this post was submitted on 14 Sep 2023
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Do AA Battery Holders - Connected in Parallel so still 1.5V - Exist? (discuss.tchncs.de)
submitted 1 year ago by ron33@discuss.tchncs.de to c/askelectronics@discuss.tchncs.de
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Hello,

Either my web search terms are quite inadequate, or perhaps no one ever wants a conveniently pre-wired holder for batteries connected in parallel.

Tried at standard (USA) sites like DigiK-- and Mous--. The in-series 2xAA=3V, etc., are even available at general merchandise retailers as shown in this pic from an A---zon listing.

Would appreciate comment.

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[–] rufus@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I hope you know the consequences of having batteries in parallel? I mean, if they have different voltages you'll get some current going between the batteries until they equalize. And the consequence of having one in reverse is probably also much worse than having them in series.

[–] LuckyBoy@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Can you explain what are the consequences in laymans terms?

[–] rufus@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I don't know. You're connecting the two batteries. The one that has more voltage will charge the battery with less voltage. And because it's just a strip of copper between the two, without significant resistance, it'll happen fast. The thing limiting current flow is probably the internal resistance of the battery itself. And for example alkaline batteries, you're not supposed to charge them.

I haven't tried what exactly happens. AA batteries aren't as powerful as for example Li-Ion batteries. So you'll probably be alright. Maybe in the worst case one battery gets hot and smells funny. But I don't think this will cause a proper fire. If it's only a bit, it'll get a bit warm and you waste some energy, that's probably it.

If you connect one in reverse I'm not so sure anymore. I once had a rechargeable battery that was connected in reverse get really really hot and bulge. Once you do things like this with Li-Ion rechargeable batteries, I think you're in the realm of starting a fire.