|
Bob's Battery Life Chart: How long does a battery last?
Great idea for a science project!
|
| Introduction: |
|
- First, numerous leading Alkaline brands were tested against each other.
- Since they were practically identical in discharge rates, one brand was chosen and appropriate 5 watt resistors were connected to the test batteries in their battery holders. NiMH rechagable batteries of that same brand were also tested.
- Voltage measurements were taken over a period of just over one week and noted how many HOURS it took to get down to those points.
- At no time were the load resistors disconnected. As such, this was a continuous drain test. The current values on the chart represent the current that was being drawn at the beginning of the test when the battery was at 100% of full voltage.
- As can be seen on the chart: The higher the current draw, the shorter the battery life. Along those lines……Two cell (3V) flashlights draw 375mA, four cell (6V) lanterns and flashlights draw 420mA. A (6V) blow up mattress pump draws 4.5 Amps and a (9V) portable radio will draw from 20mA up to 150mA depending on the volume setting.
|
Bob's Battery Life Chart: August 2007 --- V1.03
Note: This chart shows the number of HOURS that it takes for a battery’s voltage to drop to a particular percentage. Currents shown indicate amounts drawn when each battery was new and at 100% voltage. |
|
9Volt Alkaline:
|
| |
|
@12mA |
@25mA |
@50mA |
@100mA |
@200mA |
|
80% Volts
|
38 |
18 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
|
70% Volts |
55 |
24 |
12 |
5 |
2 |
|
60% Volts |
64 |
29 |
14 |
7 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.5V Alkaline: D Cell
|
|
@100mA |
@200mA |
@400mA |
@800mA |
@1.6A |
|
80% Volts |
125 |
24 |
14 |
5 |
1 |
|
70% Volts |
173 |
79 |
35 |
17 |
3 |
|
60% Volts |
218 |
98 |
44 |
20 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.5V Alkaline: C Cell
|
|
|
@100mA |
@200mA |
@400mA |
@800mA |
@1.6A |
|
80% Volts |
52 |
18 |
5 |
2 |
.5 |
|
70% Volts |
79 |
35 |
12 |
5 |
1 |
|
60% Volts |
98 |
40 |
18 |
8 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.5V Alkaline: AA Cell
|
|
|
@100mA |
@200mA |
@400mA |
@800mA |
@1.6A |
|
80% Volts |
18 |
8 |
2 |
1 |
-- |
|
70% Volts |
29 |
12 |
5 |
2 |
-- |
|
60% Volts |
35 |
14 |
7 |
3 |
.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.2V NiMH AA Cell: (2500mAh rechargeable)
|
|
|
@100mA |
@200mA |
@400mA |
@800mA |
@1.6A |
|
80% Volts |
10 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
.5 |
|
70% Volts |
10.5 |
7.5 |
3.5 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
60% Volts |
12 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
1.5 |
|
