C Battery vs D Battery Guide - Applications, Differences and Similarities

C batteries and D batteries are often used in devices such as toys, flashlights, remote controls, and power tools. At a cursory glance, they appear to be very similar, but there are significant differences in size, capacity, and other operating characteristics, and in this article we'll look at the issues that precede C and D batteries.

Catalog

Distinguishing and Comparing C and D Batteries

C and D batteries, while both cylindrical, exhibit distinct size differences:

• - C battery dimensions: 50.0 x 26.2 mm
• - D battery dimensions: 61.5 x 34.2 mm

Although C and D batteries vary in size, they often share similar chemical compositions, including materials such as carbon-zinc, alkaline, and lithium-ion. Alkaline batteries, for instance, are known for their long shelf life and consistent performance. On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries offer a higher energy density, making them ideal for high-energy devices.

C batteries are typically found in moderate-drain items like toys and smaller electronic gadgets. Here, their dimensions fit well, and the energy requirement is lower.

D batteries, larger due to their dimensions, generally suit high-drain devices such as flashlights and portable radios.

Chemical Composition and Model Comparison of C-Cell Batteries

The chemical composition of C-Cell batteries available in the market varies significantly:

Chemistry	Typical Label	Rechargeable	Typical Capacity (Ah)	Nominal Voltage (V)
Zinc-Carbon	R14	No	2-4	1.5
Alkaline	LR14	No (Mostly No)	6-8	1.5
NiCd	KR14	Yes	1.5-3	1.2
NiMH	HR14	Yes	4-6	1.2
Li-SOCl2	ER 26500	No	7-9	3.6
Li-FeS2	-	No	8-11	1.8 (1.5)
Lithium	-	Yes	2-4	1.5 (built-in DC-DC converter)
Lithium	26500	Yes	3-6	3.2-3.7V

The different types include:

Battery Datasheet	Capacity	Operating Temperature	Note
Duracell MN1400 Coppertop (Alkaline)	~6Ah down to 0.8V @250mA ~4.5Ah down to 0.8V @500mA	-20°C to +54°C	-
Duracell QU1400 Quantum (Alkaline)	~5.75Ah down to 0.8V @250mA ~4.6Ah down to 0.8V @500mA	-20°C to +54°C	-
EEMB ER26500 (Lithium Thionyl Chloride 3.6V)	9000 mAh	-55°C to +85°C	0.1A max. cont. ≤1% annual self-discharge rate
EEMB ER26500M (Lithium Thionyl Chloride 3.6V)	6000 mAh	-55°C to +85°C	1A max. cont. ≤2% annual self-discharge rate
EEMB ER26500S (Lithium Thionyl Chloride 3.6V)	5500 mAh	-55°C to +150°C	0.15A max. cont. ≤1% annual self-discharge rate
EEMB CR26500SL (LiMnO2 3.0V Battery)	5000 mAh	-40°C to +85°C	2A max. cont. 3A max. pulse
Energizer E93 (Alkaline)	~8Ah @25mA; ~7Ah @100mA; ~5.5Ah @250mA; ~4.2Ah @500mA	-18°C to +55°C	10 years shelf life @21°C
Energizer NH35-2500 (HR14) (NiMH)	2500 mAh down to 0.9V @1.25&2.5A @21°C 2250 mAh down to 0.9V @5A @21°C	0°C to +50°C	-
Panasonic BK310CHU (NiMH)	3100 mAh down to 1.0V @620 mA @20°C	-20°C to +75°C	-
Panasonic BR-C (LiMnO2 3.0V Battery)	5000 mAh	-40°C to +85°C	5mA std. cont.
Rayovac LR14 Alkaline Fusion (Alkaline)	~7Ah @150mA ~4.6Ah @400mA	-30°C to +55°C	12 years shelf life @21°C
Rayovac LR14 High Energy (Alkaline)	~6.7Ah @150mA 4.5Ah @400mA	-30°C to +55°C	10 years shelf life @21°C
Rayovac LR14 UltraPro (Alkaline)	-	-18°C to +55°C	10 years shelf life @21°C
Ultralife ER26500M (Lithium Thionyl Chloride 3.6V)	6.5Ah @10mA down to 2.0V @23°C	-55°C to +70°C	1A max. cont. 1.5A max. pulse

D-Cell Battery Chemistry and Model Comparison

D-cell batteries chemistries:

Chemistry	Typical Label	Rechargeable	Typical Capacity (Ah)	Nominal Voltage (V)
Zinc-Carbon	R20, 13D	No	6-8	1.5
Alkaline	LR20, 13A	No (Mostly No)	10-18	1.5
NiCd	KR20	Yes	2-6	1.2
NiMH	HR20, B006	Yes	8-12	1.2
Li-SOCl2	ER 34615	No	18-19	3.6
Li-FeS2	-	No	18-24	1.8 (1.5)
Lithium	-	Yes	4-8	1.5 (built-in DC-DC converter)
Lithium	32600	Yes	5-10	3.2-3.7V

D-cell batteries models:

Battery Datasheet	Capacity	Operating Temperature	Note
Duracell MN1300 Coppertop (Alkaline)	~12.5Ah down to 0.8V @250mA ~9.5Ah down to 0.8V @500mA	-20°C to +54°C	-
Duracell QU1300 Quantum (Alkaline)	~11.5Ah down to 0.8V @250mA ~9Ah down to 0.8V @500 mA	-20°C to +54°C	-
Energizer E95 (Alkaline)	~10Ah down to 0.8V @21°C @250mA ~6.5Ah down to 0.8V @21°C @500mA	-18°C to +55°C	10-year shelf life @21°C
Energizer NH50-2500 (HR20) (NiMH)	2500mAh down to 1.0V @500mA @21°C	-	-
Eveready 1250 (ZnMnO2)	8Ah @25mA down to 0.8V @21°C	-18°C to +55°C	-
EEMB ER34615 (Lithium Thionyl Chloride 3.6V)	19Ah	-55°C to +85°C	150 mA max. cont. 300mA max. 0.1s pulse ≤1% annual self-discharge rate
EEMB ER34615M (Lithium Thionyl Chloride 3.6V)	13Ah	-55°C to +85°C	2A max. cont. 3A max. 0.5s pulse ≤2% annual self-discharge rate
EEMB ER34615S (Lithium Thionyl Chloride 3.6V)	12.5Ah	-20°C to +150°C	170mA max. cont. ≤1% annual self-discharge rate
EEMB CR34615SL (LiMnO2)	12Ah	-40°C to +85°C	2A max. cont. 3A max. pulse ≤1% annual self-discharge rate
Procell LR20 (Alkaline)	~19.6Ah @25mA down to 0.8V @20°C	-20°C to +54°C	-
Rayovac LR20 High Energy (Alkaline)	~13Ah @250mA ~10Ah @600mA	-30°C to +55°C	10-year shelf life @21°C
Rayovac LR20 (Alkaline)	~13Ah @250mA ~10Ah @600mA	-30°C to +55°C	-
Rayovac LR20 Alkaline Fusion (Alkaline)	~13.5Ah @250mA ~10Ah @600mA	-30°C to +55°C	12-year shelf life @21°C
Rayovac LR20 UltraPro (Alkaline)	-	-18°C to +55°C	10-year shelf life @21°C
Rayovac R20 (ZnMnO2)	~3.5Ah @600mA	-18°C to +55°C	3-year shelf life @21°C
Rayovac R20 (Carbon Zinc)	-	-30°C to +55°C	3-year shelf life @21°C

Can C-Cell Batteries Replace D-Cell Batteries?

C-Cell batteries can fit into a D-Cell battery compartment with the use of an adapter under certain conditions. However, C-Cell batteries are designed with a lower capacity and discharge current. This means they might not be suitable for all devices they are intended for, particularly those requiring extended and reliable power sources.

The limitation of C-Cell batteries suggests that for sustained and dependable usage, switching to the original D-Cell batteries makes more sense. For example, devices like large flashlights or some portable radios that demand high energy output may encounter functionality issues or performance inconsistencies with C-Cells.

Are D Batteries and LR20 Batteries the Same?

D batteries and LR20 batteries both refer to the same size of cylindrical battery; however, there are nuances worth exploring:

• - D Battery Types: This category includes various model numbers such as MN1300, MX1300, LR20, and R20. These designations often indicate different manufacturers and specific chemical compositions.
• - LR20: This specifically denotes an alkaline chemistry variant of the D-type battery.

While LR20 is indeed a type of D battery, it is only one variant within the broader D battery classification. The distinction primarily lies in the chemical composition and specific application scenarios.

Differences Between LR20 and R20 Batteries

The LR20 and R20 are both D cell batteries, but the LR20 is an alkaline chemistry while the R20 is a zinc-carbon chemistry.

- Alkaline batteries tend to excel across a broader temperature spectrum. This adaptability makes them highly suitable for outdoor applications and environments with significant temperature fluctuations. For instance, users frequently report that devices powered by alkaline batteries show more consistent performance in extreme temperatures compared to those using zinc-carbon batteries. But why do alkaline batteries perform better in such conditions? The critical factor is their internal chemistry, which remains stable under a wider range of thermal extremes.