Simple battery question - which one to use?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around selecting an appropriate battery setup for a motor that operates at 6V, with a focus on maximizing runtime. Participants explore different battery configurations and their implications on performance and current delivery.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires whether a 6V lithium-manganese battery with a capacity of 1.5 Ah or four 1.5V C batteries with a total capacity of 8.35 Ah connected in series would provide longer runtime for a motor drawing 2A.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of internal resistance in batteries, suggesting that it is crucial for determining performance rather than just capacity.
  • A different participant notes that the original 12V lead-acid battery has a greater current capacity than the proposed alternatives and suggests considering 6V lead-acid batteries as an option.
  • One participant proposes using a 12V-to-6V DC-DC converter to maintain the 12V lead-acid battery while supplying the required voltage to the motor, mentioning both DIY and pre-made options.
  • There is a humorous remark about a specific 12V to 6V converter found online, highlighting a misunderstanding about its functionality.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the best battery setup, with no consensus reached on which option would provide the longest runtime or optimal performance for the motor.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully explored the implications of internal resistance on battery performance, and there are unresolved questions regarding the specific current delivery capabilities of the proposed battery setups.

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My circuit powers a motor which draws about 2A of current out of my 12V lead acid battery.
12V is too much. So I want to change the battery setup.
I want the new battery setup to last as long as possible.
If I continuously use the motor which setup will last the longest?

1) one 6V lithium-manganese photo battery @ 1.5 Ah

or

2) four 1.5V C sized batteries each @ 8.35 Ah connected in series to make 6V

If I use setup 2, will my motor have access to more current?
I know that the motor can only draw current as fast as the chemical reaction takes place in the batteries.

Will setup 2 make my motor go faster than setup 1?
 
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"Ah" refers to the energy content of the battery, not the batterys internal resistance, which is what you need to know to answer your question.

Quiz question. What is the general internal resistance of a LiMg battery vs (guess NiMh) C cell?
 
The lead acid 12-volt battery your talking about has a much greater current capacity, than either of the others you listed.
You need only 6-volts? There are plenty of 6-volt lead acid batteries available, and not much larger than 4-5 decks of playing cards.
 
Or you could stay with the 12V lead-acid car battery for the power source, and just use a 12V-to-6V DC-DC converter to make your output for the motor. You could build it yourself (like out of the National Instruments Simple Switcher series, using the Buck Converter configuration), or you can just buy a pre-made unit (I googled 12V to 6V converter, and got lots of hits).

BTW, this is just too funny. One of the first hits on that Google search was for a 12V to 6V converter, that "Allows a 6-volt wiper motor to work with a 12-volt electrical system."

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-5754

It's a freaking power resistor! :rolleyes: OMG! :smile:
 

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