Do you have a wall clock? Or a flashlight? Or a TV remote? All these things have only one source for their power supply - these are finger batteries . It’s not so easy to go and buy the right battery. You can choose it, of course, by its appearance, by name, price, or take a similar one to the one that was in the appliance earlier. However, for the high-quality operation of devices such as finger batteries, it is necessary to know and understand the essential differences of one type from another. So how do you make a choice?
First of all, it should be understood that finger-type salt rechargeable batteries can be of different capacities and different sizes. Their design is elementary simple: on the one hand is the anode, on the other is the cathode, and an electrolyte is located between them.
The cylindrical shape itself for such a device as finger batteries was not chosen by chance. A narrow cylinder with the same capacity has a higher heat dissipation coefficient and lower resistance. Label such devices according to the law with the letter R and a number (for example, R11).
The main criteria for choosing devices such as finger batteries are the working conditions. These can be large loads (with a current strength of 0.2 amperes), medium (0.1 amperes) and small (less than 0.01 amperes). Large loads can be seen when using batteries in flashlights, cameras, pressure meters and turntables. The middle ones go when working in children's toys. A small load is typical for a wall clock. Undoubtedly, in all these cases, the battery will behave very differently.
It is also necessary to remember the direct influence of the external environment on the performance of such a device as finger batteries. At a low temperature, the electrolyte conductivity decreases, and the capacity of the source decreases. A conventional battery can tolerate temperatures from zero to fifty degrees. The battery is most discharged at the very beginning of storage. Therefore, you should not buy batteries in the winter in the open.
Batteries can be divided into lithium, alkaline and salt (they differ in the nature of their electrolyte).
The main disadvantage of salt elements can be called a decrease in the operating voltage in the discharge time. The performance of such a battery will be higher under medium and heavy loads with intermittent conditions. You can often see that when the battery is completely discharged, electrolyte will leak out of it. This type of finger battery is the most common due to its low cost.
Alkaline batteries are more durable. They work perfectly at low temperatures and better retain their properties during continuous work. Naturally, their price will be significantly higher than that of salt ones.
And finally, it should be said about lithium batteries. They are relatively expensive (more expensive than alkaline and salt), but they have amazing energy characteristics, high operating voltage, stability, a wide range of discharge currents and operating temperatures, a long service life and storage.