What Is Inside a Screw Top Lantern Battery?

Lantern batteries are used to power larger flashlights.

A screw-top lantern battery is used to power items requiring relatively high voltage. These include large flashlights and lanterns, especially those used for backup lighting. These batteries consist of an oblong case containing a number of electrochemical cells.

Misconceptions

Contrary to popular belief, a battery and an electrical cell are different. A cell is the individual voltage-producing unit. A battery refers to one or more connected cells. A screw-top lantern battery is comprised of a number of cells connected to each other and to a pair of screw-top terminals.

Construction and Features

Within the battery case are several metal cans, or electrochemical cells, connected via terminals. Inside the cans are two electrodes (metal plates) and an electrolyte (a paste or fluid that conducts electricity). A chemical reaction takes place inside each cell that produces electricity. The cells are connected to the contacts of two screw terminals.

Warning

A long-running Internet rumor claims that a large lantern battery may contain as many as 32 AA-sized batteries. This is totally false. Besides, disassembling a battery is dangerous as it contains toxic substances and may also pose the risk of electric shock. In any case, the cells inside cannot be used in place of ordinary consumer batteries.

References

• TheodoreGray.Com: Periodic Table: Extracting Graphite Rods From a Lantern Battery
• Highfields Amateur Radio Club Glossary: Battery Details
• HyperPhysics: Electrochemical Cells
• Snopes.Com: 6-Volt Battery Hack

Resources

• Teachers.Net Lesson Plans: Making A Wet Cell Battery