Batteries and The Cold

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

Do any batteries fare better in the cold than others ie NiMH over Lithium ???

I remember going back quite a few years ago when I went to Finland the cold absolutely killed camera batteries in a very short space of time … has there been any improvement over the years or are they still the same???

The reason I ask is having become a flashaholic at the same time coincided with my cycling a lot more and now the winters here I need lights but my bikes in a garage which gets cold in the winter.

It’s not just about leaving the lights on the bike with the batteries in them but also where I’d leave spare batteries in a saddlebag in case the ones in the torch run out of charge.

My front light uses a 18650 Lipo and the rear are just eneloop 2500 AA’s … interested to see what others experiences have been???

2

I think eneloops hold up better over the cheapo lithium batteries

3

That’s good to know especially as they’ll be in the rear light :slight_smile:

Any idea if Lithium do drain quite badly if just left in the cold??

4

They don’t ‘drain’. They can’t support amp draw when really cold. When they warm up the capacity is still there.
If the light draw gets them warm, AND they function well enough at the starting temperature they should be fine. Below freezing, maybe not so much.

5

How bout taking the batteries inside instead of leaving them overnight in a bike pouch? Maybe get yourself a small fanny pack to keep spares in when you go ride. Your body heat will keep them plenty warm.

6

I use eneloops in my work camera. So far so good in –10c all day long.

My 18650 lithium ions are absolutely amazing in cold. I keep one in a flashlight in my vehicle all winter. It sits in temps around –20 to –40c all winter and never skips a beat. I I’ve fish with them in my armytek wizard headlamps etc and they work flawlessly in all temps. Needless to say, I am extremely impressed. Any gear that can hold up in this winter climate is a huge bonus.

7

Lithium is generally the best batteries in cold weather.
And with lithium I do not mean rechargeable LiIon batteries like 18650.

8

I do not live in the coldest part of the Country. But it still can get cold.

I have never had a problem w/ my L.Ion 18650’s in temperatures as low as –7F/-21C.

9

They they are either warmer or you are not drawing much current.

10

These are ALL modded lights!

Maybe there is some confusion here. My lights and batteries are kept inside. At night I bring them outside on my trail hikes w/ Capo and use them for about 70 minutes.

mizjif posted:

My 18650 lithium ions are absolutely amazing in cold. I keep one in a flashlight in my vehicle all winter. It sits in temps around –20 to –40c all winter and never skips a beat. I I’ve fish with them in my armytek wizard headlamps etc and they work flawlessly in all temps. Needless to say, I am extremely impressed. Any gear that can hold up in this winter climate is a huge bonus.

He is even in COLDER temps and has no problem!

11

I had thought about doing this but Murpy’s law guarantees the one time you’re rushing out the door and forget the pack will be time you get a flat torch battery at the furthest point from home it could possibly happen :laughing:

I may stick them in a coat pocket and leave them there … might be the easiest all round option.