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Batteries
Batteries are sources of chemical energy that are used in circuits to provide electrical energy for a wide range of useful devices. Any questions and answers regarding batteries or other power supplies would be welcome here.
4,818 Questions
What is a lead acid storage battery?
It is a battery which, as you may have guessed, used lead and an acid to store an electrical charge.
Most car/truck batteries are of this type.
No, but they will corrode at the battery posts. Clean them off with water and baking soda. Then use a battery post cleaning tool to clean the post off.
What kind of batteries does the Nerf Longshot CS-6 need?
The Longshot itself does not need batteries, but the tactical lights (one is a mission kit and one comes with the Recon CS-6) need AAA batteries.
Would leaving your ipod plugged into an Xbox that's off drain your battery?
While I can't think of any reason why it would, it seems to. When I leave my iPod totally unplugged, it discharges very slowly, only perhaps 20% per day. If I leave it plugged into my Xbox, it charges while the Xbox is on, but rapidly discharges while the Xbox is off, for some reason.
What kills the charge on the battery?
Parasitic (or ignition key off) drain is the cumulative load produced by electrical devices, for example, emissions computers, clocks, security alarms, radio presets, etc., that operate continuously after the engine is stopped and the ignition key has been switched off. Normal parasitic loads are below 75 milliamps (.075 amps). When the parasitic load is greater than 75 milliamps (.075 amps), batteries will drain more quickly. Glove box, trunk, and under hood lights that do not automatically turn off when the door is closed or shorted diodes in alternators are the most common offenders. Cooling fans, power seat belt retractors, radios and dome lights left on, alarm systems, and electric car antennas have also caused batteries to drain overnight. Leaving your headlights on will generally discharge a fully charged car battery, with 90 minutes of Reserve Capacity (36 amp hours), within a couple of hours.
It is highly recommended, especially if you are using a sealed wet "Maintenance Free" (Ca/Ca) battery, allow to thaw if frozen, fully recharge it in a well ventilated area with an external battery charger, remove the surface charge, and load tested both the battery and the charging system for latent damage from the deep discharge. You could have a damaged or bad battery. If the alternator is warm and the engine is cold, then check for a shorted diode in the alternator.
Below are some methods that are used to test the parasitic load with the engine NOT running, under hood light disconnected, all accessories switched off, and the vehicle doors closed:
- Connect a 12-volt bulb across the positive and negative battery terminals to test the bulb and the battery. If it glows brightly, then remove the negative battery cable and connect the bulb in series between the negative battery cable terminal clamp and the negative battery terminal. If the bulb continues to glow brightly, then start removing fuses or connections to the positive battery post one-at-a-time until the offending electrical component is identified by the bulb dimming.
- A better approach is to use a DC ammeter, for example a Fluke 175, inserted in series with the negative battery cable terminal clamp and the negative battery terminal or a clamp-on DC ammeter, like a Fluke 336 or i410 around the negative battery cable. Starting with the highest scale, determine the current load. If the load is above 75 milliamps (.075 amps) after the initial surge, then start removing fuses or connections to the positive battery post one-at-a-time until the offending electrical component is identified by the parasitic load dropping to within 75 milliamps (.75 amps).
I have an 89 Mark VII LSC with 300,000 plus miles have had for 10 plus years and love it, as for battery drain i have found that a notorious problem for this is the Voltage Regulator mounted on the passenger side wheel well, very easy to change, 2 screws and a plug, I keep a spare in the trunk, they cost about $10.00 , and when they fail it will drain your battery in less than 12 hours time, unless there was an obvious reason for battery drain such as Lights left on, etc...etc.. this is always my first suspect, they will usually fail approx every 5 years, I also have found that the alternator will also only last for right at 5 years if you have a good one, so I always change both.
Do live wallpaers waste your battery?
Yes, using live wallpapers on your mobile phone or other device do waster battery life.
Can you use a 9v adapter on a device that requires 4 AA batteries?
The highest voltage that four AA batteries can be delivering is 6 volts,
if they're connected in series, and they may not be. The effect of 9 volts
on the device depends on the specific device. But we know that 9 volts
is at least 50% overvoltage to the device and possibly more. Chances are
high that the device won't like it, and will fail.
('Fail' is engineer talk for 'burn out' or 'burn up'.)
Replace Your CR1632 Battery Instead Of Your Device?
When the battery in your electronic device dies, you do not need to replace the entire device. Open the battery compartment and write down the number on it. The CR1632 battery is made by different manufacturers, and is widely available at electronic, department stores and online.
The cost of the battery is minimal, and is far less than replacing the device itself. In a disposable world, the only thing you have to dispose of is the old battery.
Why might the battery on a 1991 Mercury Tracer not hold a charge?
Its bad
Clean the battery connections and make sure the connections are good.
If the battery has been tested, has it been tested under an actual load, not just by placing the meter on it? also if the cells of the battery are beginning to break down, it will discharge at inopportune times,
Is the gas given off a car battery harmful?
Battery Out-gassing
Yes, vehicle batteries are usually of the lead-acid type, and these batteries give off hydrogen gas while they are either being discharged, or charged.
Hydrogen gas is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas, is highly flammable and when mixed in proper proportion with oxygen in the air, hydrogen can be explosive.
Smoking or any arc/spark within the hydrogen-oxygen gas envelope, or an internal spark inside the battery, can cause a massive explosion throwing sulphuric acid and disintegrated battery case plastic for some distance. This explosion of the battery out-gas can do very serious bodily harm, and has been reported to have resulted in deaths.
Therefore, it is critical that all possible safety precautions are followed when working with, on, or around vehicular batteries. Most modern auto batteries have decals on them listing the major hazards and recommended precautions.
What is Volta's first battery composed of?
Alessandro Volta invented the voltaic pile in 1800. it was made from alternating discs of zinc and copper with pieces of cardboard soaked in brine between, the voltaic pile produces an electrical current.
Why is it better for appliances to work from batteries?
Some appliances are better adapted to batteries based on portability. Batteries allow significant portability. Appliances that remain in place, like a refrigerator, would not need batteries.
Which material will allow electricity to flow between the battery and the light bulb?
I guess you mean, between a battery and something else.The generic name for materials which allow an electric current to flow through is "conductor". Specific examples include any metal, graphite, ions in a water solution.
Does connecting a battery charger the wrong way damage the car electrical system?
If there is any charge left in the battery, connecting it the wrong way should blow the fuse in the charger before any damage is done.
Motors, heaters and lamps will not be affected.
Electronics, such as radios, cds, and engine management systems however, do not like reverse polarity and will blow the semiconductors inside, if reverse connected.
Most properly designed and constructed car electronics, have protection on their power supply lines, to stop devastating destruction caused by reverse polarity. This is usually a reverse connected diode across the power input lines.
Connected properly, the diode does not conduct and has no effect. Conncted in reverse and the diode will conduct, putting a short across the line and hopefully blowing a fuse to protect it. (crowbar protection).
So, you may get away with it. But it is not advised.
Why should a potentiometer wire be long and uniform in diameter?
Pottentiometer is a device which is used for calculating the internal resistence as well as unknown emf of a cell or a series of cell.
Pottentiometer consist of a wire which have uniform length as well as uni form length.By keeping it uniform we get an accurate measurement/
How do you wire two scooter batteries to power24v motor?
With the two batteries side by side connect a jumper wire from the positive post on one battery to the negative post on the other. The remaining neg and pos posts on each battery will supply the 24V your looking for.
It may destroy the battery or it may just blow the main fuse or it may do other damage. No way of knowing for sure what will happen.
