Lithium Primary Runtimes in AAx1 Flashlights

Does anybody know if lithium primary cells would provide better or even comparable runtimes to using NiMH cells in the Lumintop tool AA 2.0 or Zebralight SC53? I have not found any runtime figures for lithium primaries in these lights, and I am concerned about it because the higher voltage alkaline cells often have significantly shorter runtimes at most output levels in this type of light.

I’m asking this question because I want to lower the weight of carrying these lights daily, but I do not want to do that using lithium primary cells if the runtimes will be significantly compromised by doing so.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Jeff

Are you thinking of something like the energizer primary cells?

AA datasheet

AA manual

Yes, I have some Ultimate Lithium primary AA and AAA cells, and I’m trying to figure the runtimes I will get in my 1xAA and 1xAAA lights using them, rather than Eneloops. I appreciate the manufacturer info, but it would be helpful if somebody could point me to some runtime data from real-life trials done with flashlights of the types I use.

Lumintop tool AA 2.0 is not current controlled. You’ll be brighter in each mode and that’ll probably eat up the extra capacity of Lithium primaries. Zebralight SC53 is regulated and you’ll probable get the extra runtime out of the extra 33% capacity. Sorry I couldn’t find any actual charts.

yes,
Lithium Primaries have longer runtime than Eneloops

I suggest you do your own runtime test, and let us know your results, in your lights.

and yes, Lithium Primaries weigh half as much as Eneloops.
the difference is equivalent to taking 3 USA 5cent nickels out of your pocket :slight_smile:

That’s actually helpful, thanks.

Thanks for that interesting thread. I’m not keen on putting a cell with more than 1.5 volts into my Zebralight, so I probably would only try the lithium cell in my Tool 2.0.

I do not understand your concern… maybe write to zebra and ask

fwiw, on their site it says:
Battery: One AA size NiMH, lithium or alkaline battery.

and:
Operating Voltage Range: 0.7V - 2.0V

fwiw, I just tested an Energizer Ultimate Lithium, the voltage is 1.7v, so that does NOT exceed Zebra specs.

in any case

another factor in runtime, is the output level:

[QUOTE=hiuintahs]Both batteries have their weak and strong points.

Here is an example using a Fenix LD11 single AA light with 4 different battery types. The lithium L91 performs best at lower current levels. The rechargeable batteries perform better at higher discharge rates.

High Level

Medium Level

[/QUOTE]

Nice tool, if you know amperage and minimum voltage what you need
https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/CommonAAcomparator.php

jon_slider is correct, as usual - the Zebra can handle the lithium primary voltage. I had forgotten the maximum voltage specs on my SC53w…… :person_facepalming:

Interesting graphs……In an emergency in which I needed my light for a longer time, it might be beneficial to have the longer runtime on Medium provided by the lithium primary cell. Of course, we don’t know that the lights I mentioned in the first post would behave exactly like the LD11, but it is interesting to see the data presented. Maybe I can cut the number of backup lights I carry to save some weight, and keep the Eneloops in the lights.

Thanks for the responses, everyone!

Be well,

Jeff

The beauty of this type of light is that it takes three different types of batteries. Actually if you include lithium primary, it’s four types. I am assuming it takes 14500.

The Lumintop Tool AA 2.0 takes a lithium ion cell, but the Zebralight does not. I have the Nichia version of the Lumintop light - it’s a real bargain for the price.

Yup - just to follow up, the Energizer Lithium AAs come in fresh at around 1.83V (at least, that’s the highest I’ve seen them, and consistently 1.8x), which is still acceptable.

In the AA user manual it states that although the OCV is 1.8 that it immediately drops under load, and they can be used in most all “1.5V” applications without problems.

Also when the OCV is 1.7 it is considered depleted and used up.

They drop quickly, but I have to ‘knock the top off’ by shorting them for 2 or 3 seconds with a paper clip or a scrap of tinfoil, or my UT01’s think they’re a depleted 14500 and won’t turn on. Took me a while to realize what was going on!

In general, across multiple lights I own, I get about 1.5X the runtime using Energizer Lithiums over NiMH. These are runtimes I did for the Olight I3E some time ago. I keep the I3E in my two cars, they ALWAYS have Energizer Lithiums in them, because of their shelf-life, longer runtime and ability to work in more extreme temps. And they rarely leak like alkalines.

In this post, I also did some runtime tests for the J5 tactical V1 Pro using different AA batteries, including the Energizer Lithium:

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/53397