12V AA battery pack - types, application and how to build
Suppose you need a versatile and portable AA battery with a high voltage of up to 12V as your power source.
Building 12V AA battery packs can be a smart solution, but What chemistry forms are available, and how do they impact battery pack’s performance? What are the components and tools are needed to assemble AA battery pack?
In this article, we will answer these questions and briefly introduce 12V AA battery pack, covering their types, components, applications, and building process. After reading this article, you will have the necessary information to choose or make 12V AA battery pack. So let’s get started!
What is 12V AA battery pack?
A 12V AA battery pack is a energy storage device designed to hold AA batteries linked in series to provide a 12-volt output. The number of AA batteries required varies depending on the type of AA battery.
This design makes it an ideal solution to produce required voltage when you need to power electric devices such as LED lights, radios, cameras, fans, and so on.
A 12V AA battery pack has four main components: batteries, battery holder, switch, and connector. Some AA battery packs also have a built-in protection plate.
Types of 12V AA battery pack
Lithium-ion battery pack
Lithium-ion 12V AA battery packs, the popular type of rechargeable battery, are constructed from lithium-ion rechargeable aa batteries.
This pack type can store more power while taking up less space and weight because of its high energy density. At the same time, the self-discharge rate of lithium batteries is relatively low, about 3.5% per month.
Cameras, drones, and power tools are examples of high-draining electronic devices that can use lithium-ion 12V AA battery packs.
Nickel-metal hydride battery pack
NiMH 12V AA battery packs, a different kind of rechargeable battery, are constructed from nickel-metal hydride cells.
These batteries are renowned for being affordable while having a lower energy density than lithium-ion cells. It’s vital to remember that they will lose their charge quicker while not in use due to their faster self-discharge rate.
Although cost-effective, NiMH batteries often suffer from low cycle life. This implies that you may replace the battery frequently. Radios, flashlights, and toys are examples of medium-drain electronics that can use nickel-metal hydride 12V AA battery packs.
Alkaline battery pack
An alkaline 12V AA battery pack is the popular non-rechargeable battery made of alkaline cells. Unlike the battery types mentioned above, these batteries have the lowest energy density, making them store lesser power in larger sizes and weights.
Alkaline 12V AA battery packs are readily accessible and relatively inexpensive, but they also leak easily and might harm device if kept inside for a long time. Alkaline 12V AA battery packs are suitable for low-drain devices like remote controls, clocks, or smoke detectors.
How many AA batteries do I need for a 12v AA battery pack?
Understanding how many AA batteries are required to make a 12v AA battery pack is essential for anyone who works with electric or battery-powered devices.
The number of batteries needed varies depending on the type of battery used.The calculation to determine the number of batteries required is quite simple.
You can calculate the number of AA batteries needed for a 12v battery pack by dividing 12 by the voltage of each battery cell.
For example:
Alkaline: 12/1.5= 8 batteries
NiMH: 12/1.2=10 batteries
Ternary lithium battery: 12/3.6= 4 batteries
What are the advantages and disadvantages of 12V AA battery pack?
Pros:
● Versatility: You can use 12V AA battery packs for many different devices and applications as long as they match the voltage and polarity of your pack.
● Portability: Another benefit of the 12V AA battery packs is its portability; its tiny size and light weight make it easy to carry anywhere. When there are power outages or crises, you may also utilize it as a backup power source.
● Affordability: AA batteries are widely available, simple to use, and inexpensive to purchase from various retailers and online merchants, especially if you purchase them in volume.
Cons:
● Performance: 12V AA battery packs might not work as well as it should, especially if you use them for high-drain electronic devices. Batteries in this pack may face challenges such as being unable to withstand high temperatures, not producing enough power, or may not last long.
● Maintenance: If you use non-rechargeable batteries, you may need to maintain 12V AA battery packs frequently. You may need to change their batteries frequently, monitor their charge level and handle their disposal carefully.
Applications of 12V AA battery pack
● LED lights: You can use a 12V AA battery pack to light up LED strips, bulbs, or lanterns. LED lights are energy-efficient, bright, and long-lasting that can be used for camping, hiking, biking, or decorating home or RV. You can also use them as emergency lights in case of power outages or disasters while powering them with a 12V AA battery pack.
● Radios: Radios may be used for information, entertainment, and communication when powered by 12V AA battery packs. They can also be used for travel, fishing, hunting, and gardening.
● Cameras: A 12V AA battery pack is often the power source to capture precious moments with cameras, either in the form of photography or videography.
● Fans: You can use 12V AA battery packs to power and cool down with fans when you need ventilation, circulation, and comfort.
● Power wheels: The 12V AA battery packs function as power wheels battery, allowing the ride-on toy to run for hours of fun and excitement. With a reliable and long-lasting battery pack, child can enjoy endless adventure and exploration, whether it’s in the backyard or at the park.
You can use 12V AA battery packs for many other devices and applications, such as clocks, remote controls, flashlights, toys, games, instruments, tools, and more. The possibilities are endless as long as it fits the voltage and power required!
What is the difference between a 12v AA battery pack and a common 12v battery pack?
A 12V AA battery pack is a battery pack that contains AA cells connected in series to produce a total voltage of 12V.
On the other hand, a common 12V battery pack usually consist of square or cylindrical cells and it’s not limited to AA batteries.
The primary distinction between them is the batteries’ size, design, weight, and capacity to provide the required voltage. Despite being lighter and smaller than a typical 12V battery pack, 12V AA battery packs still offer less power.
How long does a 12v AA battery pack last?
Every user often wonders how long a 12V AA battery pack last to know if it is worth buying. But a simple logic here all users must have at the back of their minds is that there’s no fixed time length a battery pack can stay strong.
The duration of battery packs depends on several factors:
● The battery chemistry used.
● The type of device the pack is powering.
● The environment in which it is being used, and many more.
However, a quick way you can estimate the battery life by employing this simple formula:
Battery life (hours) = Battery capacity (mAh) / Device consumption (mA)
Suppose you use a 2,000 mAh NiMH 12V AA battery pack to operate a LED light that consumes 100 mA. With this method, you can determine the battery’s lifespan with fair accuracy:
Battery life (hours) = 2,000 mAh / 100 mA = 20 hours
You should note that this computation is approximate and does not consider all of the previously listed elements. Still, it will give you an idea .
Building a 12v AA battery pack
Here are the steps to follow if you want to build 12V AA battery packs successfully:
Step 1: Get the Materials
You will need the following materials to make 12V battery packs:
● AA batteries that can be of any chemistry
● A battery holder: You need one that can conveniently fit the eight batteries
● A DC connector: Use a DC connector that corresponds to electronic device’s polarity and voltage requirements. This will provide a reliable and secure connection between the two parts.
● Wires: As long as the wire is strong enough to support the current of pack, you can use any kind, including a solid core and stranded core.
Step 2: Connect the Batteries
After getting all the equipment, the next thing to do is to connect the AA batteries in series using the battery holder. You will do this by connecting one battery’s positive terminal to another’s negative terminal until all batteries are connected in a row. You will connect the positive and negative terminals using the first and last batteries as your output terminals.
Step 3: Connect the DC Jack
You’ll need cables to connect the DC jack to battery pack. The DC jack has two wires: one red wire and one black wire. The positive input wire is red, and the negative input wire is black. Connect the red and black wire of the DC jack to the positive and negative terminals of your battery pack, respectively.
Step 4: Test Battery Pack
If you followed these steps properly, you have successfully made your DIY 12V AA battery packs! You can also use a multimeter to check the voltage and current of battery pack and finally plug it into device to test it.
Conclusion
As you can see, battery pack is a flexible and portable power source that can be used for various purposes.
Using various battery and component kinds, you can create your own 12V AA battery packs with the steps discussed above in the article.If you need lithium AA batteries, please contact us.
FAQs
If you use the right batteries, wiring, connections, and other tools, building a 12V AA battery pack at home is safe. You're safe as long as you don't solder on them or expose them to dangers.
It might not be the ideal option due to its reduced energy and power output. A 9V battery may also not provide the voltage required to power electronic device. Therefore, you may want to stick with a 12V AA battery pack unless the device is made to function with a 9V battery.
The best way to know this is to check the pack voltage and its performance when powering devices. You may check the voltage with a multimeter. Once your electronic device is not functioning smoothly as it once did, it's time to replace the battery.
