Organizing and Choosing Batteries for RV Gadgets

[Mark_K5LXP]

What type of regulator does it use?

Switching. I discovered it when I tried using some lithium 9V batteries for my QRP setup. My battery tester showed a funky waveform during discharge and an o-scope proved it. For most things you'd power with a battery having pure DC isn't critical but having kHz rate ripple with B+ to a PA where it can mix and make spurs is asking for it. So, great idea but they're a no-go for running transceivers.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[DonTom]

Switching. I discovered it when I tried using some lithium 9V batteries for my QRP setup. My battery tester showed a funky waveform during discharge and an o-scope proved it. For most things you'd power with a battery having pure DC isn't critical but having kHz rate ripple with B+ to a PA where it can mix and make spurs is asking for it. So, great idea but they're a no-go for running transceivers.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

Interesting. I had no idea those small little batteries have electronics built into them.

• "Standard AA/AAA Li-ion batteries: Certain models, such as those from EBL, mount a built-in regulator circuit that outputs a constant 1.5V from start to finish. This allows them to mimic the voltage profile of disposable alkaline batteries, making them suitable for voltage-sensitive devices."

A battery voltage regulator, especially in rechargeable lithium batteries with regulated output (like 1.5V Li-ion AA), typically consists of a DC-DC converter circuit integrated into the battery.

The core components of this regulation circuit usually include:

1. Integrated Circuit (IC) Regulator: This is the main control chip. It can be a buck-boost converter (most common for 1.5V Li-ion), which can both step down (buck) and step up (boost) the input voltage from the lithium cell (which varies from ~4.2V when full to ~3.0V when depleted) to provide a stable 1.5V output.
2. Inductor: A key passive component in switching regulators (buck, boost, buck-boost) that stores and releases energy to transform the voltage.
3. Capacitors: Used for input and output filtering to smooth the voltage and reduce electrical noise.
4. Resistors: Used for setting the output voltage level (via a feedback divider network), current limiting, and biasing.
5. Semiconductors: May include internal MOSFET switches within the IC or sometimes external diodes (though synchronous rectification using MOSFETs is more efficient).