Lantern battery

6 volt & 4.5 volt lantern batteries

A lantern battery is a rectangular, alkaline or zinc-carbon primary battery used primarily in flashlights or lanterns. Lantern batteries are physically larger and consequently offer higher capacity than the more common torch batteries. Lantern batteries comprise multiple cells inside a housing.

The most common variant in the US is the 6 volt square-base battery with spring terminals. In Europe the most common is the 4.5 volt flat-pack types.

• 1 Common variants
  • 1.1 6 Volt
  • 1.2 4.5 Volt
  • 1.3 7.5 Volt
  • 1.4 12 Volt
• 2 Specifications and designations
• 3 References

Common variants

6 Volt

The 6-volt variety typically has spring or screw terminals. Different types have different internal construction; the same package size may be made up with "D" size or "F" size cells, giving different capacity. A double-size version (same size as two normal versions next to each other) exists for applications requiring more capacity.

In the UK and Australia, it is used in the construction industry for powering flashing lights at roadworks. ^[1]

In Switzerland as of 2008, 6-volt lantern batteries accounted for 0.4% of primary battery sales. ^[2]

4.5 Volt

More common in Europe and Russia, this is a smaller, flat-pack battery mostly used in flashlights. It uses two metal strips as terminals. The shorter strip is the + terminal.

This size of battery is sometimes found in disposable flashlights in the United States.

In Switzerland as of 2008, 4.5-volt lantern batteries accounted for 1% of primary battery sales. ^[3]

7.5 Volt

The 7.5-volt version has screw terminals and rectangular base. A carrying handle is usually connected between the terminals.

12 Volt

The 12-volt version has screw terminals and a rectangular base. Since it is 12-volt, this type can be used to power car accessories outside of an automobile, using extra wiring or an adapter.

Specifications and designations

References