Yes, you can basically categorize batteries by amp-hours. However, different battery chemistry produces a different voltage per cell. While regular disposable batteries produce roughly 1.5V per cell, NiCd and NiMH rechargables run about 1.2V, so your lights will be a little dimmer even at full charge.
You could, of course, stack more cells, so if you have 4 1.5 alkaline batteries (producing 6V), you could replace them with 5 1.2V NiMH batteries (also producing 6V). Or you could wire 6V lights in series and drive them from a 12V source.
What voltage do your lights use? I wonder if it'd be easier to just find some 12V lamps and pick up a couple of cheap car or motorcycle batteries and a charger... they'd probably last weeks between charges.
I don't know what voltage these lamps run at. It's 3 AAAs, so I'd assume 4.5 V.
Not only do complicated solutions (like wiring lights in series or wiring 12 V lamps up to a car battery) seem a bit technically complicated to my no-electronics-skills-having self, but any increase in wiring in the cage increases the possibility of picking up stray noise and transmitting it into the prep. I'm also pretty happy with my lights, because I need rather small lights that can directly illuminate a fairly cramped area (i.e., a mouse skull implanted in a surgical apparatus with a whole lot of crap sticking out of it) so with higher voltage lamps I seem to be sacrificing my size requirements.
Comments 6
You could, of course, stack more cells, so if you have 4 1.5 alkaline batteries (producing 6V), you could replace them with 5 1.2V NiMH batteries (also producing 6V). Or you could wire 6V lights in series and drive them from a 12V source.
What voltage do your lights use? I wonder if it'd be easier to just find some 12V lamps and pick up a couple of cheap car or motorcycle batteries and a charger... they'd probably last weeks between charges.
Reply
Not only do complicated solutions (like wiring lights in series or wiring 12 V lamps up to a car battery) seem a bit technically complicated to my no-electronics-skills-having self, but any increase in wiring in the cage increases the possibility of picking up stray noise and transmitting it into the prep. I'm also pretty happy with my lights, because I need rather small lights that can directly illuminate a fairly cramped area (i.e., a mouse skull implanted in a surgical apparatus with a whole lot of crap sticking out of it) so with higher voltage lamps I seem to be sacrificing my size requirements.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment