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Discharge tests of AA Batteries, Alkaline and NiMH |
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Custom design and manufacture of state-of-the-art battery chargers, DC/DC Converters, and power
supplies
 Battery Chemistry
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Batteries
How
To Charge NiCad Batteries
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NiMH Batteries
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Battery Pack Design
Special Design
Rules for Large Battery Packs
Testing AA cells
Method
1. New Batteries are
purchased from a retailer to make sure they are fresh.
2. In the case of PowerStream batteries, cells were pulled from
stock that has been sitting around for a few months and freshly charged.
3. I am using a CBA II computerized battery
analyzer. This is reliable only above 100 mA, so the discharge tests below are for relatively high currents, in other words
digital cameras. The performance rankings may be different for low current applications.
| Summary of tests, see discharge curves
below |
| Size |
Brand |
Code in Charts |
Date of Test |
Sell By Date |
Termination voltage used in test |
Amp-Hours at 100 mA Discharge rate |
Amp-hours at 500 mA Discharge Rate |
Amp-hours at 1 Amp Discharge Rate |
Amp-hours at 2 Amps Discharge Rate |
Amp-Hours at 5 Amps Discharge Rate |
| AA Alkaline |
Radio Shack Enercell Plus |
RS |
April 2006 |
2010 |
0.1 Volt |
2.13 AH |
1.31 AH |
0.98 AH |
0.72 AH |
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| AA Alkaline |
Duracell Coppertop |
DC |
April 2006 |
2012 |
0.1 Volt |
2.20 AH |
1.30 AH |
0.83 AH |
0.54 AH |
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| AA Alkaline |
Energizer Titanium |
ET |
May 2006 |
2012 |
0.1 Volt |
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1.84 AH |
1.41 AH |
1.18 AH |
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| AA Alkaline |
Energizer Max |
EM |
May 2006 |
2012 |
0.1 Volt |
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1.17 AH |
0.93 AH |
0.70 AH |
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| AA Alkaline |
Eveready Gold |
EG |
May 2006 |
2012 |
0.1 Volt |
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1.28 AH |
0.95 AH |
0.78 AH |
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| AA Lithium Metal |
Energizer Lithium |
E2 |
May 2006 |
2013 |
0.1 Volt |
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2.8 AH |
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| AA NiMH |
PowerStream
2000 mAH
Rechargeable |
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April 2006 |
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0.1 Volt |
2.04 AH (200 mA) |
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1.94 AH |
2.11 AH
(see curve) |
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This test compares the different manufacturer's cells at 2 amps discharge rate. The manufacturer codes are
listed in the table above.
Note that at 2 Amps discharge rate the Radio Shack (RS) has higher voltage and more amp
hours than the Duracell Coppertop (DC).
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At 1 Amp discharge rate the Radio Shack still has some advantage over the Duracell Coppertop |
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At 500 mA discharge rate the Radio Shack and Duracell are neck and neck. |
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At a slow discharge rate the Duracell pulls out ahead slightly, both for the voltage and the amp hours. I
don't have the patience to run it at lower amp rates, but for very low discharge applications you might find that the Coppertop
excells the Radio Shack even more. Evidently the Radio Shack cell was designed for high current and the Coppertop is designed
for low curent. |
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This is the PowerStream 2000 mAH Nickel Metal Hyrdide cell. I was surprised at how this cell shines for high current
applications. The green and red curves were the same cell run twice at 2 amps.
Evidently for high current applications
the rechargeable battery is a much better choice, both for amp hours and for keeping the voltage high during discharge. I still
use the disposable because of the convenience, but both for total cost and number of pictures between battery changeout there
is a good reason to use these rechargeable cells. |
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PowerStream Technology: 140 South Mountainway Drive, Orem
Utah 84058
Phone: 801-764-9060, 9062, 9063, or 9064
Fax: 801-764-9061 |
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PowerStream Technology
140 South Mountainway
Dr.
Orem, UT 84058
Phone: 801-764-9060, 9062, 9063, or 9064
Fax: 801-764-9061
Map &
Directions |
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using automatic thesaurus substitution software. |
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