Eveready Carbon Zinc Battery
Handbook and Application Manual
Energizer Brands, LLC. | 800-383-7323 | www.energizer.com
Eveready Carbon Zinc (Zn/MnO )
Application Manual
Eveready Carbon Zinc batteries are marketed in three basic gradesGeneral Purpose, Heavy Duty and
Super Heavy Duty. Super Heavy Duty is the premium Carbon Zinc, which performs better on moderate to
heavy drains or continuous drains versus the Heavy Duty and General Purpose grades.
Carbon Zinc batteries come in two electrochemical systems: the LeClanche and Zinc Chloride. Most
cylindrical Eveready Carbon Zinc batteries are constructed using the Zinc Chloride system with two
different sealing and jacket constructions namely: Paper Jacket and Metal Jacket. Only a few flat cell or
higher voltage carbon zinc multi-batteries such as those used for 9V batteries currently utilize LeClanche
system.
Eveready Battery Company has aggressively pursued the reduction of heavy metals in all Carbon Zinc
batteries. All Eveready carbon zinc batteries have no added mercury or cadmium.
System Description:
Carbon Zinc: A generic term for primary dry batteries of Zinc Chloride system. This battery has an
anode of zinc, a cathode of manganese dioxide, and a slightly acidic electrolyte.
LeClanche: A Carbon Zinc battery with a slightly acidic electrolyte consisting of ammonium chloride and
zinc chloride in water.
Zinc Chloride: A Carbon Zinc battery with a slightly acidic electrolyte consisting mainly of zinc chloride in
water.
Carbon Zinc batteries provide an economical power source for devices requiring light to moderate drain
because of the use of inexpensive materials and their time proven constructions. All Eveready carbon
zinc cells are primary batteries and therefore are not designed for recharging.
The service capacity of a Carbon Zinc battery is not a fixed number of ampere hours because the battery
functions at different efficiencies depending upon the conditions imposed upon it. The service varies with
current drain, operating schedule, and cutoff voltage. The battery is also affected by the operating
temperature and storage conditions.
2018 Energizer Brands, LLC. Contents herein does not constitute a warranty of service, features or performance
Pag e | 1 Eveready Carbon Zinc Battery
Handbook and Application Manual
Energizer Brands, LLC. | 800-383-7323 | www.energizer.com
The general characteristics of an Eveready Battery Company Zinc Chloride battery are:
Less expensive than alkaline. Economical in terms of cost per hour on moderate current drains
or use frequency.
Less output capacity decrease than LeClanche as the drain rate increases.
Less sensitive than LeClanche to changes in the discharge rate and/or duty cycle.
Lower internal resistance than LeClanche.
Better low temperature performance than LeClanche.
Energy density of approximately 2 to 2.5 watt hours per cubic inch.
Average service maintenance exceeds 90% after one year storage at 21C on typical tests.
Higher open circuit and initial closed circuit voltage than LeClanche or alkaline.
Lower unit weight than alkaline.
Available in voltages ranging from 1.5 volts to 12 volts and in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Sloping discharge curve.
Battery Construction:
The carbon zinc battery uses a zinc anode, a manganese dioxide cathode, and an electrolyte of zinc
chloride dissolved in water. Powdered carbon is used in the cathode mix, usually in the form of carbon
black to improve conductivity of the mix and for moisture retention.
Carbon zinc batteries are produced in two general configurations:
Cylindrical--available as unit cells or in assembled multi-cell batteries
Flat--available in multi-cell batteries only
Within the carbon zinc cylindrical battery category are two constructions: Paper Jacket and Metal Jacket.
The Zinc Chloride battery contains proportionately zinc chloride in the electrolyte and therefore requires
different battery design as shown in the following diagram:
2018 Energizer Brands, LLC. Contents herein does not constitute a warranty of service, features or performance
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