Which alkaline battery has the overall
best performance in RC Toy Device?
2010 Science Project
by
Student in Reach Up program
Introduction
Batteries … without them, your watch, camera, car,
RV, stereo, cell phone, or electronic game wouldn’t
work! Without them, most electronic projects
would useless… our alternative energy systems
would be unable to work … and our equipment we
take for granted would be worthless. But have you
ever tried to test your batteries to see how it would
last longer and work better? Or if it would work
one day, and lose it performance the next day?
If I can figure out which has the best performance, I
will know which battery to rely on later.
Rationale
Two years ago on Christmas I received a Remote Control
(RC) car as gift that had a pack of “no-name” brand
batteries which I never heard in the package. I was so
excited because this was the first RC car I had received
since I was three years old. I put my batteries in the car
and raced it around the house, but after about twenty
minutes, the batteries died. I quickly found some old
Duracell batteries, replace the dead ones and it worked
like a charm. I was curious as to why certain brands of
batteries work better and last longer than other brands.
Thus, this led me to determine which brand of alkaline
batteries performs the best in a RC toy device.
Questions
 Which of the three batteries last the
longest in the RC toy device?
 Which of the batteries last the
shortest in the RC toy device?
 Which of the batteries has the best
performance in the RC toy device?
 Which of the batteries has least
performance in the RC toy device?
Hypothesis
I think that Energizer batteries will last
the longest and have the best performance
in the RC toy device, because of the
advertisements say that they are the best
of all batteries.
Materials
 Energizer batteries , Duracell
batteries, and Nuon batteries
 Volt meter
 Amperage meter
 Notepad
 Pencil
 Timer
 RC(remote control ) mini heli havoc
Procedures
 I tested amperage first on each battery to make
sure that none of the batteries were run down.
Then, I tested the batteries.
 Three brands of 4 pack alkaline batteries were
timed in 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minute
intervals in the RC toy device.
 Each battery was tested after the timed interval
with the volt meter.
 The time interval was then documented in my
science project log book.
Safety Issues
 Safety issues with the batteries were monitored by
me and my parents.
 Batteries were kept away from flammable products
and flames.
 Batteries were kept dry and not left in moist
weather to prevent magnesium and potassium
hydroxide leakage.
 Gloves were worn to keep the hands insulated from
mild electrocution.
Discussion
 Alkaline batteries:
Alkaline batteries are what we usually use in our daily life.
The alkaline battery gets its name because it has an alkaline
electrolyte of potassium hydroxide.
 General Information:
The alkaline-manganese dioxide battery was introduced in
the early 1960’s and remains in a strong position in today’s
battery market. Theoretically, alkaline-manganese dioxide
cells have a higher capacity than Leclanche, or zinc-carbon
cells, of similar sizes. This is due to higher purity and activity
of the manganese dioxide, the dense cathode with little
electrolyte, and the efficient spacing of components. The
voltage for this battery begins above 1.5 volts, which
decreases gradually during discharge. In addition, the
battery can function at temperatures up to 55 degrees Celsius.
Alkaline battery
Data Analysis
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Time 6
Time 5
Time 4
Time 3
Time 2
Time 1
Data Analysis Results
 The Duracell 4-pack of alkaline batteries lasted
the shortest and had the least performance
during the timed intervals in the RC toy device.
 The Energizer 4-pack of alkaline batteries
remained at a normal or moderate performance
during the timed intervals in the RC toy device.
 The Nuon 4-pack of alkaline batteries lasted the
longest and performed the best in the RC toy
device during the timed intervals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I learned that Nuon
batteries are have one of the best
performances in remote controlled toy
devices. My research data, however may
be slightly inaccurate due to the type of
timer I utilized, therefore, I would
encourage others to try this project.
Based upon the results of my project, I
learned that my hypothesis was incorrect.
Bibliography
1. Alkaline Batteries: Retrieved December 28, 2009, from
Battery University.com
2. Learning Center: How batteries work: Retrieved
December 28, 2009, from Energizer.com
3. Perez,R.A. (1985) The complete battery book.
Blue Ridge Summit, PA:TAB Books Incorporated.