- #1
maze
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Is it dangerous to put, say, 100 D-cell batteries in series (the type you find in a flashlight)?
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the safety concerns of connecting multiple D-cell batteries in series, particularly focusing on the potential dangers associated with high voltage and the risk of electric shock or injury. Participants explore various aspects of this topic, including voltage levels, the effects of electric current on the human body, and the risks of short-circuiting batteries.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
- Exploratory
Main Points Raised
- Some participants suggest that while 100 D-cell batteries in series can produce dangerous voltages, the level of danger is subjective and depends on context.
- Warren mentions that 40 volts is generally below the threshold of sensation, implying that voltages below this level are typically safer.
- Another participant notes that using fully charged ni-cad or alkaline batteries could yield voltages of 125 to 150 volts, which they believe could be lethal.
- There is a discussion about the potential for lower voltages, such as 6V, to be dangerous if blood is involved, with one participant questioning the possibility of disrupting heart rhythms.
- Concerns are raised about the fire and explosion risks associated with short-circuiting batteries, especially in enclosed spaces.
- Participants express curiosity about the motivations behind the inquiry into battery safety, suggesting that there may be better alternatives for whatever application is being considered.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views on the dangers of high voltage from batteries, with no clear consensus on what constitutes a safe level or the specific risks involved. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact implications of using multiple batteries in series.
Contextual Notes
Some assumptions about the effects of voltage on the human body and the conditions under which electric shock may occur are not fully explored. The discussion also lacks a detailed analysis of the specific circumstances that could lead to injury or fatality.
- #2
chroot
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That depends on your definition of "danger," I guess. It's less dangerous than typical 120V household mains, but it could still kill you.
- Warren
- Warren
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- #3
Bob S
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Their rating is about 2000 milliamp-hours, so you could light a 100-watt bulb for a few minutes. But it is dangerous to touch both ends at the same time.maze said:
- #4
maze
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What is a reasonable limit where you don't have to worry about dying?
- #5
chroot
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40 volts is generally below the threshold of sensation, with dry skin. Below that, you're generally safe.
- Warren
- Warren
- #6
RonL
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If the cells are ni-cads and fully charged you would have 125 volts DC, and if they are alkaline, you would have 150 volts DC, I believe both would kill a person.maze said:
- #7
maze
- 661
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Thanks all, I will keep this in mind.
I was googling around to find the answer to this, and as a result have another interesting but less practical question. A website claimed that if you have huge bleeding cuts on your hands, then the liquid blood could complete a circuit with much less resistance, thereby electrocuting you with as low as a 6V battery. Is this true?
I was googling around to find the answer to this, and as a result have another interesting but less practical question. A website claimed that if you have huge bleeding cuts on your hands, then the liquid blood could complete a circuit with much less resistance, thereby electrocuting you with as low as a 6V battery. Is this true?
- #8
chroot
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I don't know about electrocuting (killing) you, but it'd probably hurt like hell. Put a 9V battery on your tongue for a sample.
- Warren
- Warren
- #9
maze
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Thats what I thought, but blood vessels travel through the heart on the way from one hand to another, so it seemed possible that it could disrupt the heartbeat rhythm.
- #10
mgb_phys
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There is also a fire and explosion risk if you short circuit them, especially if they are enclosed and so can't cool easily
- #11
bobber_adam
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Are you actually thinking about doing this for something or are you asking this hypothetically? If so may I ask why? There might be better solutions.
- #12
Dadface
- 2,489
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chroot said:
Ah the tongue voltmeter.Not to be recommended.
- #13
0xDEADBEEF
- 815
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Dadface said:Ah the tongue voltmeter.Not to be recommended.
Here people give advice on some deadly current machine and you are warning against 9V block licking?
- #14
Dadface
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0xDEADBEEF said:Here people give advice on some deadly current machine and you are warning against 9V block licking?
Well,I like the taste of chlorine I get after eating a bag of salted peanuts and when I spark up I demonstrate the squeaky pop test for hydrogen.The biggest problem is that the tongue voltmeter is so difficult to calibrate.
- #15
overt26
- 22
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I've seen something similar done with 9V cells which clip nicely together in an end-to-end series chain of any arbitrary length.
Seemed dangerous to me once you got above the safe ELV.
Seemed dangerous to me once you got above the safe ELV.