9V Batteries

Everything You Wanted To Know About 9v Batteries But Didn't Think To Ask

Everyone has seen them and used them in some type of device; they look different than most batteries and you can never seem to find one when you need it. They are 9v batteries and they have been with us for several decades now. The 9v battery, also called a PP3 battery, first appeared when transistor radios became popular. Many old timers still call them transistor batteries because of their close association with transistor radios. The Eveready company first introduced this battery to the market in 1956. There are other types of 9v batteries, such as PP7 and PP9. These batteries were more common when transistor radios were first on the market, but are now much less common.

The 9v battery is shaped like a rounded rectangular prism and has a output of nine volts. They have both their positive and negative terminals on the same end. The negative terminal is designed as a snap fitting, or a female fitting, and is the larger of the two terminals. The positive terminal is the male fitting. The batteries are commonly used in smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, radio-controlled battery operated controllers, and guitar effect units. They are also utilized as a backup power supply in alarm clocks and digital clocks. Multiple nine-volt batteries can be snapped together to form a series of batteries that will create a higher voltage. The PP3 type battery consists of six 1.5 volt cells, connected in series. As a comparison, an AAA battery is a single 1.5 volt cell.

9v batteries were created and introduced to power the transistor radio. The transistor radio became one of the most popular electronic communication gadgets in history. There were billions manufactured and sold from the mid-1950s through the 1970s. Because of their portability, they changed the way people listened to music. Their popularity eventually declined when boom boxes and portable cassette players became available, but they had made their mark on communication history, and it may not have been possible without the 9v battery.

Types of 9v batteries

Disposable alkaline batteries. The alkaline battery is the most common. They have a relatively long shelf life, superior leakage resistance, and work well in a wide range of temperatures. The alkaline battery was invented in the 1950s and patented in 1960, and has been one of the most popular batteries for many years.

Disposable Zinc-carbon batteries. This type is relatively inexpensive and has a low energy density. They fail to perform well at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. They are the least expensive type of battery and are common in items that are sold with batteries. They were the first dry battery sold for commercial use, and they made portable devices such as flashlights possible.

Rechargeable Alkaline batteries. Rechargeable alkaline nine-volt batteries will work for any device that usually takes disposable alkaline nine-volt batteries. They have a very long shelf life; they can carry their charge for several years.

Disposable Lithium Batteries. Lithium batteries last longer than alkaline batteries and are very powerful. They can last anywhere from seven to ten years in a smoke detector. They are common in all types of consumer electronics and are also becoming popular for electric car, aerospace, and military use. They come in many different shapes and sizes, making them perfect for a wide variety of devices and applications. Lithium batteries are toxic to the environment; proper disposal is essential.

Rechargeable NiCD Batteries. These type of batteries work in any type of device that accepts a nine-volt battery. They last a relatively long time and can be recharged approximately 500 times. Rechargeable NiCD batteries need to be discharged fully before recharging as they develop a â€œmemoryâ€ and lose their power more quickly when only allowed to discharge partially. Because they contain cadmium, they are also toxic to the environment.

Rechargeable NiMH Batteries. This type of battery are made from nickel-metal hydride and can be recharged up to 1,000 times and does not have a â€œmemory.â€ The first NiMH batteries for consumer use became available in 1989 after several years of research and development. NiMH batteries are not as toxic to the environment as most batteries.

9v batteries have many applications and have been in use for many years. They helped to bring in the era of portable music and they changed our music listening habits. Despite their popularity, they always seem to be the one battery we can never find when rummaging through the kitchen drawer.