The Drained Small Energy Cell is a miscellaneous item in Fallout: New Vegas.
Gameplay
A Drained Small Energy Cell is the byproduct of a spent Energy Cell. Identical in appearance to the charged version, they are Energy Cells with very little charge left in them. Not enough to power a shot from an energy weapon, but enough that, if a player character gathers more of them, the remaining charge can be pooled together to make fresh, usable cells.
Recipes
Recycling, Energy Cell - With a Science skill of 10, a player character can pool the leftover charge from four Drained Small Energy Cells to make a fully-charged and usable Energy Cell.
- Requires: Science 10, four Drained Small Energy Cells
- Creates: One Energy Cell
Efficient Recycling, Energy Cell - With a Science skill of 35 and the Vigilant Recycler perk, a player character can wring a little extra charge out of each Drained Cell, reducing the number of Drained Cells needed to make new ones.
- Requires: Science 35; Vigilant Recycler; three Drained Small Energy Cells
- Creates: One Energy Cell
Honest Hearts adds the following recipe requiring Drained Small Energy Cells to the workbench.
Conversion, Fission Battery to SEC - With a Science skill of 45, a player character can transfer the stored energy in a battery into Drained Small Energy Cells.
- Requires: Science 45; one Fission Battery, five Drained Small Energy Cells
- Creates: 25 Energy Cells
Locations
Six in the Cueva Guarache.- Four in the Fallen Rock Cave.
- Four on Durable Dunn's Sacked Caravan.
- Three in Griffin Wares Sacked Caravan.
- Three inside the Silver Rush.
- Drained Small Energy Cells can also be taken from the dead bodies of enemies wielding a Laser Pistol, Plasma Pistol or a Plasma Defender.
- After being favored by the Brotherhood of Steel, the various paladins will leave various drained energy weapon cells and packs, including Drained Small Energy Cells.
- A Drained Small Energy Cell may be acquired after firing a weapon that uses the Energy Cell based on the type of ammunition you use.
| Name | Empty casing |
|---|---|
| Energy Cell | 35% Chance |
| Energy Cell, Over Charge | 25% Chance |
| Energy Cell, Max Charge | 10% Chance |
| Energy Cell, Bulk | 20% Chance |
Energy Cell, Optimized 
|
40% Chance |