http://www.radioshack.com/product/index....
You will need to use the same number of cells to get the correct voltage. Example: two C cells replace two AA cells. If there is a lab balance in your classroom you could weigh the batteries and test the hypothesis that battery life is proportional to the masses of the batteries.
I expect that battery life will be much greater with the larger batteries.
C, D, AA and AAA batteries are all 1.5V (a bit more for fresh alkalis, a bit less for NiMh)
If something uses 2 or 3 AA batteries, they are usually in series to make 3V or 4.5V.
You cannot split a C cell in half (well, you could with a saw down the middle but it would be messy and probably break bits rather than cut them evenly, and expose corrosive chemicals, so it's a silly idea).
You are probably best to run incandescent light bulbs, maybe 3V or 1.5V like in a flashlight, ot something with a small motor like a toy car or energizer bunny.
You can solder wires to the top and bottom of batteries, but a battery holder is much easier. Alligator clips won't hold a battery.
"appliance" in the US usually means something like a stove or dishwasher, which need 120V AC and you are never going to run off small batteries. If you mean something like a flashlight or pocket fan, see above about voltage.
If you have a voltmeter, you can measure the voltage across the battery and see how much it drops with time.
You could use wires with alligator clips to connect everything, assuming it all has tabs you can clip to, or use a soldering iron and solder the wires in place
high-power flashlight bulb
bulbholder to take bulb
battery holders for C, AA, AAA batteries
wire
watch for timing
cheap digital voltmeter
rosin-core solder
alligator clips
selection of batteries - carbon-zinc, alkali, different sizes
graph paper (or computer graphing software like Excel/Matlab/OpenOffice)
Buy C size battery holder to do the test, clips cannot hold bottom of battery. Cost about $1
Size C is close equal to two pieces size AA.
1000W to 2000W Heater or press iron or 1500W to 2400W stove element have the lowest resistance among all appliances at home. AA battery cannot power them because they are running on 120V whereas AA battery is 1.5V.
2000 watts heater has resistance about 7 ohms. It can be used to drain one AA cell at a rate of 0.2A. At least five to ten hours to drain a fresh AA cell completely ( depending on the battery AH rate ).
So far,no device was designed to run with just using one AA cell at high power drain.
All electrical devices have critical ratings for:
(1) Voltage
(2) Amperage
(3) Power (Power = Voltage × Amperage)
This technical stuff is used to match power supplies
(batteries, outlets, etc.) to appliances.
First, the "duration" of electrochemical cells ("batteries") is
determined by their capacity (Ampere hours), and among
other things, the rate at which energy is withdrawn.
For example: a AA 1.5VDC alkaline manganese oxide cell can deliver
about 100 milli Amperes for about 24 hours @ 20°F before
falling below .8VDC .At -40°C this drop only takes 1 hour.
Your project will be challenging. I suggest that you visit:
http://www.energizer.com/Search/Pages/Re...
From here you can get .pdfs with data on batteries.
Also see: http://batteryuniversity.com
for terminology and basic ideas.
To answer your question; you can't run 120VAC appliances directly
from DC batteries. You must match Voltage and power requirements
for DC devices.
1. CAUTION.
Draining a battery rapidly leads to overheating and possible hazard.
2. The energy available from a battery will vary with the rate at which
you discharge, (draw from), the battery.
I have to do a science experiment at school and I was considering testing the duration of different sized batteries. If I use alligator clips on a C battery or any other battery size in an appliance which only uses AA batteries will it work? If not, is there any product that will allow me to do so. I'm willing to spend as much as $100. Will the same method work on appliances with power cords? And can one C battery power an appliance that requires 2 or more AA batteries if I split the alligator clips. Finally, what appliance requires a lot of energy as the faster each battery runs out the easier it is to time but can be powered for at least 30 seconds by an AA battery.
