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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by SubArcticTundra@lemmy.ml to c/technology@beehaw.org

I know these are currently out of fashion but I'm still thankful they exist.

Let's remind ourselves of devices that use(d) these standardized batteries:

  • Toys
  • Digital cameras
  • Torches
  • Gadgets like fans
  • Wireless keyboards
  • TV remotes

Thanks to having a standardized system of batteries,

  • You can use the same battery across several devices. This is a no brainer but it's very practical.
  • Batteries can charge quicker thanks to being put in a dedicated charger and not being limited by USB cables. (But yes I concede that USB has been updated for faster charging over the years)
  • Devices don't have down time when their battery is charging. To charge, the battery is removed from the device and can immediately be replaced with a fresh one.
  • You'll never have to trash a device due to an expired battery. Just buy a replacement. And building on this...
  • Any improvements in future battery technology can be retro-fitted into your existing devices. And there is a high incentive for future improvement, because...
  • An accessible (due to easy replacement) and large (due to many devices) battery market is very attractive to competition.

If you look at the pros I listed, they all happen to be things that would be very useful for electric cars. So I think it would aid the adoption of electric cars if their batteries were standardized too.

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[-] jaschen@lemm.ee 33 points 1 year ago

The downside is the volt is not 1.5volts. Its closer to 1.2volts. This is fine if you're using 2 batteries for things like the TV remote. But when you're using things that require more than 4 batteries, then you might get into some weirdness. I have a remote for my DSLR that sends infrared to the softbox. Every 10 shots, it would miss the shot. It turned out to be the batteries. It needed all 6Volts vs 4.8Volts.

[-] wim 11 points 1 year ago

These days there's also Lithium ion AA batteries, with different voltages. You can get them downvolted to anything from 1.5 to 1.8V.

The ones over 1.5V are commonly used in applications with electronic motors, since it allows you to effectively overdrive the toy or whatever it is you're powering.

Life hax right here

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this post was submitted on 07 Aug 2023
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