Cold Weather Batteries?

[ScubaSnyder]

I work in cold conditions and I have tried many different batteries, primaries seem to last the longest in the cold. Does anyone know of any RCR123 or a 17670 that would last in cold weather, temp is around -10 usually. Currently using the Fenix T1 and on 2xUltrafire 3.6V it last about 30 minutes tops before it shuts off, and I have tried to put it on low mode but still doesnt function.

 

[DM51]

All cells will have reduced performance in cold conditions, but Lithium primaries will do better than other types.

Different manufacturers specify different operating temperature ranges. Li-Ion cells should continue to operate down to -20°C, but do not expect them to work as well as they do at room temperature.

Li-Ion cells should be charged to a maximum of 4.1V (not 4.2V) for use in cold temperatures.

 

[Marduke]

Lithium primaries have no liquid electrolyte to freeze, where Li-Ion does.

 

[ScubaSnyder]

Thanks for the help, I am going to order some different batteries before Christmas, hopefully they work out better.

 

[Lightingguy321]

lithium primaries for cold weather, most rechargeable (i mean all) chemistries hate cold weather (go back to 11th or 10 th grade chemistry class, the lower the temperature the slower the reaction rate).

 

[MorePower]

Lithium primaries have no liquid electrolyte to freeze, where Li-Ion does.

Lithium primary cells (CR123, for example) have liquid electrolyte in them. It contains both propylene carbonate (freezes at -55C) and dimethoxyethane (freezes at -58C).

 

[SilverFox]

For those of us who are Celsius challenged... that's around -70 Fahrenheit. If you are going out in those conditions, I would recommend a candle...

Tom

 

[Marduke]

Lithium primary cells (CR123, for example) have liquid electrolyte in them. It contains both propylene carbonate (freezes at -55C) and dimethoxyethane (freezes at -58C).

Which is why they are rated for -40C, which is MUCH lower than any other chemistry.

 

[MorePower]

Which is why they are rated for -40C, which is MUCH lower than any other chemistry.

I was just pointing out that lithium primary cells do, in fact, contain liquid electrolyte.

 

[dealgrabber2002]

For those of us who are Celsius challenged... that's around -70 Fahrenheit. If you are going out in those conditions, I would recommend a candle...

Tom

hahahaha... only if he is indoor... u are indoor right???

 

[Rzr800]

It appears as if the Eneloops don't like to be discharged below 23F (122F max.) or stored under -4F (86F max.).

 

[DM51]

Which is why they are rated for -40C, which is MUCH lower than any other chemistry.

As a matter of interest, -40°C is the same as -40°F. It is the only figure at which the 2 scales coincide.

Speaking from experience, -40 (C and F) is an unpleasant temperature, at which many things tend to cease working normally, electronic items among them. Any subsequent thawing out to room temperature must be done extremely carefully, to avoid serious damage from condensation.

 

[dave43]

It appears as if the Eneloops don't like to be discharged below 23F (122F max.) or stored under -4F (86F max.).

I read somewhere that it is good to store eneloops cold but how is the performance in cold weather? I just got a Rayovac 1w headlamp to use for ice fishing which can be 0F to 32F and i need a good AA that can hold up to cold weather.

 

[Illum]

if primaries won't work I dunno what well, only thing else is Li-Po that uses a polymer electrolyte...

 

[ltiu]

For example:

http://www.rei.com/product/765839?vcat=REI_SSHP_CAMPING_TOC

" ... Design transfers heat back into batteries for longer burn time and improved cold-weather use ... "

Just wondering if the flashlight you are using has this feature where it transfers heat back to the battery to extract more juice from it. Then you should be able to get the max power out of a single set of batteries.

This will only work if you can start things up in the first place and if the amount of heat generated is greater than the amount of heat being dissipated from the light in really cold weather.

Would putting the flashlight against the skin of your body help in heating the batteries to their operating temperature just before use to get things kick started?

 

[SilverFox]

If I may add a data point to this discussion.

I just spent a couple of weeks working in 8 - 14 F weather. My NiMh battery packs had no problems with these temperatures at all.

Tom

 

[dave43]

If I may add a data point to this discussion.

I just spent a couple of weeks working in 8 - 14 F weather. My NiMh battery packs had no problems with these temperatures at all.

Tom

So any nimh won't be affected much by cold weather?

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Dave,

I am sure they were affected, but not enough to notice in normal operation. I was using my lights during inspections. Had I done some complete run times, I most likely would have seen them reduced, however, in normal operation, the cold was not a factor.

Tom

 

[dave43]

http://www.master-instruments.com.au/page/eneloop_launch.html

I guess there marketing it for cold weather.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Dave,

"Cool..."

Tom