Everyone has seen those large-capacity batteries that were used in flashlights, and are often referred to as flashlight batteries. Nowadays, such batteries called D batteries are widely used for megaphones, radio receiver and transmitter, lanterns, and many other devices that require high drain current with great energy storage. Scroll down to know more about D cell battery!
Best D Cell Batteries
Best for Budget – Rayovac D Batteries, Alkaline D Cell Batteries (12 Battery Count)
The Rayovac D Cell Batteries are designed for consumers who are looking for a reasonably priced option for flashlights, toys, and other electronic devices. The pack of 12 costs about $10 which makes it less than a dollar per battery but their performance is about the same as any other expensive brand available in the market.
These alkaline batteries are known to last a long time and perform well under continuous use. Some batteries usually become hot or start to leak after continuous use. However, that’s not the case with these batteries. The Rayovac Batteries are designed for electronics and can easily be used non-stop without any issues. Another unique capability of the Rayovac Battery is its outstanding shelf-life. The batteries can be stored without any worries for 12 years which makes them the perfect option for your disaster kits.
Finally, the batteries now come in a clear and resealable package which is designed for your convenience as it provides you with a secure way of storing your batteries. The manufacturers test all batches twice before shipment so you can also be sure that you’ll never get a dud when you purchase this battery.
Most Popular – Energizer Max D Batteries, Premium Alkaline D Cell Batteries (8 Battery Count)
Energizer is a top brand for both alkaline and lithium batteries that is recognized globally due to the top-quality and reliability of its products. The Alkaline Battery is extremely long-lasting and can power all electronic devices with reliability. The patented PowerSeal technology ensures that your electronic devices stay protected from any associated risks of using batteries. The biggest risk is due to leakages that damage the electronic devices and can sometimes cause severe reactions on the skin as well. All Energizer batteries are designed with the latest safety features that modern technology offers, so you’ll never have to worry about leakages.
Usually, batteries drain very quickly when they are used on high-demanding electronic devices or when they are continuously used. The Energizer batteries prevent that with its powerful capabilities of providing constant and long-lasting power supply.
These batteries are also designed to stay perfectly fine when they are stored for an extended period. If you are buying them in a bulk, you can be free from any worries as they’ll last even longer than your expectations.
Editor’s Choice – Duracell D12 Procell Professional Alkaline Battery, 12Count
The Duracell D-12 Pro-Cell is a professional battery in every manner imaginable. The alkaline batteries are designed to operate perfectly in every condition without any problems. The batteries have 1.5 volts potential and the capability of providing constant and long-lasting power to your electronic devices. Many batteries have a history of failing in extreme weather conditions which makes them unsuitable for outside use. The Duracell D 12 Procell, however, is free from such problems. You will not see any noticeable change in its performance, no matter where you use it.
The Duracell batteries are also leak proof which will protect your electronics from any damages. The shelf-life of these batteries is also very impressive so you can buy them in bulk to save some costs. The packs available on Amazon are of 12, 24, and 48 so you can choose the best one according to your requirements and how frequently you need to replace the batteries. All the standard precautions of alkaline batteries apply to this product as well. Lastly, Duracell is a reliable name in the market and every single piece you get goes through multiple tests and checks to ensure that you get a fully charged, long-lasting battery every single time.
Amazon-Basics D Cell Rechargeable Batteries
Amazon Basic presents an economical and ecological option that allows you to be a small part of change while saving considerable money. Used batteries are a huge source of economical harm as they are hard to dispose of and recycle. Research indicates that by shifting to rechargeable batteries, we can all make a considerable difference without bringing a drastic change in our lifestyle.
The rechargeable D Cell batteries come backed by the reliability of Amazon and a 12-month warranty so you won’t have to worry about the quality of the product. The initial price of the batteries is higher than the other option in this list but this product saves you money in the long run. In the pack of 4, each battery comes with a full charge and the energy storage capacity of 10,000 mAh. You can buy Amazon’s Ni-MH charger along with the battery or use any universal battery charger for these batteries.
The Amazon Basics Rechargeable Batteries perform exceptionally well in high-drain conditions. These batteries last a long time and provide a consistent level of power without any worries. The battery cells are designed to last for more than 1200 cycles so you can be sure that you won’t have to look for replacement batteries for a very long time.
Tenergy 1.5V D Alkaline LR20 Battery, High-Performance D Non-Rechargeable Batteries
The Tenergy 1.5V D Alkaline Batteries are another reasonably priced choice for users who want a reliable and powerful battery for their lights, motion sensors, toys, network devices, and other electronics. The long-lasting batteries come with a shelf life of 5 years and the capability of working perfectly in extreme temperatures. The tests indicate that the battery works perfectly in the range of -40 F to 1290 F and show some decrease in performance outside this range.
The Tenergy batteries are not rechargeable and come with date codes to guarantee any freshness and prevent any tampering. These batteries are also made under strict quality guidelines and are certified by ROHS and SGS. These batteries have passed all the safety requirements set by these organizations so you can easily use them in your children’s toys without ever worrying.
Finally, in addition to their reasonable prices, the Tenergy batteries also come in bulk packages of 12, 24, and 96 pieces so users can save even more money without compromising on their overall experience.
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What Is A D-Cell Battery?
As there are many types and sizes of batteries available, you may get a bit confused about the D cell battery. The first-ever D cell battery was introduced in 1898 by the National Carbon Company and is still used extensively. D cell also known as R20 according to the IEC, is a cylindrical shaped dry cell with a size of about 1.3 by 2.42 inches and boosts high capacities up to 20,000mAh.
Types of D batteries
A D battery consists of a case, a positive pole, and a negative pole, to allow the flow of electricity. It’s hard to believe that a small cylindrical tube with a sticker on it can power so many devices. The batteries’ positive terminal is made of a metal that receives electrons while the negative metal terminal releases electrons but both the poles are kept apart with an internal barrier.
Zinc-carbon
The zinc-carbon D battery also called 13D has a nominal voltage of 1.5V with a capacity of about 8000mAh. It is the most commonly used type and has an outer metal case made of zinc. This zinc case acts as an anode while an internal center carbon rod is the cathode. The space between positive and negative electrodes has a moist paste of ammonium chloride that works as an electrolyte.
Plus, the carbon rod also has a lining of manganese(IV) oxide. Although widely used in flashlights, transmitter sets, clocks, remote controls, and other devices, this type of D battery tends to have a shorter life because zinc container tends to thin out when as the metal oxidizes to zinc ions. Moreover, zinc-carbon D cell is not rechargeable. Brands that make great performance zinc-carbon D batteries include Panasonic, Sony, Duracell, Eveready, Camelion, Philips, and Rayovac.
Alkaline
The Alkaline also called 13A or LR D battery is very similar to zinc-carbon type with the same nominal voltage 1.5V. However, this type has longer shelf-life and high energy density than zinc-carbon type. The capacity ranges from 12,000 to 18,000mAh that is 3 times more than acidic D cell. Energy comes from the chemical reaction between manganese dioxide and zinc. This D cell type gets its name from potassium hydroxide; alkaline electrolyte instead of using an acidic one like ammonium chloride in zinc-carbon type. Alkaline D batteries are used in many household items that need high-drain current. Though alkaline batteries are non-rechargeable, there are some specific brands like Tenergy and Pure Energy offer alkaline 1.5V rechargeable D batteries.
Lithium metal
Another common type of D cell battery is lithium, FR20, or 13LF which uses lithium metal as a positive electrode. What makes this type unique is its longer shelf life with high charge density. These D cell batteries’ nominal voltages range from 1.5V to 3.7V depending on the electrolyte and metal cathode used. This type is used to power portable electronic devices that include small vehicles, toy cars, and other radio-controlled toys. The best consumer-grade lithium D cell includes Li-MnO2 and Li-FeS2 that uses Propylene carbonate as an electrolyte. Li-FeS2 has Iron disulfide as cathode and lithium metal rod as anode with a cell voltage of 1.4-1.8V and high discharge of current. Energizer is a popular brand that makes lithium D cell batteries.
Nickel-cadmium
KR20 or nickel-cadmium C cell batteries have wide capacity ranges 2000-5500mAh with a nominal voltage of 1.2V. The great thing about this type of D cell is that it is rechargeable as reactions inside the battery are reversible. It uses metallic cadmium as the anode while nickel hydroxide is the anode with potassium hydroxide electrolyte. With 50–150 W. h/L of energy density, nickel-cadmium D cell batteries are more commonly used in power tools like a flashlight, photography devices, emergency lights, and other portable devices.
NiMH
The most powerful type of D cell battery is the Nickel-metal hydride one. Similar to nickel-cadmium type, it uses nickel oxide hydroxide as a positive electrode but in place of cadmium metal, the NiMH uses an alloy that absorbs hydrogen as its cathode. This rechargeable type has the highest energy density and capacity range of 2200–12000 mAh than any other D cell type though nominal voltage is the same as others; 1.5V. Since this D cell battery has a low internal resistance, it is mainly used for high-drain current requirements generally consumer gadgets, electronics, and electric vehicles.
Things To Consider Before Buying D-Cell Batteries
Before you purchase the D cell battery pack, consider the following things:
Rechargeable or non-rechargeable
All D cell batteries have infinite metal supply and once most of it is oxidized, the battery dies. However, battery types like Nickel-metal hydride and nickel-cadmium are rechargeable which means that they make the oxidation-reduction process reversible. Charging these battery types allows the electrons to flow back in the opposite direction and regenerates the metal making more electrons for oxidation the next time you need them. On the other hand, the rechargeable D cell battery has a lower voltage than typical types with 1.5V. Keep in mind that electronic performance is affected by low voltage but always checks the voltage requirement of the device for which you want to buy D cell battery. Also, the rechargeable D cell batteries won’t last forever and will expire eventually.
Price and shelf life
If you plan to purchase D cell batteries in bulk, keep in mind that different batteries have different shelf lives ranging from 3 to 10 years depending on storage conditions and metals used. NiCd and NiMH rechargeable batteries tend to be expensive whereas zinc-carbon and lithium D cell batteries are more economical to buy.
Most popular brands that make all types of D cell batteries for professional, industrial, and home usage are Duracell, Panasonic, Toshiba, Rayovac, Energizer, and Tenergy.