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Just the right battery — Parallax Forums

Just the right battery

bxgirtenbxgirten Posts: 79
edited 2007-05-12 16:36 in Robotics
As a programmer that is trying to transition into Robotics, my mind gets fuzzy when it comes to battery power for my circuit. If a motor needs 12V of power what's the difference between a 12V/700mAh battery and a 12V/1300mAh battery? Would the 1300mAh battery potentially fry my components?

Please excuse my ignorance.

Comments

  • allanlane5allanlane5 Posts: 3,815
    edited 2007-05-11 18:01
    Good question. It turns out that it's the 'voltage' that is the 'independent' quantity in the V = IR voltage law, especially where batteries are concerned. Meaning, the circuit will only pull as much current as it needs to operate at a particular voltage.

    Practical outcome being -- the only difference between a 12V/1300mAh battery and the other is that the 1300 mAh battery will run almost twice as long as the other one. It's got twice the 'juice', but at the same 'pressure', so it takes twice as long for your circuit to use up the 'juice' -- a good thing.

    So no, it won't 'fry' your components. Too much voltage MIGHT cause too much current to run, but 12 volts is not "too much voltage" for the BS2.
  • bxgirtenbxgirten Posts: 79
    edited 2007-05-11 18:04
    Thank you, Allan. That was painless. wink.gif
  • LawsonLawson Posts: 870
    edited 2007-05-12 16:36
    Also, a quick unit definition to help clear things up. mAh = mili-Amp Hours. It's a rating for how much current a battery can source for one hour.

    When choosing batteries it's also a good idea to consider how each type of battery likes being treated, and match that to the application at hand.

    Good Luck,
    Marty
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