I took a toy apart to use parts from it to make a magic prop (I'm sure others have done that.. ). The electronics part I used requires 6 (AA) batteries. This is a huge battery pack to hide in my jacket so I was wondering if there's a way to get the same power from smaller batteries.

I went to Radio Shack and asked them and they said that a 9 volt will do. But when I tried it there wasn't enough power. I think they where just waving me off like many of those people who work in these kinds of places do.

Anyway, does anyone know what I can do? What other types of batteries I can use to get the same amount of power as 6 (AA) batteries?

Thanks.

Ron Jaxon

I don't have your answer Jaxon, but don't feel too bad, N.A.S.A. has the same problem. The sad truth is that all of today's current technology dry cells give off exactly one and a half volts. A nine volt battery is really six batteries in one. etc. The problem comes with the amperage or "the oomph" of the battery voltage. You might try two nine volts in tandem, but but you run the risk of burning out the mechanism.

One thing you might try is taping a string of six AAs to your arm. If you are wearing a jacket these might not show.

Sorry this isn't better news. N.A.S.A. worked out a nuclear powered battery that had lots of people very upset.

Ron,
Be careful when changing voltage, batteries can get very hot and sometimes explode. My favorite tech source is http://www.mouser.com If you call or e-mail them they may know how to help.

Good Luck,
Kregg

Years ago, I had a battery pack for an electronic flash. It used nicads with a step up transformer. Charged up quick and put out 500 volts.

Can you save Mr. Electric?

Hey Ron,

There are lots of alternatives out there for you.

Due to Cel. phone technology there has been a gigantic leap in battery technology over the past couple of years.

If anyone would like some answers? Please feel free to PM me. Because I will need to know specifics of the application to reccomend the proper battery type and cells.

Also, a lot of the new Lithium Polymer Cells can be explosive if not handled right so proper care must be taken to insure that you are using the proper batteries for the right application.

Michael Berends

Look at batteries for micro-radio control airplanes. Pickup a copy of BackYard Flyer magazine and look at some of the stuff available that could have a magic application.

Sammy the Kid

Ron! Long time no see, hope all is fine.

You could try to use two 9 V batteries in tandem and use a resistor to cut the voltage. Allthough I am not sure whether this would affect the amperage considerably. Can't remember the proper terms, but there is two ways to use two batteries...connect them one way and you get 9 volts (for twice as long I presume); connect the the other way and you get 18 volts.

Parallel and series

1.5 volts times (6) batteries equals 9 volts provided the batteries are wired in series, if they are in parallel the output from the pack will be 1.5 volts, establish this fact first. If the device requires 9 volts and will not run on a single 9 volt battery this indicates insufficient amperage. Solution? Wire (2) 9 volt batteries in parallel (positive to positive and negative to negative), they will deliver 9 volts at twice the amperage of a single cell.

Bill

Thanks everyone.

What you just said BSutter seems to be exactly what's happening. I wired a 9 volt onto it and it didn't seem to have enough power and the LED indicator light slowly faded out. Yes, the battery is new and I tried a few of them to make sure. All the 9 volts got this same result. But when I hooked it to the 6 AA's it worked fine.

I tried hooking two 9 volts to it but it got the same results. Let me tell you what I did to make sure I did it right.

I simply rigged a second 9 volt to the negative and positive. So there are two black wires connected to the same place and two red wires connected to the same place. Is this the right way? If so then it doesn't work so far.

Maybe I should point out that the power is used to create heat. It's basically a mini fog machine I'm working on. I know there are some out there already but they don't work for my need. The one I have will except for the huge battery pack.

So thanks again and I appreciate all the advice and suggestions.

Ron Jaxon

Just one more thing that would help with this is that batteries capacity is available in Amp-Hours (how much current they can provide and for how long). Once you figure out the current needed and how long you need it to run for, you can size your batteries appropriately. I'd also stay away from Radio Shack for any technical advice (you find the exception). You should be able to find a battery company (just look in the phone book) in your area that can find you the right battery for the job (i.e. you might find a single battery that will do the job instead of complex wiring that could fail at the worst moment.) Best of luck with your project.

Try a hobby shop that is up on RC airplanes
1/2 AA are a posibility and are 1/2 the size.
The other advantage is that most owners are gadget type guys and would love to help with your project. Show him a couple of tricks and I'll bet he jumps right on board.

Good luck