Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi,

I'm using batteries to power a small motor and LED in my project, geometry dash lite but the batteries run out much faster than expected. What factors in the circuit cause this, and how can I reduce power loss?

Any ideas how to fix it? Thanks

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Hi - what type of batteries and how many are you using in the project? Can you provide links to the exact battery and LEDs you're using?

For LEDs, you can use a larger current-limiting resistor in series with the LED, which will result in it drawing less current, therefore making the battery last longer. This comes at the cost of making the LED dimmer since there is less current. We have a video series about this here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlBV ... VALvImlnyb

However, this may be a moot point, because motors typically draw much more current than LEDs, and running a motor continuously will drain a battery fairly quickly depending on the size of the motor and the type of batteries. You do not typically use a current-limiting resistor with a motor, so there isn't really a simple way to reduce the power consumption.

To make the batteries last longer, you would either need to add more of the same type of battery in parallel, or use bigger batteries (for example, AA instead of AAA).

Hope that helps,

Ben