In electrical shops, you can find batteries and accumulators in many variants and different sizes of packages, intended for both home electronic devices and professional power tools. Disposable or rechargeable batteries - which to choose to provide your devices with the optimal amount of power for the longest possible time? We have prepared a short comparison of different types of batteries.
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Which solution is more energy efficient: rechargeable or alkaline batteries?
When looking for a power source for battery-powered devices, we can choose from two basic solutions for storing electrical energy:
- disposable batteries , i.e. those that should be thrown into an appropriate container after use, which is undoubtedly convenient;
- batteries , whose cells can be charged using a special mains charger when exhausted, their lifespan reaches hundreds of cycles, so compared to disposable batteries they are a more ecological and economical option.
In the battery category, the most popular are disposable alkaline batteries. They are made of a zinc anode and manganese dioxide (cathode), immersed in an electrolyte. They are characterized by high capacity and long life. They are used in devices with medium and high power requirements, such as remote controls, flashlights, cameras and flashlights. They cannot be recharged.
Among rechargeable batteries, the most popular are 1.2V Ni-MH (nickel-metal-hydride) batteries. They offer high capacity and are more environmentally friendly than Ni-CD models that contain toxic cadmium. In terms of electrical parameters, they are similar to 1.5V alkaline batteries.
Although they have a lower starting voltage than alkaline batteries, they are characterized by lower internal resistance. In many devices, especially those that require them, Ni-MH batteries achieve a higher average voltage, which translates into more efficient operation. Reducing the heat produced ensures a significant reduction in energy waste. Ni-MH batteries achieve the highest efficiency in devices with a high demand for power in a short time. However, too long breaks should not be used between recharging (a maximum of several months).
Will the batteries work well in every device?
The choice between rechargeable and disposable batteries as a power source should take into account the type and requirements of the device and the user's expectations regarding operating time, price or the possibility of multiple charging. The main applications of Ni-MH rechargeable batteries due to their high efficiency are:
- flashes and cameras (however, you should pay attention to the stability and capacity of the batteries you choose),
- traditional and LED flashlights,
- LED decorative lighting,
- camera traps,
- toys (including remote-controlled cars),
- portable devices,
- small household appliances (medium capacity batteries will be suitable in this case),
- small medical equipment.
However, in devices with low power consumption, such as various types of meters or computer accessories (keyboard, mouse, pad), high-quality alkaline batteries usually work better - they simply last longer.
Can you use several types of batteries in one electrical device?
A common mistake of battery-powered device users is to place random batteries in them – ones that just happened to be in the drawer, fit and still work. This can even lead to a leak! That is, lithium, alkaline, zinc-carbon or rechargeable batteries should always be used separately. Different types of batteries cannot be mixed (combined) in one electrical device.
In the Onninen online electrical wholesaler you will find, among others , AA and AAA rechargeable batteries and AA and AAA batteries for various applications and types of devices. We also have a wide range of flashlights and mains chargers in our assortment. All products come from renowned manufacturers such as Kodak, Ledvance or Scangrip. Onninen specialists provide professional advice.