Comparison of Several Popular Battery Types

Main Volts
Basic Anode Cathode
Cell Type* Electrolyte per Advantages & Applications Disadvantages
Type** material Material
Material Cell
Ammonium Output capacity decreases as it
Carbon-Zinc Manganese Low cost, good shelf life. Useful for flashlights, toys,
P Zinc chloride, zinc 1.5 drains; poor performance at
("Leclanché") dioxide and small appliances.
chloride low temperatures.
Good service at high drain, leak resistant, good low-
Manganese Relatively expensive for
Zinc Chloride P Zinc Zinc Chloride 1.5 temperature performance. Useful for flashlights,
dioxide novelty usage.
toys, and small appliances.
High efficiency under moderate, continuous drains, Primary cells are expensive for
"Alkaline" (Zinc-
Manganese Potassium long shelf life, good low-temperature performance. novelty usage. Secondary cells
Manganese P or S Zinc 1.5
dioxide hydroxide Useful for camera flash units, motor-driven devices, have a limited number of
Dioxide)
portable radios. recharge cycles.
Limited low-temperature
Car Battery Lead Low cost, spill resistant (sealed batteries). Useful for performance. Vented cells
S Lead Sulfuric acid 2
(Lead-Acid) dioxide automobiles and cordless electric lawn mowers. require maintenance. Cells are
relatively heavy.

Excellent cycle life; flat discharge curve; good high-

and low-temperature performance; high resistance
to shock and vibration. Useful for any noncritical
"Ni-Cd" (Nickel- Nickel Potassium High initial cost; only fair
S Cadmium 1.2 small appliances that have periodic usage cycles,
Cadmium) hydroxide hydroxide charge retention.
such as portable hand tools, tape players, and toys.
When batteries are exhausted,
they can be recharged before the next needed use.

interberg batteries tel : 34-918513213

mirador de despeñaperros 17 fax : 34918516076
28400 collado villalba (madrid) e-mail interberg@wanadoo.es
spain www.gratisweb.com/interberg_batteries
 Relatively flat discharge curve; relatively high
energy density; good high-temperature Poor low-temperature
Mercuric
P Zinc Potassium 1.35 performance; good service maintenance. Useful for performance in some
oxide
hydroxide critical appliances, such as walkie-talkies, paging, situations.
Mercuric Oxide
hearing aids, and test equipment.
No memory effects (like Ni-Cd has), good high-
"Ni-MH" Hydrogen
Potassium power performance, good low-temperature High initial cost, relatively high
(Nickel-Metal S storage Nickel oxide 1.5
hydroxide performance. Useful for portable devices where the rate of self-discharge.
Hydride) metal
duty cycle varies from use to use.
Silver is very expensive; poor
High energy density; flat discharge curve. Useful for storage and maintenance
Potassium
Silver Oxide P or S Zinc Silver oxide 1.5 very small appliances such as calculators, watches, characteristics. Rechargeable
hydroxide
and hearing aids. cells have a very limited
number of cycles.
Potassium High energy density in small cells. Flat discharge
Zinc-Air P Zinc Oxygen 1.25 Dries out quickly.
hydroxide rate.
Lithium salts 1.0 - Limited high-rate capacities;
Lithium P Lithium Iron sulfide Good energy density.
in ether 3.6 safety concerns.
* -- Common name, ** -- P=Primary, S=Secondary (Rechargeable)

interberg batteries tel : 34-918513213

mirador de despeñaperros 17 fax : 34918516076
28400 collado villalba (madrid) e-mail interberg@wanadoo.es
spain www.gratisweb.com/interberg_batteries