AA Batteries

mikekoz

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 19, 2007
Messages
1,281
I was wondering if anybody that uses AA flashlights has tried the newer high grade batteries in them. Right now I have a set of Energizer Lithiums, Panasonic oxyrides, and several sets of Panasonic Digital Power alkalines. The two types of Panasonic batteries I have are supposed to last 2-3x as long in high drain devices. The Lithium batteries are supposed to last 7x as long, but I do not think it is safe to use lithiums in all lights. Does anybody have any opinions or insight into this? Any response would be appreciated!!
 
I was wondering if anybody that uses AA flashlights has tried the newer high grade batteries in them. Right now I have a set of Energizer Lithiums, Panasonic oxyrides, and several sets of Panasonic Digital Power alkalines. The two types of Panasonic batteries I have are supposed to last 2-3x as long in high drain devices. The Lithium batteries are supposed to last 7x as long, but I do not think it is safe to use lithiums in all lights. Does anybody have any opinions or insight into this? Any response would be appreciated!!

If the light (check the packaging or the manufacturer website) does not specifically say to not use Lithium primaries, then it is usually ok to use Lithiums. No warranty implied, so do it at your own risk. I personally use Lithium primaries (and NiMH and Alkalines) in all my lights with no issues.

A rough idea of how batteries compare when in a flashlight:

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/printthread.php?t=155819
 
mostly its when used in direct drive unregulated stuff.

like say for an example, a DD 1W lux light was using three AAA cells, which sag and can barely drive the thing even though its a stated (4.5v) voltage far over the specs of the led. the alkalines would never kill it.
but then you stuff into that 3 fully ready to go Lithium AAA primaries and start running it nonstop. pumping a good 1Amps + into the led.
there are even "modern" lights that would fall under that realm.

or in very poorly regulated stuff, that is already at tight bright specs with the intended alkaline cell.
all the descent manufactures are attempting to list the possibilities for the type of cell the units will use.

there is also a Wiki chart that has some user tested information in it.
when in doubt Burn it out :)

another good example is there was some 3AA long stick led lights , that were poorly regulated, and driving the led just fine when using alkalines (sagging in voltage) and putting lithium in them would have run the led hot, reducing it total life, but still living long enough for people who replace things each week with a new one. it could have reduced the life to about 100-300 hours for the led, IF it was always run that way.

here is another example
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4862
check out the USERS amp testing in reviews, of this REBEL led. bet you stuff a lithium in there and things wont go well.
its already driving pretty hard.

of course THERE you dont see them recommending a 1.7V MAX battery , just a 1.2 or 1.5
 
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