Lithium Batteries and Hot Cars

Chrontius

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 11, 2007
Messages
2,150
Location
Orlando, FL
I live in Florida, and while I carry at least one flashlight daily, I have yet to add a light to my car. Here's the problem - lithium fires do happen. In Florida, closed cars get searing hot in summer. Lithium cells don't like extreme heat.

Would it be safe to leave a 123a flashlight in a car parked in the sun? With a black roof? Should I use NiMH or Eneloop or alkaline instead?
 
Well I live in Hawaii and it gets very hot and humid here; probably the same as Florida. I've had 123's in my cars for years with no problems. Car interiors here reach well over 100 degrees so I doubt you will ever have any problems.
 
A lithium primary is the best solution in a car. Store it low in the car. Any other battery type is sure to self discharge or leak by the time you need it.
 
Why low in the car, and how much does that matter? Would a glove box be safe? Seems like it'd heat up slower than the passenger area, if the dash shields the door from direct sun (mine does, with an airbag in the way).
 
The best place to put anything to keep it cool is under the seat.
In a glove box or console is the worst place.
 
I was going to post a similar question about whether to use LSD NiMh or alkaline cells for a flashlight for the car. Now I know...thanks Marduke.

Here's my swag on why low in the car, probably simply because heat rises. But since a closed car is pretty much a dry sauna in the summertime, that's probably wrong ;)
 
The difference between storing something on the floor and in the glovebox or on a seat can can be 20, 30, or more degrees.
 

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