Max Discharge Rate for two AAA batteries?

What is the typical max discharge rate for 2X AAA batteries in series?
I set my driver using 2X AA Duracell (alkaline) because that's all I had at the time.
But now it's time to assemble the host and I need to select AAA batteries.
I'll be driving an AW210 @ 165mA so I'll probably need ~300mA from the battery source.

2X AAA Alkaline?
2X AAA Lithium? (Primary, not Li-ion)
2X AAA NiMH?

I can't remember what the driver and LD are actually pulling from my custom 100mW green build, but 2 (or 3) AAA alkaline batteries in series do NOT provide enough amps to run at 100mW. I suspect they only provide enough for 50mW. Since it is DPSS it's using an IR pump which probably pulls something more like 300-500mA which is more than your AW210 will use.

But I have a couple PHR's running at 135mA and 2 AAA alkaline batteries in series work great!

-Alex

P.S. Any progress on that dual power pointer? Is that the project for which you want the battery information? I'm still designing mine... looking into using a custom flashlight driver, but would love to see how yours turns out!

awlego said:

I can't remember what the driver and LD are actually pulling from my custom 100mW green build, but 2 (or 3) AAA alkaline batteries in series do NOT provide enough amps to run at 100mW. I suspect they only provide enough for 50mW. Since it is DPSS it's using an IR pump which probably pulls something more like 300-500mA which is more than your AW210 will use.

But I have a couple PHR's running at 135mA and 2 AAA alkaline batteries in series work great!

-Alex

P.S. Any progress on that dual power pointer? Is that the project for which you want the battery information? I'm still designing mine... looking into using a custom flashlight driver, but would love to see how yours turns out!

Click to expand...

Fasle, up to 150mW of stable output is achievable in pen host with 2x AAA, see for yourself:
Green Laser Pointer ----- 532nm Laser ----- Viper Series Lasers :: Handheld Lasers :: Dragon Lasers

Next, in my experience AAAs are good for , let's say, 700 mA of current draw in total.

More is possible depending on the brand of battery but at that currents it's simply not worth it, it's gonna eat through batteries like me through pizza. And that's damn fast.

For good optimal life, don't go over half amp draw on AAAs so you can use a lot of different brands including some cheaper ones.

If you are running 6x with boost converter, it's OK to use AAAs. But you might want to look into low dropout linear driver with 10440s, or single 10440 with jumper + boost covnerter.

Those 10440 are worth every cent you pay for them. I hate buying AAA cells , they are damn expensive over here.

awlego said:

P.S. Any progress on that dual power pointer? Is that the project for which you want the battery information? I'm still designing mine... looking into using a custom flashlight driver, but would love to see how yours turns out!

Click to expand...

Yes, this is for the dual power pointer. I "finished" the hose 2 weeks ago and went to assemble. Apparently AAA batteries are a little bigger than the 10mm spec because none would fit in the 10.2mm hole. I got around to reaming it out to 10.5mm yeaterday. I hate machining SS so much.

My plan the entire time has been to use 2X AAA Lithium primary (lithium primaries are awesome for current draw and only 1.5V each). Unfortunately, they are still too big for my 10.5mm hole.

The good news is Duracell AAA and other alkaline fit well. I'll have to see if sanyo NiMH fit... it would be nice to have rechargeable batteries.

Thanks for the wisdom Eudaimonium. Makes me feel good. Lookd like I'll just have to use Duracell for now. I REALLY don't want want to ream a 4" hole in a thin wall stainless tube (again).

I guess I must just have bad batteries in my 100mW green at the moment then... Thanks for clearing that up Eudaimonium

awlego said:

I guess I must just have bad batteries in my 100mW green at the moment then... Thanks for clearing that up Eudaimonium

Click to expand...

Yeah like I said, cheapo batteries may not be able to supply that amount of current ...

Stay at least 2 meters away from any Zinc Carbon batteries. Unless you need cheap dummy batteries for 3xAAA holders or you want to power your 2xAAA laser with 1x 10440.
Easy to pry open and clean out.