Experiment about Discharging Batteries

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the experimental process of discharging AAA batteries, specifically focusing on measuring capacity at a constant current of 1A. Participants explore methods for achieving this discharge rate, the implications of discharge current on battery capacity, and the challenges of measuring the electromotive force (emf) during the discharge process.

Discussion Character

  • Experimental/applied
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a method to discharge a AAA battery at a constant 1A current to avoid long wait times.
  • Another suggests that using a low capacity battery could help achieve quicker results.
  • A participant emphasizes the importance of understanding how discharge current affects battery capacity, noting that higher currents result in lower capacity readings.
  • There is a discussion about using Ohm's law to select an appropriate resistor for discharging the battery.
  • A participant mentions using a NiMH battery, specifically an Eneloop, which reportedly maintains capacity better at higher discharge rates compared to alkaline batteries.
  • Concerns are raised about measuring the true emf of the battery while discharging, with questions about what constitutes "true" emf.
  • Participants discuss the feasibility of measuring open circuit emf and suggest methods for obtaining necessary data for plotting discharge curves.
  • One participant questions the relevance of open circuit voltage in the context of discharge curves, suggesting that load voltage is typically more significant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the importance of measuring open circuit emf versus load voltage during battery discharge. There is no consensus on the best approach to measuring emf while discharging the battery, and the implications of discharge current on capacity remain a point of contention.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on battery type (alkaline vs. NiMH) and the potential variability in internal resistance as the battery discharges. The discussion also highlights the need for careful measurement techniques to ensure accurate data collection.

johnsmith12345
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I am trying to find the capacity of a AAA battery by discharging it. How would I be able to discharge the battery at a 1A current so that I don't have to wait for a long period of time?
 
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How would I be able to discharge the battery at a 1A current so that I don't have to wait for a long period of time?
... pick a low capacity battery.
 
I was actually inquiring more about the constant 1A current discharge bit.
 
Ah - not the time part.
Use Ohm's law and pick an appropriate resistor.
 
You realize that the discharge current affects the capacity?
If it's discharged at just a few mA, a AAA alkaline battery can deliver around 1200mAh. However at a current of 400mA the capacity is only 400mAh and at 1A it will be even much less than that. That's why alkaline batteries are really bad for digital cameras.
http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/l92.pdf
 
DrZoidberg said:
You realize that the discharge current affects the capacity?
If it's discharged at just a few mA, a AAA alkaline battery can deliver around 1200mAh. However at a current of 400mA the capacity is only 400mAh and at 1A it will be even much less than that. That's why alkaline batteries are really bad for digital cameras.
http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/l92.pdf

Well I'm actually using a NiMH battery. It happens to be one of those eneloops so looking from the data sheets on their website, the capacity doesn't decrease a lot with an increase in the discharge current.

The only problem I am facing now is that I can't measure the true emf acrosss the battery at the same time I am discharging it. Does anyone have a solution?
 
What do you mean by "true" emf?
 
Simon Bridge said:
What do you mean by "true" emf?

The emf of the battery without connecting it to any resistors.
 
Well, there is no way to measure the open circuit emf without opening the circuit.
You could just throw a switch.

What do you need to know that for though?
You may want to see how the internal resistance varies as the battery loses energy.
 
  • #10
Well I need it so that I can get enough data about the open circuit emf to plot a discharge curve.
 
  • #11
http://www.powerstream.com/AA-tests.htm
http://www.mpoweruk.com/performance.htm
... I don't see anyone using open-circuit voltage for the discharge curves - but you can just open the circuit periodically to measure it. If the internal resistance is fairly constant, you can calculate the open-circuit voltage from the closed circuit one. You'll want to keep the battery at a reasonably constant temperature though.
 
  • #12
johnsmith12345 said:
Well I need it so that I can get enough data about the open circuit emf to plot a discharge curve.
I think you'll find that the open circuit emf is generally not of much interest. (Though maybe you have a niche application where it is.) You should check that you are required to plot the no-load voltage, as that would be unusual. Most common would be a plot of load voltage vs. time while the load current is maintained at some specified constant level.

I think for common types the no-load voltage changes very little, once past the initial drop.
Immediately after the cell has its load removed the voltage takes some time to rise and reach a steady value. Do you intend allowing your cell time to recover before measuring your no-load voltage?
 

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