Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 9, 2026

Lantern battery

A lantern battery is a rectangular battery, typically an alkaline or zinc–carbon primary battery, used primarily in flashlights or lanterns. Lantern batteries are physically larger and consequently offer higher capacity than the more common flashlight batteries. Lantern batteries comprise multiple cells inside a housing.

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A pocket flashlight that uses a 4.5 V lantern battery

A lantern battery is a rectangular battery, typically an alkaline or zinc–carbon primary battery, used primarily in flashlights or lanterns. Lantern batteries are physically larger and consequently offer higher capacity than the more common flashlight batteries. Lantern batteries comprise multiple cells inside a housing.

The most common variant in the US is the 6-volt square-base battery with spring terminals. In Europe the most common one is the 4.5-volt flat pack.1

Common variants

6-volt (left) and 4.5-volt (right) lantern batteries source ↗

6-volt

The 6-volt variety typically has spring or screw terminals. Using various internal construction styles, the same package size may be made up with "D" size or "F" size cells, offering various capacities. A rechargeable version, comprising a three-cell sealed lead-acid battery with a lower capacity than primary versions, has also been marketed.2 They are also used in the construction industry for powering flashing lights at roadworks.3

4.5-volt

More common in Europe and Russia, the 4.5-volt variety is a smaller, flat-pack battery mostly used in flashlights. It uses two metal strips as terminals. The shorter strip is the positive (+) terminal. This variety may be marked as 3R12, 3336, KBS (Russian КБС), 3,7-FMC-0,50 (Russian 3,7-ФМЦ-0,50), or others.

7.5-volt

The 7.5-volt version has screw terminals and a rectangular base. A carrying handle is usually connected between the terminals.

12-volt

The 12-volt version has screw terminals and a rectangular base. Since it is 12-volt, this type can be used to power car accessories outside of an automobile, using extra wiring or an adapter.

Specifications and designations

Name IEC number ANSI/NEDA Manufacturer designations Capacity (Ah) 4 Dimensions (mm)
4.5-volt 5 3R12, 3LR12 3R12, 3LR12, 4.5v G3LR12, 1289/AD28, 210, GP312S, MN1203, 3336 (3336Л, 3336Х), КБС (КБС-Л-0,5, КБС-Х-0,7), 3,7-ФМЦ-0,50, 4,1-ФМЦ-0,50 3 – 4.8 67 × 62 × 22
6-volt, spring fitting6 4R25X, 4LR25X 908AC, 908C, 908CD, 908D EN1209, EN529, MN908, EV90, EV90HP, GP908, PJ996 12 – 26 115 × 68.2 × 68.2
6-volt, screw fitting7 4R25Y, 4LR25Y 915A EN528 26 109.5 × 66.7 × 66.7
6-volt, double8 4R25-2, 4LR25-2 918A EN521, MN918, GP918S, GP918G, 918/1231 52 125.4 × 132.5 × 73
7.5-volt9 5LR25-2 903AC EN715, PC903 43 97 × 184.2 × 103.2
12-volt10 8R25 926 EN732, PC926 7.5 125.4 × 136.5 × 73
See also

See also

References

References

  1. "The Best Lantern Batteries". 10Scope. Retrieved 2021-02-14.
  2. CamdenBoss. "Rechargeable lantern battery" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  3. "Flashing Warning Light". Retrieved 2011-06-04.
  4. When more than one figure is listed, the lower number refers to zinc-carbon batteries, the higher to alkaline.
  5. Golden Power Corporation (HK) LTD. "G3LR12 Engineering Data" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
  6. Eveready Battery Company. "EVR-1209 Engineering Data" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-08-16. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
  7. Eveready Battery Company. "EVR-528 Engineering Data" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-08-16. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
  8. Eveready Battery Company. "EVR-521 Engineering Data" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-08-16. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
  9. Eveready Battery Company. "EVR-715 Engineering Data" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-08-16. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
  10. Eveready Battery Company. "EVR-732 Engineering Data" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-08-16. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
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