3R12 square battery

3R12 batteries are galvanic batteries used as power sources in various electrical appliances.

They began to be used to provide power in flashlights at the beginning of the twentieth century. Now their popularity has decreased significantly, but they are still sometimes used in various devices.

3R12 Battery Specifications

Structurally, these batteries are three series-connected elements of frame size R12, combined in one rectangular case. Their contacts are plate strips of metal in which a shorter output refers to the anode (plus), and a longer one to the cathode (minus).

3R12 refers to salt cells, and 3LR12 refers to alkaline batteries. According to Soviet standards, such batteries were originally called KBSL (dry summer pocket batteries), or KBSH (cold-resistant), and later - elements 3336, “Planet”, and also “Ruby” for the alkaline version.

The USSR also produced a lead battery of this size with the marking 2SG-1,3, which had a voltage of 3 volts and a capacity of 1300 mAh.

Due to the long history of the use of these batteries, often used in Soviet lanterns, they are popularly known as the “square” or, less commonly, “flat” batteries. In English, this battery is sometimes called a lantern battery.

Batteries size 3R12 have the following technical parameters:

• height - 67 mm;
• width - 62 mm;
• thickness - 22 mm;
• rated voltage - 4.5 volts;
• weight - about 170 grams;
• typical capacity is 500-700 mAh for salt elements and up to 4800 mAh for alkaline batteries;
• shelf life - about two years at a temperature of about 20 degrees for salt batteries and up to 10 years for alkaline.

These batteries have the same advantages and disadvantages as the cells that comprise them.

3R12 salt electrolyte batteries have the following disadvantages:

• voltage decreasing during operation;
• loss of performance under heavy load (more than 100 mA);
• short warranty storage period (up to 2-3 years);
• significant self-discharge (their capacity drops by 15-20% annually);
• decrease in specific capacity with decreasing temperature up to the termination of work at negative temperatures.

The advantage of salt elements is their low cost and small self-healing when disconnected from the load.

Note! Due to the small maximum value of the operating current, 3R12 salt batteries are recommended to be used only in devices with low current consumption.

3LR12 alkaline batteries have much better features:

• large specific capacity (up to 4800 mAh) and high power;
• long term of operation and storage;
• maintaining operability at low temperatures;
• small self-discharge.

On the negative side, 3LR12 alkaline batteries cost more than 3R12 salt batteries.

When using square batteries, it is necessary to monitor the correct connection of the poles, to prevent short circuits of the poles, overheating, throw into the fire, you can not disassemble them. It is not recommended to use different types of batteries at the same time, as well as charged and discharged cells together.

Analogs of a square battery 3R12

The direct analogues of the 3R12 battery can be called the alkaline version of 3LR12.

There are special adapters that allow you to use three AA batteries in the same case with 3R12 battery sizes. In addition, there are similar housings for the three R10 elements.

Using AA batteries the total voltage will be less, because they, as a rule, have a voltage of 1.2 volts, which when connected in series with three elements gives only 3.6 volts at the required 4.5 volts.

Areas of use

Galvanic sources of size 3R12, as a rule, are used in such portable electrical appliances:

• lanterns;
• broadcast receivers;
• Kids toys;
• measuring instruments.

Can I charge 3R12 power supplies?

3R12 galvanic power supplies, like any other disposable batteries, cannot be charged.

When you try to charge, unpleasant consequences may occur associated with electrolyte leakage, deformation of the battery case and even a fire or explosion.

Popular manufacturers and their features

Like any other batteries, when buying 3R12 batteries, you should focus on products from well-known manufacturers that guarantee good quality.

You can be sure of buying quality products when purchasing 3R12 batteries from such manufacturers:

• Daewoo;
• Varta;
• Duracell
• Trophy
• GP;
• Minamoto;
• Energizer
• Sony
• Camelion.

It is not recommended to purchase products from unknown manufacturers, as well as batteries under the Cosmos and Supermax brands, which are produced in China for sale in Russia.

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