Battery types | Voltage (V) | Common usages |
Primary | ||
Alkaline | 1.5 | CD/MD/MP3 players, toys, cameras, remote controls |
Carbon zinc | 1.5 | Clocks, radios, smoke alarm |
Lithium coin | 3.0 | Calculators, electronic organizers |
Lithium photo | 3.0 / 6.0 | Cameras |
Silver oxide | 1.55 | Watches |
Zinc air | 1.4 | Hearing aids |
Rechargeable | ||
NiMH | 1.2 | Digital cameras, portable CD, MD, MP3 players, remote controlled racing toy cars |
NiCd | 1.2 | Portable CD, MD, MP3 players, r emote controlled racing toy cars |
Li-ion | 3.6-3.7 | Notebook computers, PDAs, mobile phones, camcorders, digital cameras |
Despite the higher initial cost, alkaline batteries last five to ten times longer than zinc carbon batteries on higher current drains, making it more economical when the current drain is high.
Rechargeable batteries are more expensive than alkaline batteries especially when you include the upfront cost of the charger. However do not forget that they can be recharged up to 1000 times. Hence they end up much more economical in the long run.
NiCd and NiMH batteries display similar characteristics, but for the same size, NiMH batteries can double the run time compared with NiCd batteries per charge.
Alkaline batteries are best used for moderate power consumption electronic devices.
Zinc carbon batteries are the best choice for extremely low power consumption electronic devices
Power Requirement | Electronic Devices | Recommended Batteries |
High | Digital cameras | NiMH batteries, Nickel zinc batteries |
High | Handheld TV Portable MD/MP3/CD players PDAs Handheld game | NiMH batteries |
Moderate To High | Walkman MD/MP3/CD players Torch | Alkaline batteries |
Low | Clock radio Remote control Smoke alarm | Zinc carbon batteries |
A short circuit occurs if the positive and negative terminals of the battery are bridged by any kind of conducting materials e.g. key chains, paper clips. Short circuits may have serious consequences. For example, the battery temperature will rise, causing internal gas pressure to build up and eventually resulting in battery leakage.
To avoid short circuits, do not carry charged or fresh batteries in the same pocket with coins or bunches of keys.