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Choosing The Best Type Of Battery

Batteries tend to be one of those annoying things that we don’t think about until they need replacing! However not all batteries are created equally and so you need the right battery for the job or you’re going to back down to the hardware store in no time at all. You also need to make sure you determine which way do batteries go.

To help you find the perfect solution for when you need that energy boost, we’ve put together a guide to selecting the best option for your battery replacements.

Energy and Power

First step is to consider the energy content when making comparisons between batteries of differing types. The capacity of a battery is the discharge current provided by a battery over a certain period. In most cases, the capacity is expressed in mAh or Ah and dictates the runtime of a battery.

The easiest way to determine the amount of energy contained in battery replacements is to multiply the voltage by the battery capacity in Ah to get the energy in Wh. Also, the open-circuit voltage, which is the battery’s voltage when it is unconnected to a load, is used in energy calculations. You should always be aware that both the energy and capacity are hugely reliant on the drain rate.

Theoretically, only active electrode materials and active mass dictate capacity. On the other hand, because of kinetic limitations and inactive materials, practical batteries achieve only a portion of the theoretical numbers. The inactive materials and kinetic limitations deter the full utilization of active materials and the accumulation of by-products on the electrodes.

In most cases, battery manufacturers specify specifications such as optimum temperature, cut-off voltage, and discharge rate. It’s essential to pay close attention to the battery’s drain rate. Most automobile starter battery applications and power tools use batteries with high power, thus providing rapid discharge capability at high drain rates. This means that high-power batteries typically have low energy densities.

Primary and Secondary Batteries

One key piece of information you need to have is knowing whether the application needs a secondary or primary battery. You should also be aware that while secondary batteries are rechargeable, primary batteries are single-use.

It is impractical to use a primary battery in instances in which charging is required. Disposable applications and applications with occasional intermittent use like toys, smoke alarms, hearing aids, and flashlights are good examples that warrant the use of primary batteries.

A rechargeable battery is best suited for situations where the battery will be used continuously and for long periods. Perfect examples of secondary batteries are laptop, cell phone, and smartwatch batteries. An attractive feature of primary batteries is that they have a significantly lower rate of self-discharge. This is important when charging is neither practical nor possible before first use. Although secondary batteries tend to lose energy at a higher rate than primary batteries, the aspect is less crucial in most applications due to rechargeability.

Battery Voltage

Another important aspect is the battery’s operating voltage. It is usually dictated by the electrode material used by the manufacturer of the battery. A great battery classification to compare is lithium-based batteries versus water or aqueous or water-based batteries.

All water-based electrolytes utilize Lead-acid, Zinc metal, and Nickel-metal hydride and usually have nominal voltages ranging between 1.2 and 2 V. On the other hand, Lithium-based use organic electrolytes and their nominal voltages normally range from 3.2 to 4 V in both secondary and primary variations.

Today, most electronic components have a minimum operating voltage of 3 V. You can use a single Lithium-based battery instead of two or three aqueous-based cells to compensate for the desired voltage due to their higher operating voltage. While other batteries have a flat discharge profile, some battery chemistries, such as Zinc batteries, have a sloping discharge curve.

Temperature Range

The chemical composition of a battery dictates the temperature range of the application. For instance, it is impossible to use electrolyte-based Zinc-carbon cells in temperatures below zero degrees. Although less than Zinc-carbon, alkaline cells also record a sharp reduction in capacity at sub-zero temperatures.

You can operate primary lithium batteries with an organic electrolyte up to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you will record a significant drop in performance. You can charge lithium-ion batteries at a maximum rate strictly within a small window between 68and 113 degrees Fahrenheit.

It would help if you used lower voltages and currents, resulting in longer charging times beyond the specified temperature range. To avoid the problematic lithium dendritic plating problem that increases the risk of thermal runaway, you may require a trickle charge at temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Low or high-temperature charging, short-circuiting from contaminants or overcharging increases the risk of lithium-based batteries exploding.

Shelf Life

Shelf life is the length of time that a battery will spend in storage or a shelf before it is used. In most cases, primary batteries have a significantly longer shelf life compared to secondary batteries. You must understand that shelf life is usually more important for primary batteries since you can recharge secondary batteries.

Additionally, you can make exceptions in instances where recharging is not a viable option. Also, disposal of some battery components and transportation of lithium-based batteries is regulated by the authorities.

So Don’t Forget…

There are many factors to consider when selecting the right battery. From size, cost, and battery design, through to the battery’s composition. Getting the right battery for the job means that you can, once again, forget all about it!


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Choosing The Best Type Of Battery

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