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September 20, 2007
Great hack — 32 AA batteries for $5: Why pay more?
[via Dean Kaltsas and godean.com]
September 20, 2007 at 10:01 AM | Permalink
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By now, you've no doubt seen the other videos that show that this was a hoax.
Posted by: Jonathan | Sep 22, 2007 6:57:53 PM
I have busted open lantern batteries before, but they had 4 large cells
Those are "F" sized cells, which are (I think) what all alkaline lantern batteries with this form factor contain.
I can believe that at least some carbon-zinc ("Super Heavy Duty") lantern batteries contain AA-sized cells, but those cells are of course carbon-zinc AAs, which you can buy in bulk even cheaper than this.
This also applies to the older "6-AAAA-cells-from-a-9V-battery" trick; only alkaline 9Vs contain AAAAs (which you can, in a pinch, just about substitute for AAAs in many applications). Carbon-zinc 9Vs contain a stack of little rectangular carbon-zinc cells that aren't useful for much.
If you need a quantity of some particular size of cell that you can't economically buy locally, then there's some justification for cutting open a larger battery. It's normal for stores to greatly overcharge for little button cells, for instance; if you can get a 12V car-alarm-transmitter battery that contains the button cell size you need, and aren't likely to end up cutting yourself open instead of the battery, then it's a good deal.
If you don't need the cells right this second, though, just buy a cheap bulk pack on eBay. There are plenty of eBay dealers who sell every size of battery under the sun for excellent prices, even after you pay for postage from Hong Kong :-).
Posted by: Daniel Rutter | Sep 22, 2007 9:07:58 AM
I have busted open lantern batteries before, but they had 4 large cells, about as round as a D but taller (the height of the battery) - I think this video may be a hoax as there is nothing visible connecting the cells together. In a pack they would use spot welded cells, not ones with nipples on them, like in a cordless drill pack etc.
Posted by: Richard | Sep 20, 2007 9:53:54 PM
Firstly, not all lantern batteries use that construction inside.
Secondly - rechargeables. Dunno about the States, but we often get 4xAA 2.5Ah NiMH cells for £2 - that's under $5 and they're great. No need to worry about the kids leaving toys switched on etc.
Posted by: Skipweasel | Sep 20, 2007 4:02:06 PM
Excellent. As this video spreads, I wonder what it will do to the price of lantern batteries. Oops, suddenly they cost $40.
Posted by: Al Christensen | Sep 20, 2007 10:17:25 AM
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