Temperature & Batteries ?

[wfturnerm4]

I have two LED flashlights that are kept in my two vehicles. I have always wondered if it was smarter to have the lights filled with either primary CR123 or 18650 batteries.
Does cold affect both batteries is a similar way, i.e. standing discharge ?
Or, is there a preferred battery to use for long periods on non use and cold temperatures
Thanks

 

[RI Chevy]

CR123's are much safer to use for that situation. I would not leave an 18650 in heat locked inside a vehicle. Go with the CR123's.

 

[SemiMan]

I have two LED flashlights that are kept in my two vehicles. I have always wondered if it was smarter to have the lights filled with either primary CR123 or 18650 batteries.
Does cold affect both batteries is a similar way, i.e. standing discharge ?
Or, is there a preferred battery to use for long periods on non use and cold temperatures
Thanks

The worst thing you can do to a cobalt electrode lithium ion is to leave it fully charged in a warm place. With no discharge you will lose over 20% of the capacity per year.

Semiman

 

[wfturnerm4]

Thanks for the replies. My garage never has a heat problem, so I am not too concerned by that issue.
I was more interested in the effects of cold.

 

[archimedes]

Thanks for the replies. My garage at night never has a heat problem, so I am not too concerned by that.
I was more interested in the effects of cold.

In general, it appears that top-quality branded lithium CR123a primaries are often rated for use down to -40C, while similar Li-Ion 18650 rechargeables may be rated only down to -20C (although extended storage of either may only be rated down to 0 to 10C).

Most batteries will have increased resistance, decreased voltage, and (much) lower effective capacity when discharged at lower temperatures.

Lithium primaries are generally considered to have the best temperature tolerance for most purposes, of the commonly available battery chemistries.

If you anticipate possible temperature extremes, it may be wise to check the specification sheet of the particular batteries you are considering for use.

 

[wfturnerm4]

archimedes- BINGO, Thanks

 

[Battery Guy]

For flashlights left in the car, I recommend the following:

1.) emergency/infrequent use: Energizer lithium AA/AAA (outside of North America you can also find Duracell and Philips versions of these cells). CR123 are ok in the car for emergency applications, but be sure to get high quality ones. Whatever you use for your emergency light, replace the cells annually and use the old cells in other devices around the house.

2.) frequent use: Eneloops or your favorite, high quality, LSD NiMH cells

I advise against lithium-ion for flashlights kept in the car because high temperatures in the summer will degrade them significantly, and they don't tend to perform as well at low temperatures.

Cheers,
BG

 

[wfturnerm4]

Thanks again.
I use two Olight M21's in the two vehicles and currently use Surefire CR123's.
The car doesn't get driven in the winter and can sit for a month or two (I use a smart charger for the car battery)
The garage can get to low 30's and didn't want my 18650 batteries discharging or going dead in the cold
I was never straight on which had a better discharge rate of the two.