Lithium AA suitability

[Aloft]

Does anyone know about the compatibility of Lithium AA cells vs plain old alkalines? I've got a Streamlight 3AA Luxeon and 4AA Propolymer LED, as well as a UK 4AA eLed. I was hoping to keep one of them in my car's glove box, and I thought Lithiums would be more resistant to the heat (or cold) and not spring a leak as easily as the alkalines. I've ruined several Maglites that way, though the battery company always made good on a replacement.

But Streamlight told me via email that using any batteries other than those recommended (i.e., alkalines) may "damage the flashlight and will void the warranty"! UK was more encouraging. . .they said that using Lithiums was ok, but the hazardous area or explosive rating of the light was not guaranteed with anything other than the "tested" batteries" (alkalines). Any help would be appreciated, as ruining Maglites is one thing, but ruining my new LED toys is quite another!

By the way, I'm a new poster (this is my first), and I appreciate the willingness of everyone to share their experiences with various lights and accessories. As a confirmed gadget freak, finding this forum is going to cost me a lot of money, and I blame each and every one of you (just kidding of course)!!

 

[Phaserburn]

Welcome, Aloft. I think you'll find each light is different when it comes to Leds and lithium cells. Some can deal, some can't. The extra voltage and current from the lithiums is enough to ruin some applications. Best bet is to do what you did; check with the manufacturer. In many cases, CPF has already tried lithium cells with whichever light you're contemplating, so a quick search should get you the answer from our collective experience.

The eLed should be ok, as it's regulated. I've read about issues if using lithiums with the Propoly, and can't say about the 3AA lux.

 

[juancho]

I have Lithium Energizer AA in my car's lights a UK 4AA E LED and a P.T. 40 with no issues so far.
The one to avoid ussing Lithium is the Princeton Tec Surge as is in my opinion already overdriven with regulars alkalines, it will promtly blow a bulb with the Lithium.
Welcome to CPF, may your journey here be full of light.

Juan C.

 

[Aloft]

Thanks for the warm (bright?) welcome guys. I appreciate the info. Phaserburn, I never thought about the regulation issue. As I said, UK seemed ok with it (as long as the light isn't used in hazardous areas. . .no problems there!). I'm virtually certain the LED Tasklight 3AA Luxeon is NOT regulated, and I know the Propolymer 4AA isn't.

Juancho. . .great news, that's my light, so I think I'll give it a try. Hey, I can always buy more lights. To paraphrase some famous guy (Sandburg maybe?), "whenever I have money, I buy more flashlights. With whatever is leftover, I buy food and shelter", or something like that!

Now, is my theory correct that the Lithiums are less likely to spring a leak in the car's glove box? It can get pretty hot in there, but not 140c.

 

[JohnK]

Lithiums will hold up better to temperature extremes, and hold their charge a very long time.

I ran a set of AA Lithiums in my SL 3AA LED. It seemed a bit brighter, and didn't go "poof" anyway.

The 4AA SL 7LED, no, even the latest versions are pretty well over driven.

 

[Hoghead]

You might use 3 lithium batteries and 1 dummy cell in the SL 4AA 7LED. Milkyspit was doing that with success.

 

[kitelights]

What Hoghead said for the applications that are already overdriven like the SLs. The UK is underdriven, so no problems there and engineering has already said OK.

The seals on the lithiums are much better than on the alkalines which is the main reason they hold up so well in temperature extremes. I've yet to hear of leaking with lithiums, but if there is a problem, send it back to Energizer. They'll also give you power in extremely cold temperatures that alkalines just aren't capable of.

 

[Aloft]

Thanks Kitelights, I think I'll "Lithium Up" my UK 4AA eLed, for my wife's glove box. It will be nice to not be surpised by a corroded, sour smelling inside when I change the batteries in a year or so. I guess my Streamlights will have to be used around the house. . .Oh well, a great excuse to buy another cool flashlight for my car!