[pct-l] Lithium Batteries

[Vincent Rupp]

I think the difference is lithium (AA) vs. lithium ion (cell phone). Iif I
recall college physics correctly, ions are some sort of magic.

How long a battery lasts relates to both how the device sucks the power and
the total energy jammed into the battery.

Standard alkaline batteries aren't 1.5V for long. I tried using some in my
digital camera - got about 60 photos out of it. Then tested the batteries
with a multimeter and the voltage was still around 1.3 each. Guess it just
doesn't work at that voltage, but most electronic devices perform fine
within a range. A light just gets dimmer as the battery weakens. I think
that's why the Nimh are 1.2V - doesn't much matter for most electronics.
Energizer's lithium AA runs about $9 at Target; I think those stay at a much
higher voltage until they die. Supposedly, my camera will take over 1,000
photos (without the flash) on a set of these.
When I was battery shopping, I ran across this discussion by an engineer on
the relative merits of types of batteries (first customer review)
http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-L91BP-4-Lithium-Batteries-4-Pack/dp/B00003IEME/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238296513&sr=8-1


On Sat, Mar 28, 2009 at 7:46 PM, kcristler <kerouc at verizon.net> wrote:

> bulk and trekker,
>    I can't believe how tunnel visioned i am sometimes. I thought lithiums
> were rechargeable because my lithium camera battery is rechargeable. This
> is
> interesting. Lithiums appear to supercede alkalines in the throw away
> battery class. Hikers use lithiums to avoid the hassle of recharging NimH
> batteries, i guess. But rechargeables would be much cheaper in the long
> run,
> correct? One quibble. 1.2 V is not equivalent to 1.5 V. That is probably
> why
> lithiums last twice as long as NimH. Thanks for the beta. I needed it in my
> dulled state.
>                    Kerry
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "The Incredible Bulk" <taterno at cox.net>
> To: <kerouc at verizon.net>; <pct-l at backcountry.net>; <Trekker4 at aol.com>
> Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2009 6:20 PM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Steri pen water purification
>
>
> >I have never seen rechargeable lithium batteries in the AA form factor,
> but
> >that is not to say that this is not a new battery.  My advise is to read
> >the package label carefully.  If rechargeable is not indicated on the
> >label, do not attempt to charge these batteries.  Lithium batteries have
> >been known to explode if mishandled, and I have seen it first hand when I
> >used to use them for RC car racing.
> >
> > Tom KI6ASP
> > The Incredible Bulk
> > pctaddict.blogspot.com
> >
> >
> > ---- Trekker4 at aol.com wrote:
> >
> > =============
> > No, the only lithium's I know of are not  rechargable, definitely not if
> > they're the blue and silver ones from Eveready.  Regardless, an AA is an
> > AA; good
> > question, but the voltage is equivalent.
> >    Buy your Eveready Lithiums at Sam's, $20 for 12 - a  lot less than $10
> > for 4. They have a shelf life of 15 years, and last 7 times as  long.
> >
> >
> > In a message dated 3/28/2009 5:20:31 P.M. Central Daylight Time,
> > kerouc at verizon.net writes:
> >
> > I just  bought a 4 PACK of lithium AA at Wal Mart for $10. Now I 'm
> > wondering
> >
> > about charging them. I have a AA NimH charger, but I notice they are 1.2
> > volts and the lithiums are 1.5 V. Do I need a new charger for the
> > lithiums?
> > If so, where to buy one?
> > Kerry
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Charles W.  Davidson" <chaseat99 at gmail.com>
> > To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>;  "atl atl" <AT-L at backcountry.net>
> > Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 7:59  AM
> > Subject: [pct-l] Steri pen water purification
> >
> >
> >> Hi  Gang,
> >>            I just got back from a  6 day hike. I tested out my new
> >> Classic model Steri Pen that I  purchased at REI. I sent the faulty
> >> Journey model steri pen back to  Nitro-Pak for refund. They said that
> >> they found nothing wrong with it  so I ended up paying shipping
> including
> >> the initial free shipping. The  gadget worked periodically ( I just
> >> retired from 36 years at Corning  where I repaired electronic
> >> instruments). Counting shipping and all  cr123 batteries I purchased
> >> testing the thing it cost me a bit. I  should have gone to REI in the
> >> first place and I will not use the  other site again.
> >>    But now I am happy with the Classic  model Steri-Pen. It uses AA
> >> batteries and will clean twice as much or  ~ 100 liters of water on 4
> >> lithium AA's. I get an 8 pack Lith AA at  Walmart for <$10. which is the
> >> same cost as 2CR123's. It seemed a  bit odd purifying the same water
> >> sources that I have drank from for  many years. However it is so easy
> and
> >> quick that I really did not mind  the 90 second wait for each liter. The
> >> device worked will with  standard size small neck soda bottles or large
> >> mouth (my preference).  Large mouth do not freeze up as fast as the
> small
> >> ones. Both store  better upside down in cold weather because freezing
> >> starts in the air  gap on top.
> >>
> >> Chase
> >> Photo's and video of my hike  @
> >>
> >> My Journal http://postholer.com/chaseat99
> >>
> >>  _______________________________________________
> >> Pct-l mailing  list
> >> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> >>  http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> >>
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> > **************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store?  Make meals for
> > Under
> > $10. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000002)
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> > --
> > Tom
> > The Incredible Bulk
> > pctaddict.blogspot.com
> >
> >
>
>
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