# Batteries in Series/Parallel & Size

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-in-series-parallel-size/1903>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 3, 1999, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-in-series-parallel-size/1903 "1999-07-03T00:09:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 1999, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-in-series-parallel-size/1903/21 "1999-07-07T19:32:00Z")

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Opus, Two words… Planned Obscelesence (sp?)

I am big company, making games, most games played by little rugrats who many will put batteries in wrong and fry game, mommy buys me new game to keep me quiet.

## Cynical, I know. But after observing Nintendo, I think its the right attitude.

\>\>while contemplating the navel of the universe, I wondered, is it an innie or outie?\<\<

—The dragon observes

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 1999, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-in-series-parallel-size/1903/22 "1999-07-07T19:35:00Z")

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Ok, Planned Obscelesence isn’t the right word for it, but the idea is the same.

* * *

\>\>while contemplating the navel of the universe, I wondered, is it an innie or outie?\<\<

—The dragon observes

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 1999, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-in-series-parallel-size/1903/23 "1999-07-07T23:35:00Z")

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For those of you who come in through the back door, Cecil has reposted his classic cloumn on batteries at the front door:

[http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4\_005b.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_005b.html)

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 1999, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-in-series-parallel-size/1903/24 "1999-07-09T16:49:00Z")

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Interestingly, NiCd batteries often have actual numerical ratings for current capacity. If you check the packs at Radio Shack (this is all from memory now…), you’ll see the AA’s provide about 0.5 amp-hours, C’s about 1.1 AH, and D’s also about 1.1 AH. They also sell their “high capacity” NiCd’s which are virtually a ripoff for the 1.2 AH C but much better for the 3 AH or so D.

I find it annoying that disposable battery manufacturers don’t go to the same standard. I guess the trouble is multi-faceted: at what point do you consider a battery “dead”, and why would you really want to compete that way when flowery “high capacity”-speak and such goes so far? Oh well…

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 1999, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/batteries-in-series-parallel-size/1903/25 "1999-07-11T07:58:00Z")

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Sunbear said:

> [@](#):
>
> Sure it helps. Plus the boy now knows that a new COLOR game boy cost $70 of his saved up money.

## Boy, and I thought there was nothing educational about GameBoy. 😉

Ranger Jeff  
The Idol of American Youth

Server’s poor response  
Not quick enough for browser.  
Timed out, plum blossom.

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