The application cutoff voltage will also impact the battery capacity. The higher the device cutoff voltage,
the more of the battery’s capacity will be left in the battery unused. However, a minimum voltage cutoff
of 0.8 volts per cell due to the increased chance of excessive internal gassing when alkaline batteries are
deep discharged. When the battery has been discharged to 0.8 volts, approximately 95% of the batteries
usable capacity has been removed.
In pulse applications, the duty cycle can impact battery capacity. A very light duty cycle will typically allow
the battery time to recover and extend service versus a continuous drain. The major contributing factor
to this recovery is the migration of active materials within the battery into the reaction area thereby
replacing depleted materials and reaction byproducts. The amount of additional service will depend on
the drain rate, and the duty cycle (ON time and OFF time of the pulse). Actual testing is needed to
determine the amount of additional service expected in pulse applications since there is no simple
equation to accurately calculate the impact of duty cycle on service