Battery Question ?

[varmint]

I have a holographic gunsight (EOTech) that uses AA batteries what would you recommend to use it it, Lithium? Brand? Something with good reports on NO leakage.
I am battery dumb!
Thanks
Larry

 

[czAtlantis]

rechergeable Eneloops - low self discharge, long lifespan, no leakage, rechergeable!

 

[moderator007]

I second the Eneloops. They have no liquid electrolyte so they can not leak. They are the most used AA battery here.

 

[archimedes]

L91's (1.5v AA lithium primary cell) might be preferred, if exposures to extreme temperature may occur during use or storage. These will likely also have even less self-discharge than NiMH-LSD cells, although (of course) would not be rechargeable.

Additionally, you may want to confirm the specifications of the device regarding input voltage, as a NiMH AA is only 1.2 volts, not 1.5v - for many or most devices, but not all, either will work.

Neither NiMH (such as Eneloop) nor lithium cells (such as L91) are likely to leak. As for alkaline batteries, never point one at something you don't intend to destroy 😉

 

[czAtlantis]

moderator007:well they have liquid electrolyte (soaked inside in separator and electrodes etc..) but they are sealed unless tortured with short-circuit or extreme overcharge...in normal operation they can't leak (unlike alkaline which leak very ofter - at least I have very bad experience with alkaline batteries from many brands, they leak when used, when just sitting in box etc...)

 

[samgab]

I also recommend Eneloops:
1: They perform well at low temperatures even as low at -20 degrees C.
See their info here: http://www.eneloop.info/home/performance-details/low-temperature.html
2: Yes, they do still have liquid electrolyte, it's necessary for the chemical reaction:
See their info here: http://www.eneloop.info/home/technology.html
and here: http://www.eneloop.info/fileadmin/EDITORS/ENELOOP/ARTICLES/Teraoka_Article_EN.pdf
but they don't leak... I've never heard a first hand account of a genuine eneloop leaking, even under abusive treatment.

 

[moderator007]

moderator007:well they have liquid electrolyte (soaked inside in separator and electrodes etc..) but they are sealed unless tortured with short-circuit or extreme overcharge...in normal operation they can't leak (unlike alkaline which leak very ofter - at least I have very bad experience with alkaline batteries from many brands, they leak when used, when just sitting in box etc...)

czAtlantis, Look here.

 

[czAtlantis]

yes, i know, I disassembled ni-mh (and ni-cd and sealed lead acid and lithium 🙂...and some button cells) myself so I know what is inside, this is why i wrote "soaked in separator etc" - there is of course no free liquid splashing inside 🙂

EDIT: in fact when you search for ni-mh or ni-cd on wikipedia, the disassembled cells picture is mine 🙂

 

[archimedes]

According to their respective spec sheets:

Eneloop: storage up to one year (-20 C to +30 C), discharge (0 C to +50 C)
L91: storage (-40 C to +60 C), operation (-40 C to +60 C)

Either work well for most purposes, but lithium may be preferred at extreme temperatures.

 

[czAtlantis]

of course lithium is better but you must consider the price. I would choose lithium for expedition on mount Everest or something similar. Otherwise use eneloops

 

[archimedes]

of course lithium is better but you must consider the price. I would choose lithium for expedition on mount Everest or something similar. Otherwise use eneloops

OP didn't specify if these were being used for a mission-critical purpose. I agree that there certainly can be big difference in cost over time between disposable primaries and rechargeable batteries.

 

[czAtlantis]

what prices do you have? I checked now (in czech republic, Europe) that one eneloop costs excatly the same as one energizer lithium AA so if it is not mission-critical and if 1,5/1,2V doesn't matter, I have a winner 🙂

 

[varmint]

THANKS!!! for all the good info, I am a competetive shooter and just use this sight weekly in matches and at home here daily if necessary, I raise cattle and carry this rifle every day, I always carry spare batteries but only needed them 2 times, I think the lithium will do fine, is there any special brand to look for?
Thanks again to all, I love reading all this!
Larry

 

[archimedes]

I believe that L91 is part of the brand-name for Energizer AA LiFeS2 (FR6/15LF) cells, which are what I use.