Batteries a Study in Power to Go

Power to go?

Batteries

    What are Batteries?
    Choosing the ‘Right Battery’
    How to Use and Store Safely
    Connecting Battery to Load
    Charging
    Discharge/Use Calculations

Disclaimers

    The word battery will be used for what in some cases is correctly called a cell.  Think one cannon (cell), many cannon (cells) a battery.
    Cell – one entity that produces electricity. A ‘flashlight battery’ is really a cell.
    Battery – multiple cells wired in series to produce higher voltages.
    Current outputs of batteries vary.  Where shown here they are what is typical of the type.
Disclaimers
    Properly stored batteries will last longer.
    Heat and extreme cold both in storage and operating environment reduce life.
    Cool and dry are the ideal.
    Abused batteries will not perform well
    Not every safety measure is covered here.  For example, I hope you know enough to not swallow a battery.

The Ideal Battery

    Light
    Small
    Near infinite capacity
    Near zero charge time if rechargeable
    Constant Voltage During Discharge
    Cheap
    AND IT DOESN’T EXIST
    This is precisely why stored electricity is not used for automobiles and airplanes.

Choosing the Right Battery

    Rechargable
–    Lithium Ion
–    NiCad
–    Lead Acid
    Wet
    Jell
    Non-rechargeable (disposable)

–    Alkaline
–    Button
–    Carbon Zinc

Carbon Zinc

    ‘The battery’ before alkaline.
    Each cell produces 1.5 Volts.
    Higher voltages are attained by placing cells in series.  A 6 volt battery has 4 cells (4 x 1.5 = 6)
    It is a version of the Leclanché cell
    Wet version – 1876 first dry cell 1888
    Carbon Positive (center)
    Zinc Negative (can) Better ones sealed in steel
    Electrolyte Zinc Chloride or Ammonium Chloride
    Buffer – manganese dioxide and carbon powder