Electronics and technology blog    /    Materials for December 2022 year

I happened to get my hands on some batteries in the relatively uncommon 17650 form factor. I couldn't resist testing them, and as it turned out, I was right to do so.

Among hobbyists—and professionals, for that matter—so-called bench power supplies are very popular. Most are essentially universal adjustable voltage and current sources. Some offer extra features in addition to the usual controls, such as trigger-based overload protection, mode memory, or remote control from a PC or smartphone. But in any case, they’re still adjustable power supplies.

Today I'd like to talk about the characteristics of different types of batteries, focusing on their use in UPSs and, more generally, for long-term off-grid power. I'll try to explain the differences between the various battery types, what situations they're suited to, and some charging-related details.