Batteries - Best Buy Tips
Introduction
AA and AAA batteries are used for years in toys and sensors to make them portable, and with the coin cell batteries, devices can be made very small but still battery powered.
The advantage for sensors is that you can place them everywhere without the need to wire them. Some devices can run for years on a single battery, but now and then you still need to replace them.
Before you start using a new sensor, first check what kind of battery it uses and if you already have some of them available in case they are empty. When it gets out of fuel, you can directly replace it with a new battery.
To avoid waste of pressure metals, you can also use rechargeable equivalents.
Did you know that for all the regular coin cells, there are also rechargeable variants available
On the long end, they are cheaper because you can use them over and over again. You also don’t have to worry about buying new ones, just recharge and reuse them!
If you use the disposables, and they are empty, bring them to a location where they can recycle them!
On this page, you find links to online stores where you can buy the most common batteries also the links to the rechargeable equivalents.
Also, ways to convert a battery powered device into a wall powered device.
And how you can replace a CR2032 battery for two AAs for a much longer battery life.
Table of Contents
- AA
- AAA
- CR2032
- CR1632
- CR2450
- Battery eliminators
- DIY Zigbee outlet sensor
- Battery powered Christmas decorations
NOTE 1: Links on this page can be affiliate links. You pay the normal price and also support my blog.
AA
AA is the most common battery size. You find them in bigger sensors, remote controls and toys.
Disposable
Cheap and easy to buy, but after use they end up as waste.
Rechargeable
Rechargeable AA batteries, like the Eneloop, can be reused hundreds of times, which makes them cheaper in the long run.
Charger
One charger works for both AA and AAA batteries.
AAA
AAA batteries are smaller than AA, and are used in compact sensors, like motion and contact sensors.
Disposable
Cheap and easy to buy, but after use they end up as waste.
Rechargeable
The advantage of these is that they are everywhere available to buy, also in your local supermarket. Because of the size, they can run for a long time on a single battery. Even these are available as rechargeable. The downside is that these make the sensor also quite big.
Charger
The same charger works for both AA and AAA batteries.
CR2032
The CR2032 is the most used coin cell battery in small Zigbee sensors, like temperature and contact sensors.
Disposable
This CR2032 is the most commonly used battery. It’s small, but still has enough power to run sensors for a year.
Rechargeable
The CR2032 rechargeable version is the LIR2032. Instead of buying batteries for only a single use it’s also possible to buy the rechargeable variant of the CR2032, called LIR2032. They are not very famous and more expensive, but environment friendlier, and it reduces waste.
Charger
Use a charger that is made for rechargeable coin cells, like the LIR2032.
Batteries not included. Lights green when it's full. DON'T CHARGE NORMAL DISPOSABLE CR2032 WITH IT!
CR2032 USB battery replacements
It’s also possible to convert a wireless CR2032 devices to a USB wired devices. Now you don’t have to care about replacing batteries.
CR2032 coin cell to two AA batteries adapter
Replace a CR2032 with two AA to get 18.5x longer life span!
Now, it’s also available as product.
CR1632
This CR1632 battery is a bit smaller than the CR2032.
Disposable
The disposable CR1632 coin cell.
Rechargeable
The CR1632 rechargeable version is the LIR1632.
Charger
A charger for rechargeable coin cells, like the LIR1632.
CR2450
This CR2450 battery is a bit thicker than the other ones.
Disposable
The disposable CR2450 coin cell.
Rechargeable
The CR2450 rechargeable version is the LIR2450.
Charger
A charger for rechargeable coin cells, like the LIR2450.
Battery eliminators
Battery eliminator (aka battery replacements) is, as the name already says, a replacement for battery power device to connect them to the main power. This saves you from buying new batteries. The big advantage is also that you now can control them with your home automations by adding a smart plugin between the plug and the wall outlet. Now you also don’t have to worry that you forgot them to put them off again. There are different variants of them. Replacements for AA or AAA batteries and with a plug or USB connector. The advantage of a USB connector is that you can plug multiple to an active powered USB-hub to control multiple ones.
DIY Zigbee outlet sensor
Sometimes you want to convert a battery powered Zigbee sensor to a hardwired sensor. You can use these battery eliminators for that.
Battery powered Christmas decorations
I use these a lot for all kinds of my Christmas decorations.
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