Powerizer or GI Lithium AA Batteries Do They Perform

[GCBStokes]

http://www.batteriesandbutter.com/page/bb/CTGY/listd&sr=googleli?gclid=CIvGp7bwiYoCFRM4UAodbi_LdA

GI Lithium AA Batteries from Batteriesandbutter.com.

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1506

Powerizer Lithium AA Batteries from Batteryspace.com

After getting my new Princeton Tec Apex the other day last night was the first night I took it to work in the field. I was working with Owls again, at night and it was very cold! I had stop into my local CVS and got a 4 pack of Energizer Lithium AA to use in my headlight. We started at about 10:30 PM and didn't finish until about 3:00 AM. Well, it got down to 17 degrees F by 1:30 AM, so I think it was wise getting the Lithium Cells. Others I worked with were using Streamlight Argo HP's with CR123A Lithium Cells and all went well.

After buying the Energizer Lithium AA's last night, "Oh, man my wallet!" It wasn't that bad, but buying larger amounts would really hurt. So, I started looking on the Internet to see what I could fine. I found the GI Lithium AA's for $1.00 each if you buy 40 or more at batteriesandbutter.com. And I also found the Powerizer Lithium AA's 20 pcs for $29.95 at Batteryspace.com

I ordered the 20 Powerizer from Batteryspace.com because I have used the Powerizer CR123A Lithium Batteries from BatteryJunction.com, and I like them a lot. So, I'm hoping I'll be just as happy with the Powerizer Lithium AA's as I was with their CR123A Batteries. I'm was also thinking of getting some of the GI Lithium AA Batteries to try.

Has anyone used these batteries and know how they perform. I plan on using Lithium AA Batteries in the cold months, but Spring, Summer and Fall I'll be using Titanium Ni-MH Rechargeable AA Batteries. I'll have two sets with me, and I'll just have a set or two of Lithiums and/or Alkaline AA Batteries for back up.

 

[MattK]

Don't know if you've seen this but we have a killer deal on lithium AA's LINK

 

[GCBStokes]

MattK,

No I haven't seen that and it seems to be a great deal. Thank you very much. Are these a good battery? I'm a BatteryJunction.com customer! My research team and I, get Powerizer CR123A and Tenergy CR123A Lithium Battery from our Flashlights and Headlights from you. Because of your products, we have saved enough money to get new headlights. Over the last few months, I myself have bought 150 of your Tenergy CR123A Batteries. We use Titanium Brand Batteries, and your Tenergy and Powerizer CR123A and are very happy with them, and they save use a lot of money. In fact over the last year, we have saved enough money switching to these brands from the $2.50 to $5.00 each brands, to get new flashlights (SureFire L1s) and now the Princeton Tec Headlights. We love you!!!

I'll be in touch some time today, if not on Monday. I'll get a few packs of these batteries to try out. Sence I'm a regular customer

 

[MattK]

Thanks for the kind remarks.

Have you ever called in and spoken to me? You sound familiar now with the research and other products...

I've never did any sort of in depth analyzinf of the cells but I've used a bunch myself (i like to use them in AA minimag with TerraLUX led modules). Quality seems to be excellent and they're 1/2 the price of the Energizers.

We're closed today so no emails will be replied to until Monday of course.

I hope you bought those L1's from me.

 

[Coop]

Thats pretty funny... one of the biggest powercompanies here in the netherlands is called Nuon

 

[paulr]

There have been a bunch of comparisons between the Batterystation LAA's (which sound similar to these) and Energizer L92's. Basically the Batterystation cells came in slightly worse (but only slightly) than the L92's, yet were a good value because of their lower cost. If you're spending a lot on batteries and need cold weather performance maybe you should consider lithium ion rechargeables (a type of battery I normally dislike). There are also lights (especially headlamps) with a remote battery pack that you can keep warm in your pocket while the light itself is exposed.

 

[GCBStokes]

MattK,

I'm almost sure I did speek with you. I do need to take with you regarding those AA Lithium Cells. I'll be working with reseacher from outside of my teams and from different states to observe my work on a Barn Owl Nesting Box Program that I started a few years ago. Well all do lots of night work and use CR123A and AA Lithium Cells for Flashlights and our Headlights.

I send an e-mail to your attn though the BatteryJuntion.com web site. I need your contact number to speak with you regarding these AA Lithium batteries. You could send me a private message with your contact number at BatterJuntion.

 

[MattK]

yeah we've spoken - you've got PM

 

[MattK]

yeah we've spoken - you've got PM!

 

[mdocod]

ok.... here's what I would do in your shoes....

My gut tells me that the apex has all 4 cells in series, and since it can handle 4 cells in series of lithium primary type.. then it can probably handle an initial input voltage of around 8V... there is a good chance, that the regulator might be able to even handle the input voltage from 2 li-ion in series (8.4V)... It might be worth calling/emailing Ptec to find out..

then rewire the battery holder so that it runs 2 in series, with 2 pairs in parallel... and run 4 14500 size li-ion cells.... this would be the equivalent of a ~7.4V 1500mah pack... Use protected cells from AW so you don't destroy them with an overdischarge.....

I don't know 100% if this would work, but I think it is worth an investigation. li-ion is an AWSOM chemistry, great for cold, and there is little to no self-discharge (which is why i hate NIMH/NICD)...

ok.... nuff said for now... best of luck!

 

[GCBStokes]

mdocod,

It might be worth calling/emailing Ptec to find out

I checked with Princeton Tec on this and they told me that they could not give me information regarding this, and recommend I do not make the change. And if I did, it would void my warranty.

I have been using 2700 mAh NiMH AA and have been very happy with the runtime and performance. I also have been using L91 Lithium Iron AA Cell when working outdoors at night in the cold. And get great runtime and performance with them also. With the 2700 mAh NiMH AA's, I've been getting just about 3 hrs. 40 minutes of regulated runtime on high. And Lithium Iron AA's I got 4 hrs. 33 minutes of regulated runtime on high in my test. I'll have my lights tested by our tech person and have her do the run-time test on Sunday. But I'm sure that my test will be very close to what she'll come up with.

I'll be using the NiMH Batteries all most all the time. I'm very happy with their performance. I loaded the NiMH Batteries in one of my Apex lights and Lithium Iron AA in my other Apex, then put both on the High 3 Watt Luxeon setting, then put the beams on targets in the back of my yard at 50, 100, and 150 feet. The light with the Lithium AA's was slightly brighter, but just slightly. When I shinned one light on a target at 100 feet, then turn it off before turning the other on and putting it on the same target, none of the 6 people with me could tell what light was loaded with Lithium Cells or what light was load with the NiMH Cells.

However, I would like to try you idea later with an older Apex. But for now, I'll leave things along with the new lights.

Thanks.

 

[mdocod]

i just found a thread where some guys mention using their apex's with 8.4V setups...
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=138090
Might be worth throwing them a PM if you are still interested in going Li-Ion...