Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: paul.fr on 24/04/2008 16:31:02

Title: Is there a battery missing from the list?
Post by: paul.fr on 24/04/2008 16:31:02

we have A, AA, AAA, C and D cell batteries, but what about B? Where are they? And why three types of A?

Title: Is there a battery missing from the list?
Post by: techmind on 24/04/2008 22:46:22

What's a single-A cell then?

I have a suspicion that there may be a B cell which is between the diameters of an AA and a C cell, but longer than both, and was used in some obsolete EverReady torches. Or was that B16 or somesuch?
But then again I might be completely mistaken. Some research needed!

Are there not also 'N' cells?

Title: Is there a battery missing from the list?
Post by: techmind on 28/04/2008 17:26:08

According to the 2007 Farnell catolgoue there is also an 'N' cell: 1.5V 30mm long and 12mm diameter.

There's also an EveryReady AAAA which is presumably smaller than an AAA "designed for use in small equipment" "fits laser pens". Dimensions for AAAA from another mnfr are 42.5mm long by 8.3mm dia., so it's only very slightly smaller/skinnier than an AAA.

No sign of any "B" cells.


See also this Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_battery_(vacuum_tubes)
Reckons that "B" was reserved for "high tension" batteries (90V or more) in the days of valve radios...

Title: Is there a battery missing from the list?
Post by: another_someone on 28/04/2008 20:32:29

The Wiki pages mentioned also suggest that the original question is erroneous, in that there is no 'A' sized battery (for the same reason there is no 'B' sized battery), but that the 'AA' and 'AAA' sized batteries ofcourse do exist.

Title: Is there a battery missing from the list?
Post by: Pumblechook on 28/04/2008 22:43:16

I had a valve portable set.  It used a 90 Volt battery.   Batteries were U2 ( call C now) or a flat thing with springy contacts - 4.5 Volt when I were a lad.  Then PP3, PP6, PP9 came along. 

Title: Is there a battery missing from the list?
Post by: paul.fr on 29/04/2008 00:16:41

Quote from: techmind on 24/04/2008 22:46:22

What's a single-A cell then?

I have a suspicion that there may be a B cell which is between the diameters of an AA and a C cell...

very interesting, thank you Andrew. The 'A' battery, i think i must have been suffering from 'a' blindness. my mistake.

Quote from: another_someone on 28/04/2008 20:32:29

The Wiki pages mentioned also suggest that the original question is erroneous, in that there is no 'A' sized battery (for the same reason there is no 'B' sized battery), but that the 'AA' and 'AAA' sized batteries ofcourse do exist.

yes I can read, and do occasionally make mistakes. however, if I wanted a
pedantic answer I would have asked for one.