Selecting a 6V Battery for a Ride-On Toy Car
From mini coopers to coupes, battery-powered ride-on cars come in all shapes and are great fun to ride. However, these toys require adequate energy sources though, and that means buying the right batteries. A 6V battery is a common feature in a toy car that is easily available for replacement. Buy a 6-volt battery pack for your specific ride-on toy.
Which are the various types of rechargeable batteries used for toys?
The type of battery determines its strength and, therefore, its suitability for a particular toy. It also influences the price of the battery. Some common batteries used for ride-on vehicles are:
- Lithium-ion: The batteries are popular in consumer electronics due to their high density. A Li-ion battery has electrodes made of lithium cobalt oxide and graphite while the electrolyte is sodium lithium. Lithium-ion batteries have low discharge rates.
- Nickel-cadmium: NiCd batteries are rechargeable. The positive electrode consists of nickel hydroxide while the negative one is cadmium. They deliver high currents, thanks to their good conduction and low internal resistance.
- Nickel metal hydride: In a charged state, a NiMH battery has a nickel hydroxide positive electrode while the negative electrode has a hydrogen-storing metal alloy. The energy density of this battery is higher than a NiCd battery.
How do lithium single-use batteries differ from alkaline types?
Single-use batteries can be lithium or alkaline. The lightweight nature of lithium is one advantage that it has over alkaline batteries. This quality gives the material a high energy density, meaning that the energy stored in a lithium battery is greater than an alkaline battery of a similar size. Single-use alkaline batteries are suitable for low-powered toys. The energy density of lithium batteries renders them unsuitable for some devices that can suffer damage from too much power. The availability of alkaline batteries means that they cost less than lithium batteries.
How can you tell the difference between lithium and lithium-ion batteries?
The terms lithium and lithium-ion can be confusing when picking a 6V battery for a toy. You can recharge lithium-ion batteries while lithium ones are single-use. Lithium-ion batteries can take several hundred charging cycles in their lifetime. Lithium batteries have a higher energy density because they only use the metal, while a Li-ion battery consists of lithium and other compounds. Lithium-ion batteries have a shorter lifespan than the lithium alternatives.
