BATTERIES - 1.2 volts vs 1.5 volts?

Question

AAA and AA rechageables are only 1.2 volts. AAA and AA non rechargeables are 1.5 volts altho both are exactly the same physical size and both share the same size designators (AAA or AA) - WHY? My Pentax Optio S40 suddenly will not work with the 1.2 volt rechageables altho they have performed well for 1000's of pix.- it works fine with plain old non rechargeable Duracell 1.5 volt batteries - WHY? Do they manufacture single 1.5 volt AA and AAA rechargeable batteries other than the CR-V3 which has two 1.5 volt AA's? If so, where can they be purchased?

Answer 1

The difference in voltage is a result of different chemical processes that takes place within the battery itself. A single cell carbon based batteries will generate 1.5 volts, and NiCad and NiMH battery will generate 1.2 volts.

If your camera worked fine before and not now, it is probablly because your NiMH battery is no longer holding charge. When battery wears, it will have increased INTERNAL resistance which you cannot directly measure. When this happens, when the load is placed (ie. turned on) the voltage drops. If the voltage is lower than what the equipment requires, it will no longer work.

I do not know of any rechargeable battery that will produce equivalant of carbon based batteris.

Answer 2

As others have said, the difference in voltage probably would not make a difference. Without getting into too much technical details, over time, rechargeable batteries wear out. You can verify this with a voltmeter and see if it measures < 1.2 volts after recharge. If so, try a new set of rechargeable batteries.

One thing to keep in mind. Some rechargeable batteries (like NiCd) have a "memory" effect. This is common when the battery is consistently charged before it is "completely" drained (completely not necessarily equal to 100%, but mostly drained). When this happens, the life of the battery on one charge diminishes. If this should happen, try draining the battery and recharging. Do this a few times. This should bring the battery back to life.

Answer 3

a fully charged rechargeable battery should run the camera , however because is less voltage (1.5 volts is higher than 1.2 volts) the rechargeable ones will last less time . therefore is recommended to to use high Milli amps rechargeable batteries (2300 mAh ) the higher the milli amps the longer the battery will last . And in regard to the cr-v3 , can not help there.. go to duracell.com or any other battery maker.

Answer 4

1.2 Volt Battery

Answer 5

Its a Chemistry thing. Old fashioned Carbon Batteries and Alkaline battery chemistry creates 1.5 volts.

NiCad and NiMH chemistry creates 1.2 volts.

I did look at the S40 manual on-line at the Pentax website. It suggests that you use Alkaline, Lithium or NiMH. So check your batteries. If they are NiCad, then run out to STAPLES and get the Charger and 4 batteries of NiMH type. Yes, I would recommend Duracell. That's what I use in my Nikon CoolPix L1 that I bought at Costco last month.

Answer 6

I think that your rechargeable batteries are worn out. Even rechargeables don't last forever.

Try some new ones.

The difference in voltage may be important to some cameras. My Sony User Guide says to NOT use alkalines. Check your Pentax user guide and use only the types specified.

Answer 7

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