Lithiums in low-drain devices?

[etc]

I have seen it stated that Lithium L91 should not be used in low-drain devices, such as CMG Infinity 1xAA lite, for example.

Supposedly the runtime will not be better than alkaline.

Why is that?

 

[Kestrel]

I have some doubts about this, a co-worker has tried both in a 2-cell low-drain 24/7 item that drains alkalines in a month, he's just tried the Energizer lithiums and has just gotten over 3 months of usage. So he's impressed.

 

[etc]

Well, this is good to hear.

 

[StarHalo]

It's been argued that lithiums have no advantage in low-drain devices, but the more I look at the numbers, I'm not seeing it. The evidence is pretty clear that a lithium will have better runtime, output, and self-regulation in *any* device.

 

[Illum]

Some consumer devices take advantage of the alkalines high internal resistance which render any design, including those that can, may, or will create a short during the beginning, continuing, or end of the products life safe to be made and distributed....now a currently recalled petzl headlamps had this problem. Alkalines, when shorted will heat up, leak, or fizz and emit loads of hydrogen...generally a bad side effect to the material integrity of the electronic housing the batteries...but if a lithium shorted...well:poof:

I'm inclined to think that the warning originated from such devices that works fine using alkalines, but may be a hazard in using anything that has a bigger capacity...while not expressly saying it will.

 

[ltiu]

I use 2xAA L91 in my Casio bedside digital alarm clock. I swear it lasts longer. Been in there for 2.5 years and still going. Alkalines I remember lasted about 1.5 years before the night light on the clock start dimming.

 

[mdocod]

Lithium' will last longer in just about any application, but you have to determine if they last ENOUGH longer to be worth the added cost.

You can buy Rayovac AA cells for around or less than $0.50 ea at most places in a medium to large size package. Energizer lithium AA's run about $2.50 ea most of the time....

In a slow-drain device, I'd say that the lithium needs to last almost 5 times as long to be worth it on paper.... However, in those slow drain applications, lithium primary cells generally last anywhere from a similar amount of time, to 1.5-2X the alkaline.

In fast drain devices portable electronics, sometimes you really do get 5 times the runtime, and more steady output, and less weight, etc etc, so they can easily be justified.

 

[jayflash]

Another Li cell advantage is they rarely leak and if they do, no damage is done to the electrical contacts or housings. If your device is expensive or inconvenient to replace, lithium cells may be worthwhile for that reason alone.