Energizer e2 Lithium Batteries

[Gadget Guy]

I just tried lithium batteries for the first time and I am amazed! :shocked: The first thing I noticed was how light they are compared to regular akalines. I bought a pack of the AAA Energizer e2 lithium batteries for my Arc-P and also noticed how much brighter it was. I have been living in the dark ages when it comes to batteries. I just have to figure out what items I can use lithium batteries on, as greenLED was telling me to be careful on some flashlight circuits. The only downside that I see so far is the price, ouch! But if the claim that they really last longer is true (7 times longer), then they just might be worth the money. I also like the shelf life on them. My set says use by 2020, not too bad.

[bruner]

I've been tempted to buy some of those too. Nice to hear your reaction :)

Dan

[KiloKeychain]

I like the E2 AA and AAA lithium cells, they are worth the $$ depending on what you use them for.

On my bicycle, I use the E2 AA cells for my 10 LED Cat-eye LD1000 rear flasher and it stays very bright for a long time. The lithiums have a flat discharge curve and the extra voltage keeps the flasher as blindingly bright as when I put the batteries in new. :highfive: Have a single AAA helmet mount LED flasher also, it runs the E2 AAA lithium with the same results. When I go riding in below freezing temperatures, the lithiums keep the lights lit so that is the only battery I will use for something so critical.

Looked at the runtime charts on my Peak Baltic AAA and runtime in regulation was 1:45 on an alkaline and 5 hours on a lithium AAA :D Not 7 times longer but almost a 300% gain. Perfect for a power outage light and the shelf-life is phenominal. If I need the light for longer than 5 hours, I can rob remote controls of their batteries and just keep going.

Great batteries for emergency use, cold weather, long runtimes, lightness and long term storage.

[Lunal_Tic]

I've converted a lot of my lights, incans as well, to them and sometimes the price does cause one to pause but they are the only game in town right now. On a brighter note, Sam's Club has 12 for $20 AAs or AAAs.

-LT

[DSYCUTTER]

I use them in a few of my scanning radios. They do last noticeably longer.

[Gadget Guy]

Wow, that is a great price! I just paid $6 for two AAA's. :-[

[Gadget Guy]

I've been tempted to buy some of those too. Nice to hear your reaction :)

Dan


Thanks Dan! :highfive: Does anyone know what types of gear shouldn't use lithium batteries? Remotes?

[dinoadventures]

I use lithiums in anything that'll take 'em. They ROCK.

[riprater]

I have lithium batteries and love them! For those of us that love winter activities, it is of special note that lithium batteries are NOT recommended for avalanche beacons. (Ironic since lithiums perform better in cold weather than alkalines.) I have heard it comes down to how the beacon detects the amount of charge left in the batteries and it goes from showing almost a full charge to dead in no time...

[luigi]

BatteryStation.com has AA lithium batteries that are cheaper than energizer and perform almost exactly the same.
I bought about 20 a few months back and now I'm running low so I guess I will have to get another batch.
Lithium batteries are also better for cold weather and they have a longer shelf life than alkalines.
Maybe it helps :)

Luigi

[Lunal_Tic]

Luigi, I thought BatteryStation.com had stopped selling those. I know they had for a while but I can't find them now could you give a link?

-LT

[greenLED]

BS does't make them any more. lapolicegear.com still has some in stock, but they only sell them in "bulk" ($50-75 or something like that).

A note of caution, I found 2 reports of these exploding:

Primary lithium battery explodes (http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=121303) (in a cell phone battery charger)
A small lithium battery incident (http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=124552) (in a flashlight)

BS has since stopped making these (whether the explosions and/or other problems stopped production, I cannot say - see Luni's post below).

[Lunal_Tic]

green,

I thought it was 1 incident with the AA product (and a single cell application IIRC) and they never got a clear picture of that one. He was having troubles elsewhere and decided to only fight one battle at a time so he dropped them.

-LT

[Stormdrane]

Energizer has had coupons in the Sunday newspapers for $1 off their lithiums a couple times this month. Add that to the occasional sale at somewhere like Kroger or Walgreens and the price for a 4 pack of AA/AAA looks more tempting.

[greenLED]

I thought it was 1 incident with the AA product (and a single cell application IIRC) and they never got a clear picture of that one. He was having troubles elsewhere and decided to only fight one battle at a time so he dropped them.You're probably right, Luni. Off to rephrase.

[Lunal_Tic]

green,

I tried to find that thread but my CPF Search-jitsu isn't as good as yours so I've not turned it up. Was going to put in a link to it here but :shrug:

-LT

[greenLED]

The one I remember was an explosion in one of those portable cell-phone chargers (the type you put an AA cell in and plug into your cell phone). I seem to recall other reports, but until I find them, I'll stick with the single incident as you pointed out. Thanks for the correction.

[Lunal_Tic]

One other Energizer Lithium caution, there are on occasion "bulk" batteries for sale from liquidators et al. Be wary of these since they appear in some cases to be "used" cells. There was a big rush to by some that worked out to .50 cents/per but in testing some folk found that a good number were unusable so that the actual cost for usable batteries went up.

I purchased some of these and had one bag that had a number of marginal pieces and another that has tested out pretty well. It's really hit and miss with these so if you don't have the proper testing equipment they may not be worth your coin.

-LT

[Gadget Guy]

Seems like another bad case of you get what you pay for. :( I am always skeptical of such bargains, but sometimes it works out. Thanks for the tip LT!

[greenLED]

I found the incidents I had in mind:

Primary lithium battery explodes (http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=121303) (in a cell phone battery charger)
A small lithium battery incident (http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=124552) (in a flashlight)

There were two other reports: one of the voltage being >1.9V, and the other of sudden death (no voltage on fresh cell). In any case, I think it's a real pitty that they stopped producing these. BS 123's are very good quality, and I would've loved to see them offer a product in AA form.

[Lunal_Tic]

Thanks green I knew you'd find the threads. I've had ones that were 1.9V+ (unloaded) but only 1 the was DOA and I've gone through about 80 or so. You are correct, it's a shame they bailed on them after all the effort involved in bringing them to us. It might have even forced Energizer to bring down the prices on their batteries too eventually.

-LT

[MrBear80229]

Where the e2's shine for me(pun intended) is in my digital camera, where as a set of alkalines will give me 75-100 pics the the lithiums are good for 400 or so.

Mr Bear

[parnass]

I use e2 AAA lithium batteries to power the outdoor part of a wireless thermometer.

Alkaline cells failed to maintain adequate voltage in cold temperatures. Temperatures have been hovering around 0F to -5F for the past few days and the e2 cells continue to work OK.

[Gadget Guy]

Wow, that is good to know. Another reason to buy these. :) Thanks to LT's tip, I bought the 12 pk of AA at Sam's club for $19.50. I'm still looking for a deal on the AAA's.

[Goldtanker]

I'm glad you brought up the temperature sensor. I have the same problem with alkalines. On cold days they show as lobat even if you just put them in. I'm going to try the lithium for better performance in the minus 20 stuff. Interesting problem developed when I tried a 9v lithium in the sender for the driveway alert system. It is a simple motion sensor that transmits to my wife's quilt shop because she has no view of the driveway. Well, the unit stopped working and when I sent it back for repair, the word was to ONLY use Duracell Copper Top batteries. I thought I was doing the thing a favor, but for some reason the lithium caused a failure. :shrug:

[riprater]

I found this interesting link from Petzl about the limitations and use of lithiums in their headlamps.
http://en.petzl.com/petzl/LampesNews?News=159

[islandboymitch]

I uses Energizer E2 batteries in my Inova x1. I really like them and they make the flashlight a bit lighter.