.0v source. With the availability of a battery carrier to convert four alkaline "D" cells into a 6.0v alkaline battery, I thought I would run the numbers and publish the results.
According to this page here (go all the way to the bottom and then scroll up), four alkaline "F" cells in series, which comprise the Rayovac 808 6v lantern battery, have 26000mAh capacity.
Google "Rayovac 808A" and check out the first link to buy it straight from Spectrum Brands (Rayovac) at an excellent price.
However, this PDF spec sheet here indicates the Energizer EN95 "D" cell has 20500mAh at 25mA discharge current.
So, what to do?
A Rayovac 808 battery with four alkaline "F" cells in series, or, a four cell holder which will convert four alkaline "D" cells into a 6.0v battery?
1) The datasheet here for the Energizer EN95 specifies that the 20500mAh capacity is at 25mA discharge current.
2) I can find no information as to what discharge current the figure of 26000mAh capacity for a single alkaline "F" cell came from.
However, even without that figure, we can do some guesswork as to which is the better deal:
1) Energizer EN95 alkaline "D" cell is rated from 0°F to 130°F, while the Rayovac 808 quad alkaline "F" cell battery is rated from -20°F to 130°F.
Score one for the Rayovac.
2) Both the Rayovac 808 and the Energizer EN95 are rated at a seven year shelf life.
Tie.
3) The Rayovac is supposed to be sealed against leakage.
I'll believe it when I see it.
I'll call it a tentative tie.
4) Convenience—I'll call this one a "no contest." You can get alkaline "D" cells anywhere. Unless you are absolutely certain you are buying a 6v lantern battery with four alkaline "F" cells in series, the EN95 wins.
Score for Energizer.
5) Price
Spectrum Brands (Rayovac) sells the 6v quad "F" cell battery for $7.00. If you buy three, with shipping, it comes out to about ten dollars a battery.
A 12 pack of Energizer EN95 cells can be had for about one dollar per cell, delivered.
So:
a) One 6.0v battery for $10.00.
vs.
b) Three sets of four for $12.00.
Score for Energizer (or quad 1.5v alkaline "D" cell equivalent).
6) Capacity
While I could not find a published test current for the Rayovac 808 quad "F" cell battery, I did find published discharge current specs for the Energizer 529, the Energizer alkaline quad "F" cell equivalent to the Rayovac 808.
Here we go:
Link to Energizer EN95 Alkaline "D" Cell PDF with Discharge Test at 25mA
Link to Energizer 529 Alkaline quad "F" Cell Battery PDF with Discharge Test at 25mA
Link to Single Energizer 3-361 Alkaline "F" Cell PDF
In terms of pure capacity, the quad alkaline "F" cell, either Rayovac 808 or Energizer 529, wins.
My Opinion:
It is my opinion that the Energizer EN95 in a quad-cell carrier is a better deal than the Rayovac 808 quad alkaline "F" cell battery or the Energizer 529 quad alkaline "F" cell battery for the following reasons:
1) Cost for a 6.0v power source
2) Cells can be separated into multiple applications if needed
There are two reasons I can see to get the Rayovac 808 or Energizer 529 instead:
1) If those extra six amp hours are absolutely needed that may reasonably sway your decision.
2) The ability to function to -20°F within spec may be invaluable to those in colder climes.
**Please note that while the Rayovac 808 quad alkaline "F" cell battery is rated to -20°F, the Energizer equivalent, part number 529, is rated only to 0°F. While this may not matter to 90% of potential users, no doubt there are some, on this forum or outside it, who would benefit from that extra temperature range. While this is pure speculation, the fact the published specifications indicate an ability to function at lower temperatures may indicate a cell chemistry of overall higher quality.
For those applications requiring a 6v lantern battery as a power source, I recommend four Energizer EN95 or equivalent cells.
Disclaimer: No affiliation with either company.
I hope this guide helps someone.
If any of my numbers are off, please let me know and I'll update the thread.
While there are a number of threads detailing power sources for six volt lanterns, I did not not see a recent, comprehensive guide comparing a high capacity 1.5v alkaline "D" cell with published specifications and a high quality alkaline quad "F" cell, wired in series to produce a 6.0v source. With the availability of a battery carrier to convert four alkaline "D" cells into a 6.0v alkaline battery, I thought I would run the numbers and publish the results.
According to this page here (go all the way to the bottom and then scroll up), four alkaline "F" cells in series, which comprise the Rayovac 808 6v lantern battery, have 26000mAh capacity.
Google "Rayovac 808A" and check out the first link to buy it straight from Spectrum Brands (Rayovac) at an excellent price.
However, this PDF spec sheet here indicates the Energizer EN95 "D" cell has 20500mAh at 25mA discharge current.
So, what to do?
A Rayovac 808 battery with four alkaline "F" cells in series, or, a four cell holder which will convert four alkaline "D" cells into a 6.0v battery?
1) The datasheet here for the Energizer EN95 specifies that the 20500mAh capacity is at 25mA discharge current.
2) I can find no information as to what discharge current the figure of 26000mAh capacity for a single alkaline "F" cell came from.
However, even without that figure, we can do some guesswork as to which is the better deal:
1) Energizer EN95 alkaline "D" cell is rated from 0°F to 130°F, while the Rayovac 808 quad alkaline "F" cell battery is rated from -20°F to 130°F.
Score one for the Rayovac.
2) Both the Rayovac 808 and the Energizer EN95 are rated at a seven year shelf life.
Tie.
3) The Rayovac is supposed to be sealed against leakage.
I'll believe it when I see it.
I'll call it a tentative tie.
4) Convenience—I'll call this one a "no contest." You can get alkaline "D" cells anywhere. Unless you are absolutely certain you are buying a 6v lantern battery with four alkaline "F" cells in series, the EN95 wins.
Score for Energizer.
5) Price
Spectrum Brands (Rayovac) sells the 6v quad "F" cell battery for $7.00. If you buy three, with shipping, it comes out to about ten dollars a battery.
A 12 pack of Energizer EN95 cells can be had for about one dollar per cell, delivered.
So:
a) One 6.0v battery for $10.00.
vs.
b) Three sets of four for $12.00.
Score for Energizer (or quad 1.5v alkaline "D" cell equivalent).
6) Capacity
While I could not find a published test current for the Rayovac 808 quad "F" cell battery, I did find published discharge current specs for the Energizer 529, the Energizer alkaline quad "F" cell equivalent to the Rayovac 808.
Here we go:
Link to Energizer EN95 Alkaline "D" Cell PDF with Discharge Test at 25mA
Link to Energizer 529 Alkaline quad "F" Cell Battery PDF with Discharge Test at 25mA
Link to Single Energizer 3-361 Alkaline "F" Cell PDF
In terms of pure capacity, the quad alkaline "F" cell, either Rayovac 808 or Energizer 529, wins.
My Opinion:
It is my opinion that the Energizer EN95 in a quad-cell carrier is a better deal than the Rayovac 808 quad alkaline "F" cell battery or the Energizer 529 quad alkaline "F" cell battery for the following reasons:
1) Cost for a 6.0v power source
2) Cells can be separated into multiple applications if needed
There are two reasons I can see to get the Rayovac 808 or Energizer 529 instead:
1) If those extra six amp hours are absolutely needed that may reasonably sway your decision.
2) The ability to function to -20°F within spec may be invaluable to those in colder climes.
**Please note that while the Rayovac 808 quad alkaline "F" cell battery is rated to -20°F, the Energizer equivalent, part number 529, is rated only to 0°F. While this may not matter to 90% of potential users, no doubt there are some, on this forum or outside it, who would benefit from that extra temperature range. While this is pure speculation, the fact the published specifications indicate an ability to function at lower temperatures may indicate a cell chemistry of overall higher quality.
For those applications requiring a 6v lantern battery as a power source, I recommend four Energizer EN95 or equivalent cells.
Disclaimer: No affiliation with either company.
I hope this guide helps someone.
If any of my numbers are off, please let me know and I'll update the thread.
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