You do not need a “special light” to use primary lithium cells (Energizer blue and silver)
You need a special light, charger and knowledge to get lithium-ion cells, which aren’t suitable for
tossing in a glove box and forgetting, anyhow. Don’t go there.
Energizer lithium primary or Eneloop NiMH are pretty reliable for not leaking, though your mileage may differ.
Any cell you forget about will eventually leak, given time.
long-term?
CR123.
i have some 20-year-old ones
that are still close to a full charge.
obviously, they cost more initially.
just divide that cost by 20.
A Primary Lithium cell is NOT rechargable. It is used in place of a Alkaline cell. Disposable. The 3.7 volt rechargeable lithium cells we use are known as secondary lithium cells
I have used these for years in things that sit un-used for long periods or operate outside in cold or hot weather. My experience has been excellent. No leaks and always ready. I have an old maglite AA that has been sitting since I joined BLF in 2015 as a "control". It still lights and the cells are clean and dry when I just removed them to look at.
ok i know all that
does anyone have an answer for what i actually asked?
You can’t get cheap for what you are asking, unless you are willing to chance having the cell leak and ruin the device by using a generic AA alkaline. (wasn’t sure if you understood primary / secondary)
I keep my batteries outside flashlights kept in car.
I keep a few energizer lithium AA around
No good choice was included in your question.
I doubt you’ll meet anyone here who uses or would recommend carbon-zinc cells.
They’re cheap, weak, and short-lived bcause the chemistry dissolves the zinc can from the inside.
Wikipedia’s article on alkaline cells explains why they leak. I had to look it up.
Primary lithium AA and CR123 cells are well worth the cost, expecially if your cost comparison includes the likely cost of repairing or replacing a flashlight damaged by a leaky zarbon-zinc or alkaline cell every year or so.
None of us came here knowing all that. Remember people answering questions are thinking to inform not just the person who asked the question but anyone else out there who searches for the same question and answers, sometimes months or years later, so people may seem to be giving simple and obvious information in responses. It’s meant to help.
I’ve had pretty good luck with Rayovac alkalines, personally. Better than the other two major brands.
I missed that but arguably NiMH is still the best answer as leaks from alkaline/carbon batteries often destroys the device they are installed in.
I have NiMH in my car for over 5 years that sees –30ºC to +60ºC (–22F to 140F). Still doing great, i recharge them once a year during which time they have not even drained much unless i used the light (which i tend not to).
Sadly only two choices .. Neither of which are on the list .
- Lithium primary AAA,AA or cr123 20 + years
or
- Low self discharge NIMH and charge it once a year
There are no good cheap alternatives and having junk batteries leak will cost you the price of the light
ok so this was a poll, not a teach and preach
no one knows, no one cares
0 response votes so far
lets keep the streak going
What do you mean “0 response votes so far” I see votes; 5 in total.
One does have to vote to see the totals, or not be logged in at all I believe.
oh
i see now
i voted
alkaline seems to be the choice
but they are derided and assailed - “alkaleaks”
no one talks about “carbo-leaks”
i would have thought heavy dutys would be the unleakiest of the cheapiest
In my experience alkalines have about a 25% chance of leakage over their lifetime.
I don’t use carbon-zinc batteries so cannot offer data on them.
If you have an Ikea nearby buy a package of cheap NiMH. More expensive than alkaline but much safer from leaking.
No. The HD part is marketing hype. Carbon zinc are junk.
Yes, some people use the term alkaleaks, because alkalines sometimes do.
Over many decades I have had many leaking alkalines. Most often in items that were not used often. Many times found a non-working light after it had sat in a drawer or some other storage for a time. Battery operated Xmas deco lights are bad for leaving alkies in one year to the next
Maybe because [we] can’t answer the poll, … why?
==> no choice in the poll fits as a correct answer to the question.
The “least worse” might be Alkaline though.
PS, you will find a lot of inforation in previous threads, for example where you wrote this:
That seems to fit the use case you laid out in your early response above.
right
i don’t want to buy more cr123a lights for this
i know what i am asking
Well, I suggest the experiment —- buy three sub-$2 cheapie light, load with the three kinds of cheap cells you asked about, put them in your car’s glove compartment, and check back in a couple of years. I’d guess the answer to your poll will turn out to be “None of the above”
But in line with our host’s rule about avoiding divisive subjects, that’s enough from me. Bless your heart, I hope you find the answer you’re looking for.