why can't we use alkaline batteries in small devices???????

Question

everyone said that is we cannot use alkaline batteries in small devices. the main reason is that it is not economical to use it compare with normal carbon zinc batteries.

small devices such as clocks and remote controls, draw little current, normal carbon zinc batteries will do as good as an alkaline battery. that means that if you install a alkaline battery (much more expensive than a normal carbon zinc battery) into a clock, they will have the same life as a carbon zinc battery.

Answer 1

There is no reason alkaline batteries can't be used in small devices. In fact they are a better choice than zinc-oxide. It is true they cost a little more, but they out-perform zinc-oxide in most applications. In particular, their longer service life and shelf life allows them to last substantially longer for low current applications.

Alkaline has almost made zinc-oxide obsolete. If you have an application where you can have to change batteries frequently, then maybe the lower cost of zinc-oxide makes sense. These days, those types of devices probably use rechargeable technologies.

Answer 2

Boy are you misinformed!!! It is the exact opposite. The typical 9 volt carbon zink cell has a capacity of about 80 milliamp hours usage. Compare that to the typical alkaline at 150 to 180 m/hr or even better, to the typical nicad at 1500 m/hr or metal hydroxide at as much as 2500 m/hr. In the case of so called 1-1/2 volt cells the ratings are about the same. The only difference is adjusting for the difference in cell voltage. In the typical 12 volt walki-talki for example, it takes 10 nicad cells where as it only takes 8 carbon zink ones. BUT- the usage time is dramatically improved by the higher capacity and the fact that they are re-chargeable, which is a no-no with carbon zink.