15V Battery: Models 504/220/BLR154 And 411/208/BLR121 Batteries
15V batteries were high-voltage Zinc-Carbon batteries often used in photo equipment (flashes) and measuring devices (high Ohm resistance).
Thanks to technological advances, lithium batteries are typically used for creating strong flashes, while modern CMOS/MOSFET-based meters don't require high input voltages, making 15V batteries almost obsolete...
Published: May 29, 2023.
15V Batteries Chemistries
15V batteries started as Zinc-Carbon batteries with 10 (ten) cells connected in series for a total of 15 volts per battery.
However, Zinc-Carbon chemistry has many drawbacks, including relatively low capacity and high self-discharge rate, and if the battery is not well designed and built, it will eventually leak, which causes many other issues.
Thus, 15V batteries in recent times are built using alkaline chemistry, while some (desperate) enthusiasts create 15V battery packs using silver-oxide, lithium, and other chemistries, but more on that later.
The two most popular 15V batteries are/were:
- ANSI/NEDA 220 or IEC 10F15 battery, also known as 504, BLR154, B154, V74PX, M504, MN504, E504, etc.
- ANSI/NEDA 208 or IEC 10F20 battery, also known as 411, BLR121, B121, etc.
ANSI/NEDA 220, IEC 10F15 Battery Features and Specifications
ANSI/NEDA 220, IEC 10F15 batteries were first designed as squared batteries with rounded corners - they were "almost" cylindrical batteries, but not fully cylindrical.
These batteries featured dimensions of (L x W x H) ~16 x 16 x 35 mm and were based on Zinc Carbon chemistry.
Newer ANSI/NEDA 220/IEC 10F15 batteries are cylindrical batteries that may fit (D x H) 16 x 35 mm battery compartments and are based on alkaline chemistry, offering a capacity of up to 40-60 mAh, sometimes even more, depending on the battery model, storage temperature, drain current, etc.
However, ANSI/NEDA 220/IEC 10F15 batteries are not as common as they were just 10 years ago - they were phased out in favor of other battery sizes.
Nonetheless, some brands still manufacture them, allowing users to continue to use their devices powered by these batteries.
One of these brands and batteries is Exell 504/220A Battery (Amazon link, opens in the new window).
Exell 504/220A battery is an alkaline battery featuring physical dimensions of (D x H) 15.1 x 34.9 mm (0.59 x 1.37 inches) and a typical capacity of 60 mAh and is an excellent replacement for older Zinc-Carbon ANSI/NEDA 220/IEC 10F15 batteries.
ANSI/NEDA 208, IEC 10F20 Battery Features and Specifications
ANSI/NEDA 208/IEC 10F20 batteries were also based on Zinc-Carbon chemistry but were replaced with alkaline chemistry.
ANSI/NEDA 208/IEC 10F20 batteries are rectangular batteries featuring physical dimensions of (L x W x H) 25 x 16 x 35 mm and feature a nominal capacity of 120-180 mAh.
Just like other 15V batteries, ANSI/NEDA 208/IEC 10F20 batteries were relatively popular up to 10-20 years ago, but now they are phased out almost completely.
However, some brands still offer them in alkaline chemistry, including Exell batteries in the form of Exell 411A NEDA 208 Alkaline Battery (Amazon link, opens in the new window).
Exell 411A NEDA 208 battery is based on alkaline chemistry and features physical dimensions of (L x W x H) 26.2 x 16.1 x 37 mm (1.03 x 0.63 x 1.46 inches) and a nominal capacity of 180 mAh.
Note: Not many brands offer new 15V batteries, but there are a few more. However, these batteries are available on Amazon and if You need them, you can order them in no time.
How To Improvise 15V Batteries
First of all, this is something that is NOT recommended, especially because new 15V batteries are still available on the market.
Second, if You do something like that, whatever happens, it is your own responsibility.
Shrink Wrap LR1130 Or SR1136 Batteries
If You need a 504/220A battery, You can shrink wrap 10 (ten) LR1130/SR1130 (11.6 x 3.1 mm) batteries or 10 (ten) SR1136 (11.6 x 3.6 mm) batteries and get one 15V (31 mm high) or 15.5V (36 mm high) battery pack that still doesn't have required width/diameter, but that can be remedied in other ways.
Theoretically, this is a great idea, but contacts between the batteries are just pressure contacts and can lead to reliability issues in the long run.
3D Print 504/220A Battery Adapter
Similar to shrink wrap, if You own a 3D printer, You can make a 504/220A battery adapter that accepts 10 (ten) LR1130 or SR1136 batteries. Also, such a battery adapter solves the issue of the required width/diameter.
Note: 10 (ten) LR1130 batteries feature a height of ~31 mm which is, in most cases, a little bit too short for replacing the standard 504/220A battery, requiring adding special contacts on one side of the adapter/shrink wrap.
3D Print 411A/208 Battery Adapters
Due to their dimensions, 411A/208 batteries can be replaced using a battery adapter that accepts 10 (ten) LR1130/SR1130 or 10 (ten) SR1136 batteries or a single 504/220A battery.
Such an adapter can be a great solution; however, one must note that used batteries feature lower capacity than a good alkaline 4111/208 battery.
Long Story Short: 15V batteries are not as common as they used to be. However, some brands still manufacture them and offer them on the market via online stores and various hardware shops.
If You are looking for a new 15V battery, the simplest thing to do is to order one or more from online stores, and with fast shipping, You may have them brought to your home very quickly. For example (Amazon links; the links open in the new windows):
15V batteries can be improvised, too, but that is not recommended - again, if You do that, it is your own responsibility!