Longest lasting lithium AA and Akaline?

alfred10

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Nov 12, 2009
Messages
33
What are the best longest lasting lithium and alkaline AA's for an emergency survival kit? Will be used in weapon sites and flash lights. Whats the best place to get them online?
 
The best lithium AA for your emergency kit would be the Energizer Ultimate L91.

I won't mention or recommend an alkaline brand for an emergency bag, and I doubt anyone else will either.

Where to get them at a good price? Those batteries tend not to have too much variation in price other than general dealer offers. The best you can do is look around and find an offer here, an offer there, rather than a permanently lower price from one specific place. Often when people do report a good deal on them it is retail on a buy a pack, get a pack free type deal or something similar.
 
This will get more visibility in the batteries section of the forum.

I agree with Nick....Energizer Ultimate (L91) for lithium AA.

I wouldn't put alkaline in a survival kit.
 
Alkaline's can be handy and cheap in an emergency. I keep a small case of each size around for emergencies and when I need the odd battery for remotes, etc. I've had them leak when stored in devices though. I keep Energizer Lithiums in all my AA/AAA lights that don't get used much. For bulk alkalines I usually get Rayovac's since they are usually pretty cheap but for the best I'd get Duracell based on the things I've read. Just don't leave them in anything! :poof:
 
One thing you might want to check to see if your flalshlight(s) take lithium batteries. Lithium L91's are ~1.8V when new. Post brand and model number and other CPF people can tell you if they can take them or not if it doesn't say on the package. I have a dead Energizer flashlight here that was killed by Energizer L91 lithiums. If you stock all lithium batteries and an emergency happens and the extra voltage kills your flashlight(s) then you don't have any light or fewer lights that work then you thought you had. From tests that I have done Duracell Ultras are very good alkaline batteries. One thing that you can do with alkaline batteries for emergencies is to rotate them. When you buy new batteries use the back up ones first and replace them with the new ones you just bought. If you get a package of 36 or 48 batteries. Put them in small ziplock plastic bags (you can get them from Hobby Lobby or Michaels) 2 to a bag and it any leak you only lose a couple batteries instead of many that are coated with the leakage from one in a multi-cell package..
 
I tried some of the Energizer against the Philips Lithium cells and the Philips came out a little bit better in my very un-scientific test. Look up Philips Lithium Ultra on Google.
 
I tried some of the Energizer against the Philips Lithium cells and the Philips came out a little bit better in my very un-scientific test. Look up Philips Lithium Ultra on Google.

Good for you, you have access to other types of 1.8v Lithiums. For us here in the US, we only get the Energizer types.
 
I have never seen an L91 ruin a device and I use them in all kind of devices. They have a nominal 1.5 volts.

Certain model Petzl headlights carried warning labels against using 1.8v Lithiums.

" ... Petzl warns against the use of lithium batteries with this headlamp as doing so might cause the lamp to overheat and damage the LED bulbs."

Found at the bottom here:

http://www.rei.com/product/768981
 
Just a suggestion . . . .


If you DO include Alkaline batteries in your "kits",

simply make sure to store them separately.


Not inside any flashlight, or other device.


Keep 'em in Original Packaging, and you should be fine.
 
Just a suggestion . . . .


If you DO include Alkaline batteries in your "kits",

simply make sure to store them separately.


Not inside any flashlight, or other device.


Keep 'em in Original Packaging, and you should be fine.

+1 vote.

Better yet, leave them inside original packaging then put the whole thing inside ziplock bags.
 

You believe marketing materials?

Yes, it's 1.5v compatible. But 1.8v open circuit. It drops to 1.5v after you start using it, but it it takes a while for it to drop.

It's seen in Chevrofreak's L2D test (on low) where L2D's low for the first 10 minutes and for the next day or so is higher than what it should be due to the higher initial voltage of the L91.

If you read Petzl's warning, it warns of the possibility of overheating due to the higher voltage.
 
Last edited:
Yes I do, I doubt many people know their batteries better than they do. Do you believe Petzl's marketing? They don't make LEDs.

Hahah, you got a point there.

But it's not the LED, it's the boost circuitry in the Petzl.

But yah, no big deal. If you fry your Petzl because you used Lithiums, you just have to buy a new one. Good biz for Petzl. Good for you too since you get to buy a new light ;)
 
Last edited:
But yah, no big deal. If you fry your Petzl because you used Lithiums, you just have to buy a new one. Good biz for Petzl. Good for you too since you get to buy a new light ;)

Well you could use the same reasoning by saying they know alkalines will leak and when they do you will have to buy a new light. ;) If I use a light in cold weather I want L91's in it because of their great cold weather performance. A lot of headlamps are used in cold weather and any manufacturer that makes just warm weather lights is missing the boat.
 
Last edited:
no big deal. If you fry your Petzl because you used Lithiums, you just have to buy a new one
I think most people would prefer not to have something fry while it is attached to their head, so this could be a serious point.

Petzl headlamps are very popular and widely-used by non-flashoholics who know nothing of battery issues, so it is sensible for them to put this warning.

There was a thread a while ago about a recall of Petzl MYO RXP headlamps. I believe it was to do with the size/capacity of the wiring system - some wires melted or blew IIRC. It could have been to do with using lithium cells in the units.

Perhaps other members can remember more about this.
 
Top