off the shelf how many mA in a 1.5 AAA battery?

The resistance of the load and the voltage of the cell ("battery") determines the current. The current determines the life of the cell. Capacity is mA times the life. For example, 100mA for 4 hours until cell is dead gives 400mAhr. The capacity varies depending on the current drawn.

Depends on load, battery type and quality, temperature, etc. Life at a specific current is the key thing.

Here's the datasheet for a particular grade of energizer alkaline:

http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/E92.pdf

At room temp (21°C), time@current = capacity is roughly::

10min @1000mA = 100mAhr

1 hr @ 400mA = 400mAhr

4 hr @ 200mA = 800mAhr

9 hr @ 100mA = 900mAhr

50 hr @ 25mA = 1250mAhr

Wiki has great links for more info. You can start here, look at other wiki articles and check the external links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaline_battery

Here's a site with lots of info:

http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/alkaline_appman.pdf

General info:

http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/alkaline_appman.pdf

an AAA or an AA or D or C battery or any battery (cell) will allow current to flow depending on the load connected.

Ie a tiny led will only Draw a small amount of current. maybe 20mA

but a larger bulb will draw a lot more current.

So the amount of current flow depend on the load connected not the size of the battery.

don't mix up the amp hour rating A/H of a battery with the charging requirements of a component.

A/H is basically the capacity of the battery.

current flow is how many amps are being drawn from the battery.

the experts may say that technically this is not 100% explained but I have just put it into as plain english as I can

AAA came out a few days ago and replaced my battery. I am not sure where people are finding batteries for $78. I paid $134. I already knew the battery was dying. $134 and a 3 year warranty is well worth it for me. In my experience, the battery will either last 5-7 years or it will die in a year, so the three year warranty works well. Also, the AAA technician jumped the battery and gave me the option to get another battery myself. I had already priced batteries and the $134 was not bad. I am not sure the battery will last, but I do not need to be sure. I will get a new battery from AAA if it fails. Bottomline, I do not think you were ripped off.

Typically, 1500 - 2500 mAH depending on the quality of the battery, new at full charge.

-OOPS, that's AA.

AAA is 900 - 1150 mAH

The discharge rate of batteries varies drastically form one technology to another.

over 100 times between carbon/zinc and nickel cadmium

You will find some accurate answers here.

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=batteries+disc...

Hope this properly answers your question