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Primary Batteries

<^< Batteries | Course Index | Rechargeable Batteries >^>(:nl:)

Zinc-carbon batteries	Alkaline manganese batteries

A review:

Battery type	Advantages	Disadvantages
Zinc-carbon 'regular-duty'	Least expensive	Lowest energy density*
	Widely available	Sloping discharge curve**
		Poor high-current performance
		Poor low-temperature performance
Zinc-chloride 'heavy-duty'	Less expensive than alkaline.	Low energy density*
	Better than zinc-carbon at high current and low temperature	Sloping discharge curve**
	Last 25-50% longer than zinc-carbon
Alkaline manganese 'alkaline'	Moderate cost	Sloping discharge curve**
	Moderate energy density*
	Better than zinc chloride at high current and low temperature
	Widely available
	Last ~8 times longer than zinc-carbon
Lithium oxyhalide 'lithium'	Highest energy density	Expensive
	Light weight
	Horizontal discharge curve**
	Excellent temperature performance
	Very long shelf life

*Energy density is a measure of how much energy can be extracted from a battery per unit of battery weight or volume. Energy density should be as high as possible. **Discharge curve shows how the battery voltage drops as the battery ages with use. The ideal shape is a horizontal line

Summary:

* Forget zinc-carbon and zinc-chloride batteries! * If your control system drives a motor, you must use alkaline or lithium batteries * If a constant supply voltage is needed, use a lithium battery

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