AAA Batteries. Lithium vs Nimh vs Alkaline

[wise]

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...ed+Lithium+AAA+Batteries+2-pack.jsp?locale=en

1) Pretty much all if not all smartphones run Lithium Ion batteries and love fast charging and have a good life and last a long time (I know this is debatable, but phones do draw a lot of power to be useful). Are these rechargable like a phone battery? (it doesn't say) Can these be recharged by solar cell cell phone chargers?

2) It says they are suitable for cameras, but how about uses in Flashlights? Are they suitable for backpacking trips using flashlights for extended periods? The temperature range boost is a plus, but are these batteries something to really rely on?

3) Are they down right better then using Alkaline batteries?

 

[Marshall2u]

I'm very glad they are 33% lighter than alkaline batteries.... I wouldn't be able to heft my camera around if I didn't have this "light" battery option! <--sarcasm

Sorry, that made me laugh, and if that's one of the best positives they have about using these batteries, it makes me wonder.......

 

[PrecisionTools]

I have used AA lithiums (non-chargeable) in LED torches and they didn't perform that much better than a good quality Alkaline.

There are normal one time use Lithium cells (like the ones in your link) and rechargeable, don't try and re-charge the non-rechargable, there is a good chance they will over heat and/or catch fire. Same with the re-chargeable lithiums...only use a charger designed for them.

If you have a torch that uses the Lithium CR123 &/or the 18650 rechargeable cells, they rock! But in my experience, Lithiums in the more conventional AA & AAA packaging don't work that well, especially for what you pay for them. They may be cheaper in the US/Can. though so your mileage may vary.

http://www.lightjunction.com/ - good source for flash-lights, batteries & chargers

 

[PrecisionTools]

Sorry, that made me laugh, and if that's one of the best positives they have about using these batteries, it makes me wonder.......

Probably the best thing about them in my eyes, is that they use no bad-*** heavy metals and are relatively safe waste compared to what's come before them.

 

[gagreen]

Just because a battery is Lion doesnt mean it's rechargable. LIon batteries have a more steady discharge curve than others which is a double edge sword. You get full performance esp in a flashlight until you get no performance. The discharge curve at the end of the batteries life is steep so if you are camping id have an extra pair (same with conventional batteries as well) I dont think these are rechargeable batteries your looking at.


To see the gain of the discharge curves get a little rc car that can be powered by aaa's use conventional batteries and watch the car slow down every lap switch to lithium and you should see a more consistant lap time till it just shuts down on you. Guess you could do the same with a flashlight but it would take forever lol

 

[Engineer61]

1) NO, these re NOT rechargeable and if you try they will start a fire. The NIMH batteries are rechargeable, and are in-between standard alkalines and the lithiums as far as amount of power that they can store and how much current they can supply.

2) These work best for high current applications, so if you have a flashlight with the xenon or HID bulb they would give a brighter light; LED would depend on the LED module, the really bright ones, 200 lumen CREE etc would be brighter; lower power LED's wouldn't draw enough current to be brighter using lithiums.

3) Yes, even for low current drain they store a lot more power than an alkaline or NIMH so you don't need to carry as many while out in the wilds. They are more expensive, so for use around the home I would stick with NIMH rechargeable or alkaline batteries to save the money.

 

[wise]

I know the cr123 lights are the ones to go for, though they are a bit pricy. The top end blood tracking lights all seem to use cr123, and can also be used as regular lights as well. I havent been able to source a solar cell that has USB + cr123 though, which becomes an issue if you're wanting to do extended trips such as http://www.cabinfeveradventures.com/customriversnisling.html (thats an adventure company, and I'd be going with a few close friends on a different river in the yukon).

Packing light is a very good thing, and good quality + water proof is a must (non-water proof lights can be made waterproof with tread dope and ready gasket as well i've found and tested).

 

[Outlawmws]

Non-rechargable AA/AAA Lithium's have one use IMO. (due to higher cost) Emergency flashlights installed in the light. I keep one flashlight in each car I own with lithium batteries in them.

For my emergency radio I simply keep regular Alkaline in their original package (so they don't leak) and call it good. Those now have a shelf life of ten years in in the original packaging and I've used them at close to 15.