Tired of leaking alkalines, I've thought about switching to regular lithium (not li-ion) primary cells. Especially in devices I use for emergencies. I keep the batteries in them unused for long periods of time.
However I've heard that lithium's have a bit higher voltage than alkaline's and some electronics cannot handle this. My Coast headlamp, for example. The manufacturer says the higher voltage and capacity could damage the light. I checked the no-load voltage of a AA lithium and alkaline - both new. The lithium was 1.8V, the alkaline was 1.6V. Both batteries listed their voltage at 1.5V.
Aside from some incandescent Mag-lights I have lithium's in some portable radios (a weather and AM/FM.) Are the radios ok? Can you use these batteries only in things that specifically say lithium's can be used?
In short, what are the rules for using these things?
However I've heard that lithium's have a bit higher voltage than alkaline's and some electronics cannot handle this. My Coast headlamp, for example. The manufacturer says the higher voltage and capacity could damage the light. I checked the no-load voltage of a AA lithium and alkaline - both new. The lithium was 1.8V, the alkaline was 1.6V. Both batteries listed their voltage at 1.5V.
Aside from some incandescent Mag-lights I have lithium's in some portable radios (a weather and AM/FM.) Are the radios ok? Can you use these batteries only in things that specifically say lithium's can be used?
In short, what are the rules for using these things?