The Disadvantages of Alkaline Batteries
Alkaline Batteries are one of several types of "dry cell" designs which use a solid electrode surrounded by a chemical paste to generate electricity. These typically come in 1.5-volt, 6-volt, and 9-volt designs. Alkaline cells were introduced into the marketplace in the 1960s. Alkaline batteries are clearly superior to the older zinc-carbon type, but are not on par with some newer battery designs.
Other People Are Reading
-
Alkaline Energy Loss
-
Alkaline batteries work well for equipment that draws a low current over a long period of time. For instance, an alkaline battery can power devices which require 1/4 amp of current for up to eight hours. A 1-amp current draw discharges the battery below a usable voltage in just over one hour. So alkaline batteries are not recommended for items which draw a lot of current such as a digital camera; however, they work fine for a desktop weather station, for instance.
Alkaline Temperature Vulnerability
-
Alkaline batteries perform poorly as temperatures drop. For instance, the Energizer E92 AAA Alkaline battery loses 40 percent of its performance for a typical load when temperatures are at 32 degrees Fahrenheit versus 68 degrees Fahrenheit according to the University of Wisconsin.
-
Alkaline Battery Expense
-
Alkaline batteries are two to three times more expensive than their zinc-carbon counterparts, so this is an important consideration when purchasing. They do not last as long as LimH versions.
Leakage, Explosion Potential
-
Alkaline batteries are not rechargeable except under special, controlled circumstances not available to the average consumer. Even then, the procedure produces unpredictable results.
This makes alkaline batteries less cost-effective than a rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery. Attempting to recharge an alkaline battery with a "typical" battery charger may cause the battery to rupture or even explode.
-
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
