Propensity to leak: AA versus CR123 lights

[pilou]

The typical advantages often mentioned for the two types of cells for small lights are:

- CR123: more power, lighter
- AA: easier to find and less expensive

But should one add probability of leakage as a factor in choosing one cell type over the other? It seems like under extreme conditions, such as flashlights left in the glove boxes of cars baking under the sun, AAs are far more likely to leak and ruin a light. Even under moderately taxing conditions, it seems like AAs are far more likely to leak than CR123s. Aside from the "ruining the light" aspect, a leak also means your light has let you down.

What are your thoughts on AAs verus CR123s?

 

[phantom23]

CR123 may explode over 80 Celsius degrees. There's sometimes over 110 in a car (under the sun).

 

[youreacrab]

CR123 may explode over 80 Celsius degrees. There's sometimes over 110 in a car (under the sun).

surely you don't mean 110 degrees Celsius in a car.

 

[phantom23]

Black dashboard can reach over 120.

EDIT. Black BMW dash temperature. End of the scale is 185F, you can see it wold go higher at 14:00 (2:00pm) and 15:00 (3:00pm) o'clock.

 

[orcinus]

Ermph... You really REALLY wouldn't want a CR123 to leak
Finely dispersed lithium + air = kablooey!

 

[youreacrab]

well i live in Austin and its pretty dern hot here... but i don't think the ambient temperature in a car is quite hot enough to boil water. you said 80 degrees Celsius, that is 176 Fahrenheit. i don't think a person could get into a car where the ambient temperature is 176.

 

[Marduke]

Use L91's in AA lights. Completely superior to CR123's in every way. More power, better shelf life, cheaper, works in things other than flashlights....

 

[stitch_paradox]

The only advantage of AA from CR123 that I can see is versatility. AAs can be used widely with more electronic gadgets, where as CR123s are limited to lights and some cameras only. Almost of all my camping, edc, emergency electronics are using AAs.

 

[m16a]

Use L91's in AA lights. Completely superior to CR123's in every way. More power, better shelf life, cheaper, works in things other than flashlights....

Whats an L91?

 

[xcel730]

Whats an L91?

L91 is Energizer's AA Primary Lithium battery (1.7v)
L92 is Energizer's AAA Primary Lithium battery (1.7v)

 

[amanichen]

AA:

-Alkalines can leak simply due to age, but are typically not dangerous when they fail.
-NiMH are much more stable, generally only fail if mishandled, and are typically not dangerous when they fail.
-Lithium chemistry is generally stable.

123s:

when handled and used properly don't leak, but when mishandled or misused they become very dangerous in, or outside of a light.

I use NiMH AA/AAA in all my lights.

 

[MorePower]

Ermph... You really REALLY wouldn't want a CR123 to leak
Finely dispersed lithium + air = kablooey!

Lithium in a CR123 isn't finely dispersed, it's a thin foil.

 

[yaesumofo]

Except size. Superior in many ways. The other thing is that if the thing you are using the Lithium AA in is voltage sensitive. You could have problems.
It is important to check this before using these. The more cells the more potiential for problems.
Yaesumofo

Use L91's in AA lights. Completely superior to CR123's in every way. More power, better shelf life, cheaper, works in things other than flashlights....

 

[pilou]

Sometimes the choice of cell type has to be made even for nearly identical lights. Examples include Lumapower LM31 (AA) versus LM33 (CR123), or the newly announced NiteCore EX10 (CR123) versus D10 (AA).

 

[Alexi*]

When you ad 14500 to the mix you have a AA light whit CR123A power.

 

[stitch_paradox]

The typical advantages often mentioned for the two types of cells for small lights are:

- CR123: more power, lighter
- AA: easier to find and less expensive

But should one add probability of leakage as a factor in choosing one cell type over the other? It seems like under extreme conditions, such as flashlights left in the glove boxes of cars baking under the sun, AAs are far more likely to leak and ruin a light. Even under moderately taxing conditions, it seems like AAs are far more likely to leak than CR123s. Aside from the "ruining the light" aspect, a leak also means your light has let you down.

What are your thoughts on AAs verus CR123s?

I think AA leaks more then CR123 because its alkaline. I always have trouble with leaking alkaline batteries (no matter what size) when left inside a vehicle for along time. I have spare L91 AA for emergency in my vehicle right now and no leaks yet.

 

[eprom]

+1 for L91

Stable, No leaks, High capacity, Holds voltage very well under heavy load, Long Shelf Life...

 

[glockboy]

Eneloops AA pass the car test.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=200591

 

[Lit Up]

The typical advantages often mentioned for the two types of cells for small lights are:

- CR123: more power, lighter
- AA: easier to find and less expensive

But should one add probability of leakage as a factor in choosing one cell type over the other? It seems like under extreme conditions, such as flashlights left in the glove boxes of cars baking under the sun, AAs are far more likely to leak and ruin a light. Even under moderately taxing conditions, it seems like AAs are far more likely to leak than CR123s. Aside from the "ruining the light" aspect, a leak also means your light has let you down.

What are your thoughts on AAs verus CR123s?

AA leak may ruin my light, but if CR123 'leaks' it can ruin the house, car, etc...

 

[orcinus]

Lithium in a CR123 isn't finely dispersed, it's a thin foil.

Oh. Didn't know that...
They should be safe (fire-hazard-wise) if punctured, then. Unless subjected to heat, 'fcourse.