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Batteries, portable power to light up our world, but do you know what batteries are? They come in all shapes and sizes and all have a cost difference. This article will explain everything about common day batteries including; their uses, costs, sizes, pros and cons.

Rechargeable

PB,Lead acid batteries/wet batteries: A lead acid battery is composed of sulfuric acid and copper and lead plates all usually enclosed in a non reactive plastic container. These batteries are very stable and no chance of explosion there is a chance of you getting a acid burn if opened. Lead acid batteries are also called wet batteries because their contents are liquid as opposed to li-po or NiMH which are in a semi-solid(paste) form. Lead acid batteries are very good for high amp draw components like car starters, car batteries can output from 100A all the way up to a 1000A. All amperages drop in colder weather. Average voltage: 2 V

Pros: High amp output, Easy to charge

Cons: Heavy, danger of corrosion, Expensive, Self discharge10-30%

Cost:$3-$40 per cell

NiMH (nickel metal hydride): A NiMH battery is composed of nickel and hydrogen absorbing alloy.

NiMH batteries are very stable, made in all the same sizes as disposable batteries and can be charged and discharged up to 3000 times depending upon the capacity, brand and how well you treat them.

These cells have a higher density then NiCd which means less weight more capacity. Highest amp output is about 140A. These cells are usually in a pack configured in parallel or series to achieve higher voltage or longer discharge time. As these cells are not perfect they self discharge at a rate of 33% per month. Average voltage: 1.2 V

Pros:Medium amp output, Light, Versatile, Inexpensive, Up to 3000 cycles

Cons:Self discharge 33%,Charge memory

Cost:$1-$10 per cell

NiCd (nickel cadmium)As these cells are becoming extinct they are still very good cell, they are made of nickel and cadmium. These cells have a lower density therefore are heavier and have a lower capacity. NiCd are very tolerable as they will take a lot of abuse before they give out, they can be charged and discharged at medium amperages. Highest amp output is about 50A, these cells are also usually in packs consisting of a couple cells in series or parallel. The self discharge rate for this type of cell is really good at only about 15% per month. Average voltage: 1.2 V

Pros:Low to medium amp output, Medium weight, Versatile, Damage resistant, Inexpensive, Up to 2000cycles

Cons:Self discharge 15%, Low charge memory

Cost:$0.20-$5 per cell

Li-Ion(lithium ion)Inner components of a lithium ion battery include anode,cathode and a electrolyte.

Anode is usually made of graphite, cathode can be made of different materials as the cathode is the most important part of the battery, electrolyte is a substance that is conductive and composed of free ions in a medium. These batteries are very dense and can have enormous capacities at very little weight, but a great down side is these cells are highly explosive if not taken care of properly. Li-Ion batteries are very expensive, need a specialized charger (and a balancer if there are multiple cells).

These cells have a self discharge of about 8% per month. Average voltage: 3.6V

Pros:High amp output, High density, Very light, Up to 1200 cycles, No memory

Cons:Explosive, Expensive, Self discharge 8%

Cost:$5-$80 per cell

Li-po(lithium polymer) Is composed of a organic solvent in a polymer medium. As the only difference between Li-po and Li-Ion is that the Li-Ion has a organic solution and is bound be the casing unlike the Li-po which is laminated together in a polymer medium holding itself together. Offers enormous capacities at very light weights and as its Li-Ion friend its explosive if not handled carefully.

These cells are also very expensive and need a charger and balancer made for the cells. Li-po cells have a self discharge rate of about 5% per month. Average voltage: 3.7 V

Pros: High amp output, High density,Very light,Up to 1000 cycles, No memory

Cons: Explosive, Expensive, Self discharge 5%

Cost:$5-$60 per cell

Disposable

Disposable batteries can only be used once and then discarded as they cannot be recharged because of the one way chemical reaction that occurs within the cell. Do not try to recharge a non rechargeable battery as it will leak or explode even though in my experiences I have charged non rechargeable batteries until they were warm, approximately 20 to 30 milliamperes but I do not recommend it as I have seen explosions and acid not just leaking but squirting several meters .

Precautions

Do not overcharge batteries!

Do not short circuit batteries!

(this one is important especially for the lithium batteries

as they are highly explosive)

If a fire occurs put out with sand or a electric safe

fire extinguisher!

Do not try to put out with water!

Remember most of the chemicals in batteries are toxic!

Do not throw batteries into fire!

Discarding Polymer cells

Take a bucket fill it with 3 liters of water and add

1-2 cups of salt, place damaged battery in the solution,

there should be bubbles coming out of the water,

leave to sit for a few days,

Now the cells are safe to throw out.

Or the more obvious and easier solution is to just take the cells to the closest recycling site.

All values are approximate.