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4AA Battery Pack alternative?

useless_goldfish

Aug 19, 2022
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Hi all,
I just took over a makerspace in an elementary school and found a box of early childhood robots that work great but are a bit old and use four standard AA batteries. Regular use means they can drink through 40 batteries in a day. But the insides of the robot of roomy and it uses a simple 2-pin connector from the battery pack to the circuit board.
I'm wondering if it is [electrically] feasible to replace the battery pack with a single rechargeable lithium battery. What would be, if any, the equivalent for the output of 4 AA batteries?
TIA
 

Bluejets

Oct 5, 2014
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One would need to know what the requirements of each "robot " circuit is.
However it would or could be a little dangerous using LiPos around kids given the recharging requirements and other safety concerns.
Perhaps AA size NiMh would suit better as they can come with a suitable charger and would be a near drop in replacement.
 

Harald Kapp

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Nov 17, 2011
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A USB powerbank at 5 V output should also work. You'd have to "build" an adapter to connect the existing 2-pin connector to a USB connector. The powerbank(s) can easily be charged using any standard USB charger.
 

Bluejets

Oct 5, 2014
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If the 5V in the above is not quite enough, add a small boost converter to the powerbank output and adjust to required level.
Boost converter size naturally selected to suit whatever load you have.
Most smaller ones are 2A standard.

These are a bit over 1A depending on output set.......around AUD$5.00 from China
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/144349470421

BoostConv.jpg
 
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