AA Batteries

Believe it or not, the AA battery was standardized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in 1947. Measuring 51 mm (2.0 inches) in length and 13.5 - 14.5 mm (0.53 - 0.57 inches) in diameter it seems to be in virtually every portable electrical device since they started to make them - well, until the AAA (triple A) size came into being. Although they all look remarkably similar (the size dictates it), they can be purchased in an array of different types;

Firstly, the non-rechargeable batteries.

1. The basic zinc-carbon type has around 400-900 milliamp hours capacity and whilst this won't make much sense to most of us, it is useful when compared to the next type.

2. Zinc-chloride 'heavy duty' batteries, last a bit longer with 1000 - 1500 milliamp hours.

3. The newest type, the Alkaline batteries (Duracell) have 1700-3000 milliamp hours but do cost more.

4. The highest cost type, however, are the lithium batteries which are used for devices that drain a large amount of power such as digital cameras.

Then we come to the rechargeable AA batteries.

The problem to be aware of with these is that they supply a lower voltage (1.2volts instead of 1.5 volts) compared to their non-rechargeable cousins which can produce problems when trying to power some sorts of devices. If a device is designed to use 4 alkaline batteries in series (therefore producing 6 volts) , the rechargeable ones may not operate satisfactorily - although devices of this type usually include warnings. However, cyclists shouldn't usually worry as lighting systems don't require such high voltages.

1. Nickel-cadnium AA batteries (NiCd or NiCad) have a capcity of 500-1000 milliamp hours

2. Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) double AA's are also available and have various capacities ranging from 1300 to 2900 milliamp hours.

3. Finally, we are now able to get rechargeable lithium batteries but these are rated at 3.6 volts so are not compatible with most devices requiring double AA’s.

Confused? Yes, so are we. For all the types of AA battery listed above we've at Pedal-Pedal decided to stock just one sort - and they are ones which can be recharged, without a charger, directly from a USB port on your computer.

USB rechargeable batteries