Lithium use

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I'm anxiously waiting for delivery of my Reactor, with present owners recommending lithium batteries
(also coming with my order).

When is it safe, advisable, or a waste of money to use lithiums in the following lights I own:

1. Arc AAA LE

2. Lightwave 4000 and 3000

3. PT Surge

4. PT Impact

 

[rycen]

lithiums AAA C and D are not avai.If you use in the surge you will blow the bulb due to overpowering.

 

[PJD]

I tried lithium AA's in my PT Impact when I first got it, but replaced them with alkalines after the first couple times I used it. Brightness increase with lithiums in the Impact is hardly noticeable, and battery life with alkalines is already outstanding. IMHO, useing lithiums in the Impact would be a waste of money. And as rycen stated, useing lithiums in the Surge will blow the bulb. The Surge BLAZES with alkalines anyway, and battery life is outstanding!

PJD

...there is nothing in the world more frustrating than a lousy beam...

 

[Bob Snow]

The weight savings in a Surge would be great along with the cold weather (glovebox) performance, but alas the bulb can't take the added power due to the higher voltage of the cells. Cost would also be formidable.

 

[Brock]

I would bet the surge would run pretty well with 4 lithium’s. My guess would be very close to the same output as 8 alkalines. The runtime would be less, but it would weigh a LOT less.

 

[rigormootis]

I have seen lithium Ds befor4e...but they were very pricy. I use lithium AAs in my Infinities and Matrix Headlamp.

 

[geepondy]

The lithium D's are 3 volts, not 1.5, aren't they? I ignorantly at the time, put lithium AA's in my Streamlight PolyPro 4AA light. The bulb blew after less then one hour of use.

 

[Doug S]

Originally posted by geepondy:
The lithium D's are 3 volts, not 1.5, aren't they? I ignorantly at the time, put lithium AA's in my Streamlight PolyPro 4AA light. The bulb blew after less then one hour of use.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">They come is several chemistries and thus several voltages. The ones that you are most likely to encounter as a consumer item are LiSO2 chemistry. These have a Voc=3.02 and loaded in the range of 2.9-2.6V depending on load. 7.5 to 8 Ahr capacity, extremely flat discharge curve, great low temp performance. Short circuit current over 50A but the consumer versions usually have an internal 2A fuse. Even a momentary short and its a paperweight. About $15-20 each retail. Very popular with the dog sledders in Alaska due to low temp performance.