Can I use a rechargeable battery in a product asking for alkaline batteries?
niupt2k asked:
I want to start using rechargeable batteries in my kid’s toys, which all call for alkaline batteries. Can I use lithium ion rechargeable in these toys, and if so what type is the best. I have read a bit about Nickel ion batteries as well. Your input is appreciated in advance.
I want to start using rechargeable batteries in my kid’s toys, which all call for alkaline batteries. Can I use lithium ion rechargeable in these toys, and if so what type is the best. I have read a bit about Nickel ion batteries as well. Your input is appreciated in advance.
Lithium ion are fine. Just use the same size that the toy calls for.
Stay away from NiCad. They recharge horribly. Lithium Ion can be recharged at any time without serious deficits.
Sure. Voltage is voltage. Rechargeables will work fine. Just don’t try to recharge alkaline batteries of course – they aren’t designed for it, and may explode. I couldn’t say which rechargeable is better, but the greater the Ah (amp-hour) rating is, the longer they will last between recharges at any given power draw.
Dusty made a good point about the small variation in voltage, I’d forgotten about that. Most standard rechargeable. are 1.2V. There are 1.5V versions out there, rechargable alkaline manganese, and the new lithium rechargables but you will pay more.
Depends on the toy. For example a CB transceiver walki-talki uses 8 alkaline batteries to come up with 12 volts, but has to use 10 rechargeable batteries to get the same voltage. In most low voltage applications (toys that only use from 1 to 4 batteries) it won’t be a problem and the slightly lower voltage shouldn’t cause them much of a problem.