FAQ
TL;DR: An AA LR6 alkaline stores about 2 000–2 800 mAh and can pulse 4 A, yet “capacity halves when current doubles” [Elektroda, stabilizator, #18844412; Energizer, 2020]. Choose lithium AA for 3 000 mAh and lower 0.1 Ω resistance.
Why it matters: Picking the right cell prevents brown-outs, leaks, and needless replacements.
Quick-Facts
• Alkaline AA (LR6): 2.0–2.8 Ah at 50 mA drain [Energizer LR6 Datasheet].
• Lithium AA (L91): 3.0 Ah at 250 mA drain and <0.12 Ω impedance [Energizer L91 Datasheet].
• Fresh AA alkaline internal resistance: 0.2–0.3 Ω [Elektroda, stabilizator, post #18844412]
• Max useful pulse current AA alkaline: 4 A to 1.0 V cut-off [Elektroda, stabilizator, post #18844412]
• Shelf life: Lithium 20 years, Alkaline 10 years [Energizer, 2020].
Quick Facts
See lead_box
What is the typical capacity of an AA 1.5 V alkaline (LR6) battery?
Most datasheets list 2 000–2 800 mAh when discharged to 0.8 V at 50 mA [
Energizer LR6 Datasheet]. Forum users quote “about 2 Ah” for budget brands and 2.8 Ah for premium cells
[Elektroda, OldSkull, post #18845387]
How does capacity change with discharge current?
Capacity falls quickly as current rises. Energizer shows a 30 % drop when load rises from 50 mA to 250 mA [Energizer, 2020]. One expert writes, “capacity halves when current doubles”
[Elektroda, stabilizator, post #18844412]
What internal resistance should I expect from AA cells?
How much current can a fresh AA alkaline safely deliver?
A good LR6 can supply 2–4 A for short bursts until its voltage drops to 1.0 V
[Elektroda, stabilizator, post #18844412] Continuous loads should stay below 0.25 A to avoid rapid capacity loss [
Energizer LR6 Datasheet].
How do R6 zinc-carbon and FR6 lithium compare to LR6 alkaline?
Zinc-carbon hold ≈1 Ah and have high 0.5 Ω resistance, so they suit low-drain clocks. Alkaline reach 2 Ah and 0.25 Ω. Lithium FR6 top 3 Ah with 0.1 Ω and work in extreme cold [Elektroda, stabilizator, #18844412; Energizer, 2020].
What happens if I draw too much current from an alkaline AA?
Excess load causes voltage to collapse below 0.8 V, generates hydrogen gas, and may rupture the seal or leak potassium hydroxide—an edge-case failure [Energizer LR6 Datasheet].
Does temperature affect capacity?
Yes. Alkaline capacity drops about 25 % at –10 °C, while lithium AA retain over 90 % down to –20 °C [Energizer, 2020].
How does series vs. parallel connection change performance?
Series adds voltage but raises resistance, so current capability stays the same. Parallel keeps 1.5 V, halves resistance, and doubles capacity, boosting available current
[Elektroda, Anonymous, post #18844441]
Is there a quick way to see if an alkaline cell is flat?
How can I estimate a battery’s internal resistance at home?
- Measure open-circuit voltage (V₀).
- Load with a known 1 Ω resistor, read loaded voltage (V₁).
- Internal R = (V₀–V₁)/I, where I = V₁/1 Ω. This three-step test gives ±10 % accuracy [Elektroda, Karaczan, post #18845336]
Why do datasheets show more capacity than I measure?
Are AA NiMH rechargeable cells good for high-current devices?
How should I store spare batteries?
Keep them at 15 °C–25 °C, <60 % humidity, in original packaging. Avoid fridge moisture. Lithium AA lose <2 % per year, alkaline lose ≈5 % [Energizer, 2020].
Generated by the language model.
. A fresh L91 / FR6 lithium cell will have lower resistance (approximately 0.1?-0.2? 
Comments
R20 - 5Ah or more. Two primary or secondary cells form a battery. When the cells are connected in parallel, the resistance of the battery decreases (the conductivities of the individual cells add up).... [Read more]
I met with R20 parallel connection in spark gaps for gas flow water heaters, maybe it was about reducing the internal resistance of such a set? [Read more]
This is. The current transferred to the load increased and the capacity increased. [Read more]
I don't understand what the purpose of this article is. All this information is available and rather self-explanatory. It's like rediscovering Ohm's Law. [Read more]
For people who systematically learned electronics / electrical engineering, yes. But take into account that there are electronics enthusiasts among teenagers, they don't have an electrical engineering... [Read more]
Unfortunately, I only have access on the phone and I will not make a table. Pensanic with some pocket weight. In a few other cases, the Rw could also be up to 2 ohms with some free batteries, the rest... [Read more]
What is this article supposed to represent? The engineer should be data driven. So in this case on tests or catalog notes, and not on your "whim". [Read more]
See in which section this article is placed. Beginner Electronics I think it might be useful to them, although the article is very sketchy. It would be worth, for example, to write more about... [Read more]
@Cockroach the more there should be a reference to some catalog note. Let beginners educate themselves to check component parameters, not to copy mindlessly. For example, the Varta Industrial LR6 battery... [Read more]
In addition, sample manufacturer's catalog data: L91 lithium cell: https://data.energizer.com/PDFs/l91.pdf LR6 alkaline cell: https://data.energizer.com/pdfs/alk-power-aa.pdf Did you know that... [Read more]
I am asking the author for forgiveness, but in my humble opinion there is a basic error in the title of the thread ... What does it mean "How many amps have a battery"? A mistake in the vocabulary, because... [Read more]
Do you know what you are talking about ??? [Read more]
This is something similar to the question of how many Hertz a TV has. I know. They must be locked inside somehow. [Read more]
Robert B -> And what was I supposed to write about in the post above? [Read more]
The beginner's question about the possibilities of cells usually sounds like this topic ... I am fully aware that the battery "has no amps" and the socket "has no Hertz" :) and the title of the material... [Read more]
Well, I don't know ... You didn't convince me. The search for a phrase can also be in the text, not only in the subject. And because (as it still seems to me) we are on the technical forum - the... [Read more]
Neither do I. And that is why I agree with the opinion of long-term users that Elektroda descends on dogs (including such titles of "articles"). [Read more]
Everyone has an opinion and that's it the title of the material attracted people who expanded the content of the material with their posts, which is very beneficial. From my point of view, the discussion... [Read more]
And it's not easier to correct the question (preferably in two) 1. What is the current efficiency of the cell? - that is, how many useful amps will flow to the receiver (and here we take into account... [Read more]