Can old and new batteries be mixed in a single device?
No. Never mix old and new batteries in a single device - battery leakage may occur. Replace all batteries in a device at the same time.
Why shouldn't you mix old batteries with new ones?
The performance of a battery-operated product is limited by the weakest of all the batteries in the device. One old or weak battery can cause poor product performance even if all the others are new or fully charged.
Can different battery types be mixed in a single device?
No. Never mix battery types - such as include alkaline, heavy duty and rechargeable - in a single device. Battery leakage may occur.
Can batteries be stored in devices for long periods of time?
No. Batteries should be removed from any device that will be stored for long periods of time.
When should I remove batteries from my device?
Batteries should be removed from devices/equipment when:
- The device is not expected to be in use for several months
- The batteries are worn out (to prevent possible damage from battery leakage)
- The device is being powered by household (AC) current
How does the cold affect batteries?
Batteries can't deliver much power when they are cold. You may find that the flashlight kept in your car in the middle of winter casts a faint beam. Let the batteries warm up to room temperature, and try them again before you decide to replace the batteries.
How does a battery work?
Batteries may seem simple, but the delivery of packaged power is a complicated electrochemical process. Electric current in the form of electrons begins to flow in the external circuit when the device - a light bulb for example - is turned on. At that time, the anode material, zinc, gives up two electrons per atom in a process called oxidation, leaving unstable zinc ions behind.
After the electrons do their work powering the light bulb, they reenter the cell at the cathode, where they combine with the active material, manganese dioxide, in a process called reduction. The combined processes of oxidation and reduction couldn't occur in a power cell without an internal way to carry electrons back to the anode, balancing the external flow of current.
This process is accomplished by the movement of negatively charged hydroxide ions present in the water solution called the electrolyte. Every electron entering the cathode reacts with the manganese dioxide to form MnOO-. Then, MnOO- reacts with water from the electrolyte. In that reaction, the water splits, releasing hydroxide ions into the electrolyte and hydrogen ions that combine with MnOO- to form MnOOH. The internal circuit is completed when the hydroxide ions produced in this reaction at the cathode flow to the anode in the form of ionic current.
There, they combine with unstable zinc ions, which were formed at the anode when the electrons were originally given up to the external circuit. This produces zinc oxide and water. This completes the circuit (which is necessary to have a constant flow of electricity) and powers your torch.
What is inside a battery?
Strictly, the battery is the result of an electrochemical process that converts stored chemical energy into electrical energy. The process takes place between the anode, the cathode and the electrolyte, the three major parts of a battery. The anode is often a metal, the cathode a metallic oxide, and the electrolyte a solution that facilitates the ion flow. Depending of the battery type, the solution could be an alkaline, zinc-air, zinc-carbon or etc. solution for primary cells, NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydrid) or NiCD (Nickel Cadmium) for rechargeable cells.
Who invented the battery?
The Italian physicist Alessandro Volta developed the first electrochemical cell. The term of "battery" according to electronic devices fundamentally appeared with Benjamin Franklin in order to describe the collection of multiple electrochemical cells. In 1792, while working at Bologna University, Luigi Galvani discovered that the muscle of a frog would contract when touched by a metallic object. This phenomenon became known as animal electricity. Prompted by these experiments, Volta initiated a series of experiments using zinc, lead, tin and iron as positive plates (cathode) and copper, silver, gold and graphite as negative plates (anode) and invented the first battery also known as the voltaic pile in 1800.
How do I find the right VARTA alkaline battery?
According to the wide offer, it's always complicated to find the right battery. With the VARTA ranges it is easy to find the right battery for your device.
There are two types of VARTA batteries: primary and rechargeable (NiMH) batteries.
The VARTA Alkaline batteries belong to the primary batteries which couldn't be recharged. Strictly, primary batteries are useful where long periods of storage are required. VARTA alkaline range offers different products with specific functions in order to answer at best all your expectations.
- VARTA LONGLIFE Max Power batteries deliver precise and flexible energy for digital devices such as digital cameras or blood pressure monitors.
- VARTA LONGLIFE Power batteries offer the powerful energy needed for devices with high energy consumption such as battery operated toys or flashlights.
- VARTA LONGLIFE batteries perform especially well in devices with constant and low energy needs, such as remote controls or wall clocks.
- VARTA ULTRA Lithium batteries are the perfect solution for energy-intensive devices like digital cameras, walkie talkies or smoke detectors and master extremely low temperatures.
Moreover, we are providing clear communication of recommended use by way of pictograms to simplify your choice.
How are batteries being recycled?
If batteries can no longer be used, they should be recycled. Most batteries can be recycled and various materials can be used again. For example alkaline batteries are recycled in the metal industry to recover steel, zinc, ferromanganese, etc. NiCd/NiMH batteries are recycled to recover cadmium and nickel. Li-ion batteries are recycled for cobalt and button cells for mercury. In 2006 the EU adopted the battery regulation, which aims, among other things, to increase the recycling rate of batteries. Approximately 70% of the collected batteries are now recycled on the existing recycling market in Europe. This share will increase in the coming years.
How should I dispose of my alkaline batteries?
Batteries can be disposed in electronics stores, in supermarkets or in shopping centers. Never dispose of batteries in fire, as this could cause an explosion.
Where should batteries be stored?
Batteries have to be stored in a cool, dry location. Avoid temperature extremes that reduce considerably their performance. Keep batteries in original package until you are ready to use them.
Why do we change the names?
We have learned from our qualitative research, that the former names (Longlife, High Energy and Max Tech) were not guiding enough.
The strongest name Longlife had the worst performance compared to the other two strategic battery lines.
There are always two dimensions of that what consumer want to have: Long Lastingness and Power.
The former names High Energy and Max Tech did not show the benefit of durability.
The three new names (LONGLIFE, LONGLIFE Power and LONGLIFE Max Power) communicate both dimensions: Durability and Power in three types.
The research clearly confirmed the better guiding names.
What has changed in regards to performance and why?
Current market trends show the decreasing importance of high drain applications (e.g. digital camera or photo flash) and a growth in low drain devices, like portable audio, remote controls or LED flashlights. To address this trend we changed the internal design of our batteries and combined this with upgrades in raw materials and formulations. Our premium products guarantee highest performance and are also improved in low drain devices.