Do you use 1.2V or 1.5V batteries?

[Parazels]

I have been using 6 rechargeable AA batteries (6x1.2V=7.2V) in my mocs, and I always felt my models were lacking power.

Today I accidentally found out I can get more power with cheap ordinary AA batteries, because they are 1.5V (6x1.5V=9V        So +25%!).

What do you think of it? Which batteries do you normally use?

[Tomas TECHNIC]

I use rechargeable batteries. Mostly because it is cheaper in long-term view. I think my models are not lacking power but it is possible I just got used to a lower battery power.

[Parazels]

Lego, by the way, recommend using 1.5V batteries:

https://www.lego.com/en-us/service/help/products/electronics-robotics/power-functions/products/electronics-robotics/power-functions/power-functions-and-battery-use-408100000007939

[howitzer]

It's widely known that rechargeable batteries have lower voltage than disposable alkaline batteries so if you really need the highest possible power without resorting to more exotic diy-means, you need to use alkaline batteries. They too will lose voltage as you use them, so you only get the maximum oomph out of them for a relatively short while. Rechargeables of course are much cheaper to use than alkalines so I wouldn't use the latter unless absolutely necessary. For some applications, like running a GBC in a show, alkaline batteries become completely unfeasible as continuous running for a long time shoots the cost through the roof. Replacing the batteries might also become an issue, with the motors stopping while you do it, so some sort of 230V to 9V power adapter (like the old train regulator) is preferable.

[m00se]

If you measure alkalines give 1.5V, but under load this is actually lower so the difference with rechargeables isn't actually as big. If you really need maximum power for a short (and expensive) time I can understand you use alkalines but otherwise it's really a waste of money.

Keep in mind that there are huge differences in quality when it comes to rechargeables, so if you ever had a lesser experience with those that might be due to using an inferior type (I've once bought a set AA's that claimed to be 2000mAh but where actually around 900mAh). My own battery boxes are all filled with IKEA LADDA's which always come out very high in quality tests and are pretty cheap.

[Tarix819]

I use rechargeable 3.7v Li-Ions

3 x 3.7v Li-Ions = 11.1v

Plus 3 dummy batteries to complete the circuit.

Edited August 15, 2020 by Tarix819

[howitzer]

52 minutes ago, m00se said:

If you measure alkalines give 1.5V, but under load this is actually lower so the difference with rechargeables isn't actually as big. If you really need maximum power for a short (and expensive) time I can understand you use alkalines but otherwise it's really a waste of money.

Keep in mind that there are huge differences in quality when it comes to rechargeables, so if you ever had a lesser experience with those that might be due to using an inferior type (I've once bought a set AA's that claimed to be 2000mAh but where actually around 900mAh). My own battery boxes are all filled with IKEA LADDA's which always come out very high in quality tests and are pretty cheap.

Ladda is actually rebranded Eneloop, which is known as a high quality brand. But yeah, quality matters a lot, even with alkaline you might get better voltage and capacity from expensive brand batteries than cheap bulk ones.

[kbalage]

I suggest to have a look at the charts in Philo's excellent article. Alkalines have higher initial voltage but with similar conditions they quickly drop below the level of rechargeables, so there's no real benefit. On longer term alkalines will cost you more and you generate a lot more waste as well. 

[m00se]

1 hour ago, Tarix819 said:

I use rechargeable 3.7v Li-Ions

3 x 3.7v Li-Ions = 11.1v

Plus 3 dummy batteries to complete the circuit.

I didn't know you've got those in AA-format.

Isn't there a risk damaging your motors or are they safe at 11.1V?

[GroundskeeperWillie]

It seems there are also 3.2V AA 14500 LiFePO4 rechargables. 3 of those come really close to 6 alkaline in voltage. Has anybody tried those?

[Tarix819]

4 hours ago, m00se said:

I didn't know you've got those in AA-format.

Isn't there a risk damaging your motors or are they safe at 11.1V?

Don't think so since it's below 12v, which is the maximum safe voltage for Lego PF Motors. BuWizz Ludicrous runs at 12v for example.

[Mantarri]

I personally use AmazonBasics AA rechargable batteries (1.2v, rebranded Eneloops), and my solution to power is ordering a BuWizz, as I just don't want to be buying a bunch of disposable batteries.

[dr_spock]

I use 1.2V rechargeables or 9V AC/DC wall adapters for stationary MOCs.  In an emergency, I'll use alkalines.

 

[syclone]

Used 1'6 V Ni-Zn rechargeable batteries for the few cases when used an AA batterybox or for quick testing. From Aliexpress. About same price as Panasonic (eneloop) but very happy with them as they're higher voltage.

[OverlandSailor]

Just found this thread.
 

I was wondering if anyone else has thought about using one central large 1 or 2 amp hour LiFePo battery. You can make a 9v pack and there are voltage regulators available to provide power to an “electrical grid” of sorts to power your motors. 

I have considered even building a model of the Battersea Power Station in London to hide the battery pack. 
 

Thoughts?

[JaBaCaDaBra]

On 8/15/2020 at 12:16 PM, Tarix819 said:

I use rechargeable 3.7v Li-Ions

3 x 3.7v Li-Ions = 11.1v

Plus 3 dummy batteries to complete the circuit.

Where did you buy them?
If searched a lot around but still no succes.

[Newest_Tech320]

On 8/15/2020 at 9:06 AM, MisteryMan said:

I personally use AmazonBasics AA rechargable batteries (1.2v, rebranded Eneloops), and my solution to power is ordering a BuWizz, as I just don't want to be buying a bunch of disposable batteries.

 Same, I have 12 and have 1 Buwizz

[MikeTwo9398]

On 8/15/2020 at 4:19 PM, GroundskeeperWillie said:

It seems there are also 3.2V AA 14500 LiFePO4 rechargables. 3 of those come really close to 6 alkaline in voltage. Has anybody tried those?

Recently I bought a set of 4x 3.2V AA 14500 LiFePO4 rechargables including 4 x dummy at 123accu.nl. I also purchased a charger for this.

I built a Baja Buggy with 2 buggy motors (unfortunately not from Lego but from CADA), a Lego servo motor all controlled with a SBrick.
The buggy rides nice and fast but with the LiFePo4 batteries it goes so fast that I can hardly control the buggy (I just have to practice a bit).

Another advantage is the lower weight of the batteries, unfortunately the capacity is lower than the 1.2 [V] rechargeable batteries.

I want to make a topic of the Baja Buggy (based on Madocas Baja Trophy Truck) but first I need to make a video where you can see the batteries in action.

Here are some pictures of the batteries:

Voltage with GPO rechargeables

Voltage with the LiFePo4

Batteries in the Lego battery box

 

Edited October 10, 2020 by MikeTwo9398
Added link to Baja Buggy topic

[GroundskeeperWillie]

Thanks for sharing @MikeTwo9398.It's too bad about the lower capacity but it does seem to work fine nonetheless. I'll consider this for my Control+ and Mindstorms hubs as they are a little tame with 1.2V batteries in them.

[XenoRad]

Since I've only recently got into sets with Powered Up functionality and only running them once in a while I'm using 1.5 batteries for speed. But I do intend to switch over to 1.2 rechargeables for some MOCs and sets I'd use more often or which won't suffer that much from a lack of speed.

It's all about the application, really.