13-10-2016, 04:05 PM
(This post was last modified: 13-10-2016, 04:12 PM by Mike Watterson.)
"When they checked them, one of the staff suggested that the reverse charged cell had been manufactured with the guts put in backwards!"
Not possible except on composite batteries such as layer cells or multiple cylindrical. Even then I can't believe it!
For Alkaline the case is connected to positive. On Zinc carbon/Chloride the case is -Ve electrode. I've had a problem with Alkaline D cells, the cover is thin plastic film easily pierced by metal chassis (invariably connected to -ve), thus shorting the cell even in single cell holders. So I print vintage 120gm or heaver labels on the laser.
I got a cheap 1.5V & 9V mechanical test meter for a few quid on eBay. It has a parallel resistance to ensure adequate load to test 1.5V cells or 9V battery. No being fooled by DVM (1M or 10M load and it needs a working battery inside!)
I found the Kodak Alkaline are OK and the Sony, Polariod or Kodak PP3 (layer or alkaline) OK. But I have found all makes of "Zinc" cells to be junk, with invariably a early leak / failure rate as high as 1 in 4 at about 1/10th of normal Zinc running time! Alkaline PP3 only worth extra for DVM and smoke alarms, the extra cost isn't covered by run time in 9V, 45V, 67V or 90V radio, only things were you need 1 year+ life.
Alkaline cells can recharge well if not discharged more than 1/3rd. (Slowly!)
Not possible except on composite batteries such as layer cells or multiple cylindrical. Even then I can't believe it!
For Alkaline the case is connected to positive. On Zinc carbon/Chloride the case is -Ve electrode. I've had a problem with Alkaline D cells, the cover is thin plastic film easily pierced by metal chassis (invariably connected to -ve), thus shorting the cell even in single cell holders. So I print vintage 120gm or heaver labels on the laser.
I got a cheap 1.5V & 9V mechanical test meter for a few quid on eBay. It has a parallel resistance to ensure adequate load to test 1.5V cells or 9V battery. No being fooled by DVM (1M or 10M load and it needs a working battery inside!)
I found the Kodak Alkaline are OK and the Sony, Polariod or Kodak PP3 (layer or alkaline) OK. But I have found all makes of "Zinc" cells to be junk, with invariably a early leak / failure rate as high as 1 in 4 at about 1/10th of normal Zinc running time! Alkaline PP3 only worth extra for DVM and smoke alarms, the extra cost isn't covered by run time in 9V, 45V, 67V or 90V radio, only things were you need 1 year+ life.
Alkaline cells can recharge well if not discharged more than 1/3rd. (Slowly!)
