![]() ![]() The flashlight was a two-cell incandescent, the GPS was our older Garmin GPS 12XL, and the VHF was a Standard Horizon HX460S.īefore starting our tests, we measured the battery current used by each of our test devices. We chose three different applications for our testing-a flashlight, a portable GPS, and a handheld VHF. ![]() We limited our testing to AA batteries, which in our experience are those most-often used. Even flashlights are following this path with incandescent bulbs beginning to be displaced by LED-based flashlights.įor our testing, we wanted to compare the different battery chemistries in different applications to see if we could draw some conclusions regarding which battery types (i.e., chemistries) are suitable for different applications. The lower voltage reduces the power consumption and can either increase battery life or allow smaller batteries to be used in the same application. Not only can manufacturers cram more stuff into smaller spaces, but the actual integrated circuits in the devices run at lower voltages. Modern day electronics are very power-conservative. Since then, other battery chemistries have been developed and commercialized, such as nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) and lithium ion (Li Ion). By the late 1970s, lithium primary batteries became available. By 1920, the standard battery sizes we use were being sold to consumers.īeginning in the 1960s, alkaline batteries-based on alkaline manganese dioxide chemistry derived from Edison’s nickel-iron alkaline invention-became available for consumer use. Around 1909, Thomas Edison invented the alkaline battery, based on a technology similar to our modern-day alkaline batteries. Waldmar Jungner of Sweden invented the nickel cadmium battery (Ni-Cd) in 1899, but the technology was not commercialized until the early 1950s. By 1896, the National Carbon Company (later to become Union Carbide and then Eveready) sold the first dry cell battery for consumer use, which was based on zinc-carbon technology. But first, a little history.Ĭarl Gassner of Germany invented dry cell batteries, similar to our conventional zinc-carbon batteries, back in 1888. All the names, chemistries, and abbreviations are cute, but what we want to know is how well the different battery types work in typical equipment on our boats. Battery chemistries available today include not only the ubiquitous alkaline, but also rechargeable alkaline, lithium manganese dioxide, nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH), and lithium ion (Li Ion)-(see PS June 2001, page 24). In anticipation of that change, we decided to test AA rechargeable batteries:Īll the batteries mentioned above are alkaline cells, but as readers know, there are many more battery chemistries to choose from. None of these is rechargeable, but our friend says that will likely change soon. In fact, on his extended summer cruise he characteristically stocks 48 AA batteries, 24 AAA batteries, 20 C batteries, 24 D batteries, three 9V batteries, and three 123 camera batteries. Most of these devices use disposable batteries (really, they’re throw-away since they don’t dispose of well). How many battery-powered devices do you routinely carry onboard? We did a quick check on a friend’s boat and came up with the following devices: eight flashlights, one portable GPS, two handheld VHF radios, a digital camera, a clock, kitchen timer, binocular compass light, digital caliper, digital multimeter, portable CD player, portable MP3 player, icebox fan, deck vent fan, and a cell phone. ![]()
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