Battery Conversion Techniques

Submitted by Kristi Keorkunian on Tue, 06/26/2007 - 11:29pm.

Instructional

Battery Adapter.jpg

There are a few common battery adaptation problems which are easily solved using conductive metal (or a stroke of genius). If you need "D" batteries and you only have "C" batteries, all you need is a few quarters and you're good to go. Additionally, if you have a 9V battery and you need triple "A's", all you have to do is pry apart the casing with some needlenose pliers and BAM - more triple A's than you probably need. Ah, the things folks think up, these days.

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Several yrs ago, I bought a

Submitted by michael rappaport (not verified) on Wed, 10/08/2008 - 5:50pm.

Several yrs ago, I bought a device which held 4 D batteries, and could substitute for a lantern 6 volt battery. I am interested in buying another, if available. Otherwise, I guess I could build one using the case from my spent 6 volt battery. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Well, if you notice, one of

Submitted by Kristi Keorkunian (not verified) on Wed, 06/27/2007 - 8:20pm.

Well, if you notice, one of the sites that links to the original intended site notes that this is to be used "in a pinch", meaning if you really REALLY need the possibility of more juice from a battery - more than the problem the device fizzing out represents - or you're just trying to experiment (and who knows why you'd do that!), it works in that pinch. Use your imagination, and thanks for the note!

_ KRISTI _

No, no, no. On the

Submitted by Arbitraitor (not verified) on Wed, 06/27/2007 - 7:26pm.

No, no, no.

On the contrary, I think folks DON'T think much these days.

We have different batteries for different purposes, believe it or not. While using C cells in a device requiring D cells SHOULDN'T kill anyone (unwise "adapter" practices notwithstanding...), you should be aware that "dees" hold approximately twice the charge of "cees." In other words, your toys will "die" roughly twice as fast; perhaps somewhat faster. Not to mention the extra batteries you'll be throwing away.

The 9 volt battery tip is worse. MOST but not ALL 9 volt batteries contain the six cells inside. Be careful. AND--get this--those batteries inside are NOT exactly quadruple-A. They have the dimensions and capacity, yes, but the polarities are reverse that of quadruple- and triple- A batteries. That's a difference worth mentioning. I noticed anyone failed to do so.

If you're really that impatient, this stuff just may work. Economically, environmentally, health-wise... This just doesn't save in the long run.

Oh, and on an unrelated note, one of the batteries pictured in that device there is backwards. The thing would heat up and melt.