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Dry cell technology old and new

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ajb

Jan 1, 1970
0
Half a century ago and more when I was young(er) it always used to be
taught that ordinary 'dry' cells of the traditional Leclanché type would
have a longer useful life if they were worked briefly and occasionally,
as when operating door-bells for example, than if left entirely unused.
My own experience indicates that this was certainly so - albeit to a
modest extent - with ordinary cheap commercial and home-made wet
Leclanché cells working telegraphs, intercom telephones and the like..

Is this true of modern cells, either of the ordinary traditional
technology or the more modern 'alkaline' types such as Duracell? That
is, would it still be beneficial occasionally to turn on for a moment
such items as emergency torches and seldom-used flashlights to help
preserve the battery?

I believe that Lithium technology is very different and that these cells
are more or less self-protecting by virtue of the very thin protective
barrier layer which forms, but I wondered about 'ordinary' and economy
types.

And while we're at it, has anyone any practical experience of the
archaic gravity cells? I made up a small gravity battery which has
operated for amazingly long periods.

TIA

TTFN
 
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