difference between battery voltage and mah

[robinta]

What does mah actually mean for a battery ? I have a stock 1500 and an after market one rated at.2650 (allegedly !) The max voltage for each is c.4172mv. How does the mah come into play ?

 

[Deleted User]

What does mah actually mean for a battery ? I have a stock 1500 and an after market one rated at.2650 (allegedly !) The max voltage for each is c.4172mv. How does the mah come into play ?

The term mAH means milli-Amp/Hour which refers to battery capacity. The rating means how many milli-Amps it can produce at full voltage output for one hour. The specifics may not be relevant for end users, except to know that 2000mAH will last twice as long as 1000mAH at the same voltage.

Having said that, if you're looking at extra or high capacity batteries be cautious as some batteries (especially China made) are over-rated. I've seen 2400 packs that don't last any longer than 1400mAH batteries because of the poor design and cheap components. Stick to brand names and well known manufacturing companies in order to get a legit battery. For sophisticated devices like phones, cameras, camcorders, I always buy genuine replacement batteries as they have full compatibility for intelligent battery packs that monitor voltage, current, temp, charge level, etc., and they have honest output ratings. Sure they cost more, but they're often worth it in the long run.

 

[EmperorKabir]

that's not strictly true. (What i am about to write may not be gospel either, but this is my take):

Amp hours are a unit of current x time. Multiplied, not divided.

It is the electric charge transferred for a unit of time. So the higher the number referring to mAh, the more charge it can hold for a given rate of charge flow. Now I'm not sure whether this refers to the amount a battery can take for a unit of time, or if it is capable of outputting higher currents (with extended batteries) for a unit of time..... however:

The voltage between 2 points is the force that would be required to drive a particular amount of electrical energy between those 2 points. So the lower the voltage, the less energy is used up when current flows.

Usually you will find voltages being the same of very similar when comparing something so specfic as one HTC desire battery vs another HTC desire battery of a different brand. Thus when a battery has a higher mAh rating, it is possibly spreading out the current flow over a longer period of time, hence time becomes a variable (longer battery life) as opposed to a different current flow rate or energy transfer rate.

Where they differ though is in their charge capacity, (the mAh stuff), as well as possibly unmentioned other stuff like resistivity of materials, leakage ratings, outright lies about the products etc etc

I personally use the Yoobao extended battery so I can actually use my smartphone instead of turning everything off basically making my smartphone into a phone! Always check reviews before buying an extended battery.

 

[robinta]

thanks guys. I bought this battery a while ago before there were any real reviews. it lasts about the same time as the stock battery. but I'm going no holiday and just need it as a back up - its the Cameron Sino 2400 one btw. thanks for advice.