Which battery type for general household use?
- Thread starter Napalm
- Start date
I don't like the idea of having my 18650s floating around the house. All of the general use lights in the house use AA/AAA Duraloops. In fact, everything in the house that uses a AA or AAA is using Duraloops. I have a few D cell lights that have Duracell alkalines only because I haven't purchased AA to D adapters yet!
rmteo
Flashlight Enthusiast
For lights, all I use are LiIons (unprotected RCR123 and 18650). NiMH (AA and AAA) are only used in stuff that cannot take LiIon - such TV remote, wireless mouse, etc. Of course, all modern consumer electronic devices run on LiIon (laptops, older camcorder) or LiPO (cell phone, tablet, digicam) exclusively.
I guess the rechargeables would go in the second as they're mostly LiCo. The only controversial item would be the Energizer L91 primaries. I have no idea how to properly classify them so feel free to decide yourself.
Nap.
Hamaremon
Newly Enlightened
I'm probably rehashing what others have said, but I completely agree with EASTWOOD in that, I don't like to have my 18650s scattered in around the house in random places due to safety concerns. From a practical point of view, I would have to say I believe NiMH AA or AAA are most suitable for household use lights, since while at home they are readily chargeable and reusable, and can be used in other household applications if needed. Li-ion and Lithium primaries (including L91s) have higher voltage than normal alkalines or Ni-MH, and can potentially damage other appliances,
so their use might be limited to flashlights, restricting your flexibility.
so their use might be limited to flashlights, restricting your flexibility.
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Ian2381
Enlightened
I have lights powered by 3xAA, 2xD around the house and several 1xAA, 2xAA, 3xAA and 3xAAA in one of my shelf, ready to use in case of power outage. Yes also for safety reasons.
The question seems a little odd to me, what general household item even uses an 18650?
Norm
The choice for me, is to be alkaline free
I have pre-loaded all the remote controls with Energizer Advanced EA91's, just in case scavenging is necessary.
Plus it makes them lighter, so the are less apt to break if you toss the remote.
I have pre-loaded all the remote controls with Energizer Advanced EA91's, just in case scavenging is necessary.
Plus it makes them lighter, so the are less apt to break if you toss the remote.
Since the forum section name where this is being posted is "Flashlights Electronics - Batteries Included" my intention was to discuss flashlights - the "general household" type, i.e. not those designed for specialized use like weapon mounted, diving, military, SAR etc.
Nap.
I think the biggest issue is when you talk general household use that includes ALL members of a household which means wife, kids, even relatives and friends that frequent your house. This would probably push the lithium ion based lights off the usage list and perhaps the 2x123 cell lights also maybe even some nimh rechargeable lights that don't use AA/AAAs. I could see lithium primaries in single 123s AA/AAAs and AA/AAA nimh using smart chargers these can be managed without drastic indoctrination and/or supervision.
My house? Alkaline AA/AAA. NiMh available as well for those inclined to use the charger. I ensure they're obvious rechargeables: white eneloops look vastly different than any 'ol alkaline. Yet for Gramps or Curious Cousin Carl fumbling in a drawer, chances are he'll find alkaline.
robostudent5000
Enlightened
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2011
- Messages
- 877
well, i guess this thread was supposed to be just about flashlights, but even for other, general uses, i think i actually use Lithium more than any other battery chemistry. i have 18650's in my laptop and other Li-ions in my cell phone, my cameras, my PS3 controllers, my bluetooth headset, and my power tools. i have lithium primaries in my smoke detectors and wrist watches. the only alkalines i have are in the TV remote control. i have LSD Nimh's in my bluetooth mouse. but every other battery powered device in my home runs on lithiums.
45/70
Flashlight Enthusiast
I could not vote because I use all of the types mentioned, with the exception of alkaline cells. I have no alkaline powered lights, and only a few button cell devices that run on alkaline cells. At the moment however, there are also two wall clocks running on a single alkaline AA cell each. This is because the cells were included with a camera device I purchased. Normally, there are no AAA, AA, C, D, or 9 Volt alkalines present. Usually, when I receive alkaline cells along with a product, I give the cells away, preferably to someone I don't particularly care for.:devil:
In the early 1980's I began to use NiCd cells. Noting their superior performance (but unfortunately at the time, not capacity, eg. an AA NiCd cell back then was ~400mAh), by the mid 80's I was better than 50% NiCd. Nowadays, alkalines are a rarity around my house, NiCd cells have been replaced with NiMh, NiZn, lithium primary, and Lithium ion cells, and my home is pretty much "alkaline free", with the few exceptions I mentioned. I will also note that I am 90%+ rechargeable. The only lithium primary cells I have are a dozen or so L91 and L92 cells for emergency use, the light stored in my car is a single CR123A, and again, as with the alkaline button cells, there are a few 3 Volt lithium primary button cell devices around.
Dave
In the early 1980's I began to use NiCd cells. Noting their superior performance (but unfortunately at the time, not capacity, eg. an AA NiCd cell back then was ~400mAh), by the mid 80's I was better than 50% NiCd. Nowadays, alkalines are a rarity around my house, NiCd cells have been replaced with NiMh, NiZn, lithium primary, and Lithium ion cells, and my home is pretty much "alkaline free", with the few exceptions I mentioned. I will also note that I am 90%+ rechargeable. The only lithium primary cells I have are a dozen or so L91 and L92 cells for emergency use, the light stored in my car is a single CR123A, and again, as with the alkaline button cells, there are a few 3 Volt lithium primary button cell devices around.
Dave
I think Napalm is asking what the most common chemistry is for general household flashlight use. Not the most common type of battery in your house. Obviously, Li-Ion is very common in most homes when you consider the types of devices that use them: laptops, cell phones, portable gaming devices, etc.
45/70
Flashlight Enthusiast
Yeah, I understand that, but in my case anyway, my answer is the same. The most common chemistry for lights used inside and for looking out in the yard, or pasture, is pretty evenly split between NiMh and Li-Ion lights. Inside specifically, or for short range, the primary lights used are single cell AA NiMh and RCR123, or 14500 Li-Ion sizes. Outside at farther ranges, the split is probably more uneven, with the multiple cell RCR123 and both single and multiple cell 18650 Li-Ion lights being favored over the 4D NiMh SSC P7 M@g, most of the time.
Dave
