7-year AA lithium batteries

Phlack · Feb 27, 2004

This was touched on a while ago.

I have purchased several of the "7 year batteries" for smoke detectors. Well, at least one of them isn't lasting 7 years and I know that because my house isn't 7 years old, yet it's chirping.

Is it a guarantee that these last 7 years? ie can I try to get a refund? If so, how? Or is it an implied "up to 7 years, your mileage will vary"? Or do I just buy another one, then return the old one saying defective, and then get yet another replacement?

What are everyone's experiences with these 7 year smoke detector batteries?

-Mike

kitelights · Feb 27, 2004

It refers to the shelf life. I'm not familiar with a 7 year - all the lithium cells and batteries that I've seen are 10 year. And all the smoke detectors that I've seen take a 9 volt battery.

If the detector has had "activity" (burned toast setting it off, etc) then it will cut into the life of the battery.

If you put a flashlight in your glove box with lithium cells and don't use it, you can expect the battery to be good for 10 years (for when you need it). But if you were to use the light 2 - 3 times a week and during a power outage, I don't think that you'd expect the batteries to last for 10 years.

Phlack · Feb 27, 2004

The smoke detector also is AC powered. The battery is just there for backup, so I'm not even sure why it's draining, except for normal shelf-life purposes.

It's stopped chirping for now; not sure why (and I don't recall yelling at it). Still interesting, though.

Phlack · Mar 10, 2004

Hasn't started chirping again. Very interesting.

doubleganger · Mar 10, 2004

I'd check to make sure you are actually getting ac to the device. Since it was chirping and then stopped I'd be sure and test it with and without ac to make sure it's still working.

gwbaltzell · Mar 12, 2004

The only one I'm aware of is a 9V lithium. It has a 10 yr warranty in ionization (only) smoke detectors. AC power not required for this service life. However it is better to use a dual photo-electric and ionization type in most rooms. If AC powered any lithium cell should last for ten years if there are no power failures. The circuit that tests the battery must drain it slightly.

Ultralife main page and warranty.

gwbaltzell · Mar 16, 2004

After just posting on this subject and while at Target looking for Dorcys, I stumbled on a couple of clearance "First Alert" alarms. They had the Ultralife batteries and the packaging made me think they were both ionization and photoelectric but they're not (model SA97B). Anyway the package itself says 10-year battery warranty, in addition to the 10-year warranty on the alarm itself. These are NOT AC powered. What I can't figure out: If the detector itself is supposed to be replaced in 10 years and the battery is supposed to last ten years, why do they tell me what kind of battery to replace in the alarm? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

Photon · Mar 16, 2004

Possibly because if it starts buzzing, that draws a lot more from the battery, thus depleting its power before 10 years.

gwbaltzell · Mar 16, 2004

But the existing battery would be replaced under warranty! There is no stated limits on the warranty. Of course the real reason is that you need a battery in the alarm while the replacement is being shipped. I was just trying to point what on the surface appears to be an incongruity.