22 Years' Battery Customization
Nov 13, 2020 Pageview：586
The double-A battery is a standard size single cell cylindrical battery. These batteries are used in homes and offices by toys, remotes controllers, torches, radios, keyboards, mouse, etc. The AA battery has a single electrochemical cell that can be either a primary battery or a rechargeable battery.
The primary type of AA battery can be disposed of after a single-use. For this reason, we opt to purchase rechargeable batteries because they can be used for an extended period. For instance, if you buy your child a toy, then the toy's power consumption might be high because the child uses it for long hours. Thus, it will be cheaper to have a rechargeable battery.
Most of the AA batteries are lithium cells; thus, they have a shelf life of about nine years. The good thing with lithium AA cells is that they do not leak over time; they do not damage your device. However, this article is not majoring in the materials used in making AA batteries.
We need to know if we can test our AA batteries. Moreover, if it is possible to test these batteries, how can we do the testing? I know well that most of us do not pay much attention to these small batteries, but it is good to test them so that we get ways to extend their lifespan.
Thus, my focus will be on the testing methods of the AA batteries. I need you to be keen so that you can get a lot out of this session. I can promise you it will be much helpful in ensuring that your small devices operate well.
Battery testing is necessary because we might throw away our batteries when they are still perfectly fine. If a remote or a toy goes off, then the first thing that will come into our mind is that the battery is dead.
Battery testing, therefore, involves getting the voltage of the battery and knowing the health status of the battery. You can check your battery using a voltmeter or a multimeter.
Nevertheless, before testing a battery, you need to know that an alkaline AA battery's proper voltage is 1.5 Volts while the proper voltage of a rechargeable battery is 1.25 Volts.
The batteries' testing helps determine the batteries that deliver the best power and the ones that deliver the best value. If you buy a battery today, then use it today and test it tomorrow. Then the amount of voltage used after that period should be small.
However, if you find out the amount of power consumed after that short period is low, then it is that battery has the best value. Battery testing involves getting the best value out of your batteries.
Several testers can be used to test the AA batteries. Nevertheless, we need to know the ones that are more effective than others are. The best way to test alkaline AA batteries is by using the drop test.
For rechargeable batteries, you can use a voltmeter or a multimeter to get correct readings. They both work effectively, but the voltmeter is the most available and effective tester.
Drop test for Alkaline AA batteries
This method can only be used to test AA alkaline batteries but not the rechargeable ones. Follow the following steps;
?Hold the AA battery vertically 5.1 cm to 7.6 cm above a hard surface. Alkaline batteries have zinc oxide building up inside them as they grow old. The buildup of zinc oxide makes the battery to be bouncier.
?The positive side of the AA battery must face upwards while the opposing side should encounter the hard surface once dropped.
?Please do not use a wooden surface for this test because wood surfaces absorb more energy, and items do not bounce on them.
?If the battery bounces, then you need to replace it. You should be keen to observe the battery as it hits the ground. A brand new battery will plop without bouncing when dropped.
?However, you should know that if the battery bounces, it does not mean that it is dead. It means that it is getting holder, thus losing its charge.
?This test can help you separate old batteries from new ones if they are mixed up.
Voltmeter
In case you do not have a multimeter, then you can use a voltmeter. The voltmeter is easy to use and works for both rechargeable batteries and alkaline batteries. The process is as follows;
?Locate the positive and the negative terminal on your battery. The positive terminal is marked with a (+) while the negative terminal is indicated (-).
?Ensure that the voltmeter is in DC setting because all batteries use direct current (DC). Therefore, turn the knob on the front of the voltmeter to DC before taking the reading.
?Other voltmeters require that you pick the maximum level of the current that you want to test. Therefore, set the meter to 20 volts if it requires you to pick a level.
?Connect the positive and negative terminals of the battery to the voltmeter's positive and negative cables. The red-colored lead should be connected to the + terminal while the black lead should be connected to the negative terminal.
?The batteries have a small voltage; thus, you should not worry about electric shock.
?Hold the cables to the battery to get the volt readings. The process will not take a lot of time; thus, you will get it in a few seconds. These readings will tell you if the battery has charge or not.
Battery Tester
You can also use a battery tester for simple readings. The battery tester is a much more straightforward and easy to use device than a multimeter or a voltmeter. This device has a slide that moves forth and back to accommodate different battery sizes.
To use a battery tester, open the slide and place your battery into the slot. The positive side of your battery should touch the slide. Then check the volt reading on the display present on one side of your battery tester.
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