How To Perform the Drop Test to Check the Health of Alkaline Batteries?

There are various types of batteries that can be tested using different methods to check how much charge or battery life is left. It is common for us to run into situations when the devices in which batteries are used stop working. But sometimes, the battery is not damaged or entirely run out of charge, but it needs to be tested so that you do not throw a perfectly fine battery like a 9V battery.

There are many methods for testing batteries. For example, by using the dropping method, you can check the health of alkaline batteries by dropping them. If the alkaline batteries bounce back, that would indicate they are going bad, but if they drop and stay still, that would tell you that the batteries are excellent. You can also use a voltmeter, multimeter, or a battery tester by taking exact voltage and getting an exact charge reading of, let’s say, batteries like Argos 9V batteries. Other methods that you can use include an app to scan the batteries and tell any faults or get them inspected by a nearby retailer. This article will specifically focus on the drop test used for alkaline batteries. 

Drop Test for Alkaline Batteries

This testing method is relatively straightforward. There is no intricate art and science involved here, and no instructions are needed. However, if you want to perform it perfectly to get accurate results, you should follow a few things. 

Hold Battery in Vertical Position

Step one includes Holding the battery vertically about 2-3 inches above a hard floor. When the alkaline batteries health reduces, the battery gets bouncier because zinc oxide builds up inside. This bounce test will help you differentiate between old and new batteries. The purpose of holding the battery in a vertical position is so that its flat end hits the ground.

• For AA, AAA, C, and D batteries hold them in a position with the positive end facing up.
• For a 9V battery, hold it in a way with both nods facing up and the flat surface facing down. 
• Make sure that the surface is either hard marble or a metal table. Wood is not a good choice because it absorbs more energy; thus, the battery might not bounce despite its lousy health. 

Replace Battery If It Bounces

This step requires you to check the behaviour of the battery after it hits the hard surface. After dropping the battery, observe whether it bounces back or falls flat on the surface. The battery bounces back several times before falling over, it is in a lousy health position and is an old battery. Is a battery does not bounce back and falls flat on the surface or rolls over to the side without bouncing, then it is a new one and in good health. 

• If the battery bounces back, that does not mean it is dead, but it would indicate that it is an old one and is starting to lose charge.
• This is a very time effective and quick test if you have many batteries at hand and cannot tell the new ones apart from the old ones.

Compared to Dead Batteries

This comparison may be very effective in getting accurate results from this test. This comparison will give you a better reference for the battery you are testing. For this, you would have to take a battery that you know is dead and does not work when placed in a device. Then drop both the batteries simultaneously in close proximity and observe the behaviour of their bounce. Since the reference batter is entirely dead, it will bounce more than the tested battery. This will give you a specific measuring point to accurately test the battery’s health, like a 9V battery Screwfix.

Benefits

• This testing method is time effective as it does not require much time, and many batteries can be tested in a short while.
• This method is very cost-effective as no special testing instruments or equipment are needed to test the alkaline batteries like the 9V battery Asda. 
• An easy and simple method of testing batteries because it does not need any specific skills or guidelines to follow. 
• It saves you from throwing out the alkaline batteries in good health and helps you get rid of batteries that have gone bad already.

Conclusion

The battery dropping method is an effective method for testing alkaline batteries. There is no complicated method or phenomena behind this testing method. You have to drop the batteries and check their bouncing behaviours. The batteries that bounce back are in lousy health, while those that drop flat on the solid surface are in good health.