AA-sized conductor (fake battery) wanted

[Eldor]

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same size,
so that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower voltage
(N-1 x 1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I can make a
"configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at various
voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge at any voltage
level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

 

[baron]

Eldor Inscribed thus:

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same size,
so that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower voltage
(N-1 x 1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I can make a
"configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at
various voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge at
any voltage level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

Whats wrong with a piece of rolled up cardboard ?

--
Best Regards:
Baron.

 

[D Yuniskis]

On 1/13/2011 4:01 AM, Eldor wrote:

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same size,
so that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower voltage
(N-1 x 1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I can make a
"configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Many handheld radios are equipped with exactly this sort of
thing (i.e., I have a couple of such radios, each with a pair
of die-cast "fake batteries" -- nothing more than 0 ohm spacers).
This allows different battery technologies to be used in the
radio.

You could fabricate one using a length of copper pipe with
suitable "end caps" soldered on.

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at various
voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge at any voltage
level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

 

[D Yuniskis]

On 1/13/2011 4:24 AM, baron wrote:

Eldor Inscribed thus:

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same size,
so that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower voltage
(N-1 x 1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I can make a
"configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at
various voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge at
any voltage level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

Whats wrong with a piece of rolled up cardboard ?

Cardboard isn't a very good conductor at low voltages :>

 

[JW]

On Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:01:01 +0100 Eldor <eldor@example.com> wrote in
Message id: <4d2edb51$0$77558$892e0abb@auth.newsreader.octanews.com>:

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same size,
so that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower voltage
(N-1 x 1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I can make a
"configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at various
voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge at any voltage
level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

How about this:
http://www.amazon.com/Quantum-ES2-Dummy-Battery-Energy/dp/B0000C5RR8
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/43271-REG/Quantum_Instruments_ES2_ES2_Energy_Saver.html

 

[William Sommerwerck]

How about this:
http://www.amazon.com/Quantum-ES2-Dummy-Battery-Energy/dp/B0000C5RR8

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/43271-REG/Quantum_Instruments_ES2_ES2_Energy_Saver.html

These would obviously do what the OP wanted -- though the price is not
right. One might solder lengths of copper tubing (which you can get at hobby
stores) to metal disks -- but I don't know how sturdy they'd be.

WARNING! The following is off-topic -- but worth thinking about.

These dummy cells are supposed to be energy savers, because they let you use
only three AA alkaline cells in a four-cell flash. This works, because most
flashes operate correctly with nicad or NiMH cells, which are nominally
1.25V (rather than the 1.5V of alkalines).

However, this is a great way to waste money -- and not just the cost of the
dummy cell. With only three cells in the flash, you won't be able to
discharge them to as low a voltage as you would with four. That means you'll
have to discard them sooner, and you'll get less total energy out of them.

 

[PeterD]

On Thu, 13 Jan 2011 04:57:10 -0700, D Yuniskis
<not.going.to.be@seen.com> wrote:

On 1/13/2011 4:24 AM, baron wrote:
Eldor Inscribed thus:

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same size,
so that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower voltage
(N-1 x 1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I can make a
"configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at
various voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge at
any voltage level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

Whats wrong with a piece of rolled up cardboard ?

Cardboard isn't a very good conductor at low voltages :

It is if you start with a piece of 18 AWG wire in the center!

 

[Wild_Bill]

I was going to suggest searching for Dummy AA Battery, but then another
reply already has.
That Shack store used to supply those with some of their products.. you
might see if they can get them for you.

D Yuniskis' comment refers to a fairly common usage, the dummy cells first
became popular when AA nicads batteries became commonly available.

Many portable devices were capable of being powered by AA cells, and since
nicad cells were only 1.2V, it required 10 of 'em to operate a device where
8 non-rechargeable cells of 1.5V would be adequate.

So, the equipment manufacturers made the dummy AA "fillers" available to
give the user the option of using nicads or conventional cells.

I believe all of the dummies that I've seen have been simple single-piece
zinc/aluminum alloy diecast items, with round ends and a flat bar center
section to make them more lightweight and cheaper to produce (using less
metal).

In recent years, when I've needed such fillers, I've formed them out of
heavy gage solid copper wire.
I'll start with a close spiral forming a flat disc shape, then move away
from it and form another one (with a center pip) at the other end. A
straight section in the center, separating two round flat discs the same
length as a AA cell.

Any metal washers or discs of the correct diameter with a rigid center
separator could be soldered together faster than forming one from solid 12
ga wire.
Brass, copper or plated steel parts would be adequate, and the center
doesn't need to be cylindrical.

When I was making an external power adapter for a camera, 4 AA cells were
arranged in 2 lengthwise pairs (4 cells, 2x2), so I used some nylon rod the
same diameter as the cells. I used a plated brass disk for the (-) terminal,
and an end cap from a glass fuse for the (+) top terminal.

--
Cheers,
WB
..............


"Eldor" <eldor@example.com> wrote in message
news:4d2edb51$0$77558$892e0abb@auth.newsreader.octanews.com...

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same size, so
that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower voltage (N-1 x
1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I can make a
"configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at various
voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge at any voltage
level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

 

[William Sommerwerck]

WARNING! The following is off-topic -- but worth thinking about.

These dummy cells are supposed to be energy savers, because they
let you use only three AA alkaline cells in a four-cell flash. This works,
because most flashes operate correctly with nicad or NiMH cells, which
are nominally 1.25V (rather than the 1.5V of alkalines).

However, this is a great way to waste money -- and not just the cost
of the dummy cell. With only three cells in the flash, you won't be able
to discharge them to as low a voltage as you would with four. That means
you'll have to discard them sooner, and you'll get less total energy out
of
them.

I just called Quantum, and found out that these actually aren't "energy
savers" at all. In fact, there might be circuitry in them (which is why
there are two models).

If you own a Canon flash (I assume Nikons are the same) and have read the
wretched manual, you know that, when using an external power pack, you must
leave the AA cells in the flash, because they continue to power the control
circuitry. It appears that going from 4 cells to 3 reduces the drain on the
cells, and presumably extends their life.

 

[Jim Yanik]

Eldor <eldor@example.com> wrote in
news:4d2edb51$0$77558$892e0abb@auth.newsreader.octanews.com:

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same size,
so that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower voltage
(N-1 x 1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I can make a
"configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at various
voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge at any voltage
level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

get a dowel of the same diameter as your batteries,cut to length of each
cell,cut a groove down the side,and put a copper wire in it,folded over and
curled around at the ends. if you wish,you can get fancy and epoxy the wire
down.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
localnet
dot com

 

[Smitty Two]

In article <4d2edb51$0$77558$892e0abb@auth.newsreader.octanews.com>,
Eldor <eldor@example.com> wrote:

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same size,
so that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower voltage
(N-1 x 1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I can make a
"configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at various
voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge at any voltage
level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

As an alternative, Radio Shack and other suppliers have AA and AAA
battery holders, in say 3-cell and 4-cell configurations, with movable
contacts. This permits you to use different numbers of cells, or choose
between parallel and series configurations, just by slipping the stamped
metal contacts out of one groove and into another.

I designed a little gadget for a customer using a 4-cell AAA unit. I set
it up for 3-cell operation, and use the 4th slot for a small circuit
board. The boxes come with a cover and an integral ON-OFF switch. Pretty
handy. They're about $2 each at Radio Shack, and I pay about a $1 each
in 100 pc. qty. from Mouser, etc.

 

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:01:01 +0100, Eldor <eldor@example.com> wrote:

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same size,
so that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower voltage
(N-1 x 1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I can make a
"configurable voltage" battery.

Find a dead AA battery. Make sure it's totally discharged. Wrap with
aluminum foil. Instant shorted battery.

If you want elegance, take a brass or aluminum shaft that's the same
diameter as the AA positive tip. Build up the diameter until it's the
same size as the AA outer diameter with cardboard, Duct Tape, or some
combination thereof. Maybe a wooden dowel center drilled for the
metal rod. Hide everything under some nice looking shrink tube. You
may need a wider negative contact area depending on the holder, so
adding a brass washer at the base might be useful.


--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

 

[nesesu]

On Jan 13, 6:17 am, Jim Yanik <jya...@abuse.gov> wrote:

Eldor <el...@example.com> wrote innews:4d2edb51$0$77558$892e0abb@auth.newsreader.octanews.com:

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same size,
so that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower voltage
(N-1 x 1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I can make a
"configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at various
voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge at any voltage
level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

get a dowel of the same diameter as your batteries,cut to length of each
cell,cut a groove down the side,and put a copper wire in it,folded over and
curled around at the ends. if you wish,you can get fancy and epoxy the wire
down.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
localnet
dot com

get a dowel of the same diameter as your batteries,cut to length of each
cell,cut a groove down the side,and put a copper wire in it,folded over and
curled around at the ends. if you wish,you can get fancy and epoxy the wire
down.

--
Jim Yanik

Or drill a hole up the centre and put a nail through it cut accurately
to length.

Neil S.

 

[Baron]

D Yuniskis Inscribed thus:

On 1/13/2011 4:24 AM, baron wrote:
Eldor Inscribed thus:

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same
size, so that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower
voltage (N-1 x 1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I
can make a "configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at
various voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge at
any voltage level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

Whats wrong with a piece of rolled up cardboard ?

Cardboard isn't a very good conductor at low voltages :

Sorry ! My brain fart :-(
I meant to write "Whats wrong with a piece of alloy foil wrapped over
rolled up cardboard ?"

--
Best Regards:
Baron.

 

[Meat Plow]

On Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:01:01 +0100, Eldor wrote:

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same size,
so that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower voltage
(N-1 x 1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I can make a
"configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at various
voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge at any voltage
level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

Radio Shack used to sell them.

--
Live Fast, Die Young and Leave a Pretty Corpse

 

[D Yuniskis]

On 1/13/2011 1:46 PM, Baron wrote:

D Yuniskis Inscribed thus:

On 1/13/2011 4:24 AM, baron wrote:
Eldor Inscribed thus:

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same
size, so that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower
voltage (N-1 x 1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I
can make a "configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at
various voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge at
any voltage level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

Whats wrong with a piece of rolled up cardboard ?

Cardboard isn't a very good conductor at low voltages :

Sorry ! My brain fart :-(
I meant to write "Whats wrong with a piece of alloy foil wrapped over
rolled up cardboard ?"

Wrapping the foil might be tricky -- especially if it
*is* "foil" -- since you want a durable and reliable
contact surface yet can't really tolerate lumps, bumps,
etc. "Shrink-wrap-aluminum"! Now *that* would be
an idea! :> (not "shrink-WRAPPED-aluminum")

The ideal would be to turn a length of copper dowel to
the correct profile and then encase in shrink wrap.
But, I suspect the OP doesn't have access to a lathe
(though many people *have* lathes so "asking around"
could be an option -- note that the profile is probably
published as a standard someplace so it's just a matter
of getting someone to give you 3 minutes of time on a
lathe).

My "dummy cells" look like "I" beams in cross section.
I.e., imagine the top and bottom 1/10th of an inch of a
cell joined by a thick *sheet* of metal. Very obviously
castings and saved on material by not making them
solid cylinders.

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

On Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:01:01 +0100, the renowned Eldor
<eldor@example.com> wrote:

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same size,
so that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower voltage
(N-1 x 1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I can make a
"configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at various
voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge at any voltage
level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

You could probably adapt a AAA->AA adapter pretty easily. Cost < $1
each from China a couple at a time.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

 

[Larry]

"Eldor" <eldor@example.com> wrote in message
news:4d2edb51$0$77558$892e0abb@auth.newsreader.octanews.com...

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same size, so
that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a lower voltage (N-1 x
1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so that I can make a
"configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at various
voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge at any voltage
level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

Check at Home Depot for aluminum rod.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?keyword=aluminum+rod&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Larry

 

[Eldor]

Thank you, thank you everybody, it's enough ))
Now I have a few things to try!!
:-D

 

[baron]

D Yuniskis Inscribed thus:

On 1/13/2011 1:46 PM, Baron wrote:
D Yuniskis Inscribed thus:

On 1/13/2011 4:24 AM, baron wrote:
Eldor Inscribed thus:

Hello all NG

I am looking for a fake AA battery, i.e. a conductor of the same
size, so that I can put it in an AA battery holder and have a
lower voltage (N-1 x 1.5V) . Actually I want multiple of them so
that I can make a "configurable voltage" battery.

I have looked around but I can't find it. Does anybody know any?

Alternatively I could look for a battery which can be charged at
various voltage levels, but it needs to hold a significant charge
at any voltage level. I don't think it exists.

Thanks for any help

Whats wrong with a piece of rolled up cardboard ?

Cardboard isn't a very good conductor at low voltages :

Sorry ! My brain fart :-(
I meant to write "Whats wrong with a piece of alloy foil wrapped over
rolled up cardboard ?"

Wrapping the foil might be tricky -- especially if it
*is* "foil" -- since you want a durable and reliable
contact surface yet can't really tolerate lumps, bumps,
etc. "Shrink-wrap-aluminum"! Now *that* would be
an idea! :> (not "shrink-WRAPPED-aluminum")

I've actually used rolled up cardboard and wrapped aluminium cooking
foil round it, folding the ends over to make contact surfaces. It
works quite well. I imagine that its current carrying capacity would
be quite low.

The ideal would be to turn a length of copper dowel to
the correct profile and then encase in shrink wrap.
But, I suspect the OP doesn't have access to a lathe
(though many people *have* lathes so "asking around"
could be an option -- note that the profile is probably
published as a standard someplace so it's just a matter
of getting someone to give you 3 minutes of time on a
lathe).

Actually a hacksaw and a short length of 0.5" or 13.0mm bar/rod cut to
2" or 51mm long would do !

My "dummy cells" look like "I" beams in cross section.
I.e., imagine the top and bottom 1/10th of an inch of a
cell joined by a thick *sheet* of metal. Very obviously
castings and saved on material by not making them
solid cylinders.

I've seen something similar made from mazak alloy.

--
Best Regards:
Baron.