Battery Recommendation

[MJCfromCT]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for some recommendations for AA and AAA-sized Lithium rechargeables. I've got some good NiMH batteries, but their cold weather performance isn't that great... Anyone have any favorite brands? I'll be using these to power a NovaLasers X25 (uses AAA-sized batteries), and a Fenix L2D Q5 flashlight (uses AA-sized batteries).

Also, does anyone have any particular websites they recommend for buying batteries and battery chargers? Ideally, i'm looking for a great set of AAA and AA lithium rechargeables and a decent lithium ion battery charger. Thanks in advance.

 

[Rzr800]

I don't know of any protected AAA Li-ions so I haven't went that route with the rechargeables. AW's protected 14500's (see Dealer's Corner in the CPF marketplace) with his WF-139 charger cover my higher performance needs in a 2AA light. Non-lithium Eneloops (Circuit City has had good scan-only non-labeled prices of late) in a Maha MH-C9000 (Thomas Distributing) was a suggestion up here that I ran with for both sizes and these are used in most every other device that we have (this basic cell chemistry sold by various manufacturers seems to be one of the best all-around choices right now in a battery). http://www.master-instruments.com.au/page/eneloop_launch.html

Good luck and I'd do a search with the terms you refer to; as this will get you the best recommendations for this fairly general and often talked about category.

 

[Fallingwater]

Keep in mind LiIon cells have a higher voltage that can fry components. Make absolutely sure your laser and flashlight can use LiIon before using them.

 

[Rzr800]

Keep in mind LiIon cells have a higher voltage that can fry components. Make absolutely sure your laser and flashlight can use LiIon before using them.

Thank you, FW for posting this; as it is a good lesson for myself and others in regards to general vs specific recommendations in two different usage categories.

 

[MJCfromCT]

You bring up a good point, and thanks for doing so.

The specs for my laser are as follows:

http://www.novalasers.com/novastore/londonfrog/xseriespecs.html

It states that the operating voltage is 3.0V, so two 1.5V batteries are what I would need for that. Are there no 1.5V AAA LiON's? (new to these )

For the flashlight:

https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_65&products_id=362

Uses two 1.5V AA ( Alkaline, NiMH, Lithium ) batteries

Again, specifying the 1.5V, but it does mention Lithium. Does Lithium != LiON?

 

[kts]

1.5volt lithium is NOT rechargeable.

For you laser you want Energizer lithium 1.5volt primaries, I tried various nimh, duracells,eneloops and others but they just dont do as well as lithiums in lasers.

For your L2D eneloops LSD rechargeables will be a good choice.

 

[Rzr800]

Just wanted to make clear that my earlier comments were based on knowing absolutely nothing in regards to the specs. posted afterwards. I suggest that you disregard my remarks and work with somebody up here that is much more knowledgeable as to what you may require.

 

[MJCfromCT]

No worries, Rzr800, but thanks for posting your thoughts anyways.

Thanks for the further clarification, kts. I think I will just pick up some Energizer Lithiums for the laser and those eneloops for the L2D.

 

[Fallingwater]

If you're handy with a soldering iron, consider getting the laser out of the AAA housing and powering it with two AAs, or even C or Ds if you don't have space or weight problems. They're much more suited to the kind of current a laser draws than puny AAAs. Keep in mind that better heatsinking is likely to be in order.

 

[MJCfromCT]

You know, I never thought of that! I think my soldering iron skills are up to par, I'd just have to find a suitable housing that had a large enough diameter to accommodate larger batteries.

 

[Fallingwater]

You should also give better heatsinking to your laser diode. When powered by AAA cells high power diodes invariably have lower output than they're supposed to. Powering one with beefier cells will allow it to be at full power all the time, but that means it'll also generate more heat all the time.