Lithium Primaries - when is it safe to use them?

Propeak · 2019-02-08T14:16:59.000Z

I am counting the days to receive my first batch of BLF Sofirn C01 Specials which can also use L92 lithium primaries.

Considering how useful this is my interest in Lithium Primaries was rekindled for “set it and forget it” kind of flashlights.

So, I’m curious as to which AA and AAA flashlights can use them. I’m also trying to remember safety regarding their use giving rise to qusetions such as:

Aren’t Lithium Primaries compatible with everything AA/AAA?

If a flashlight takes 14500 or 10440 does this mean it can safely handle Lithium Primaries?

How much safer are Lithium Primaries compared to 3.7V lithium batteries like 18650 etc?

Can you leave them in a car under the scorching sun?

Will they leak?

Can they shortcircuit when loose in your bag?

Perhaps there’s a thread about them I can’t find?

Thanks for your input!

BlueSwordM · 2019-02-08T14:30:16.000Z

1. Yes.

2. Yes, since lithium primaries are around the same voltage range as other non-lithium ion chemistries, so 0,9V-1,8V.

3. Lithium primaries, in most conditions, are actually worse in terms of safety since they use a form of pure lithium that is very reactive, unlike lithium-ion which only contain lithium-ion compounds.

4. Yes. These are the conditions where lithium primaries are better than other chemistries, since they aren’t affected by cycle life worries, and can be used without problems until about 80C.

5. No, unless you are very unlucky.

6. Yes, so put them in a ziploc bag to prevent this.

Zulumoose · 2019-02-08T14:33:54.000Z

Yes, so put them in ~~a ziploc bag~~ another flashlight to prevent this.

derfyled · 2019-02-08T14:45:15.000Z

Aren’t Lithium Primaries compatible with everything AA/AAA?

Yes

If a flashlight takes 14500 or 10440 does this mean it can safely handle Lithium Primaries?
-No problem as long as the driver can accept 1,2-1,7V. Best way to know is totry it, no chance in harming your lights, the worst that can happen is that there will not be enough power to light up

How much safer are Lithium Primaries compared to 3.7V lithium batteries like 18650 etc?
— AFAIK, they might be the safest battery to use and store-
EDIT: Didn’t tought about the reactive aspect, was referring to the fact that since they can’t be recharged, a lot of potential problems are avoided

Can you leave them in a car under the scorching sun?
-heat and any type of battery is never a good mix altough lithium battery can endure more heat than a lot of other chemistry

Will they leak?
-not supposed to

Can they shortcircuit when loose in your bag?
-yes, like any battery with exposed contacts

Propeak · 2019-02-08T14:53:23.000Z

Wow, you guys are fast!

Thanks for all the answers, great stuff!

Lithium Primaries are sooooooo appealing for having them always ready in a car in various flashlights - just as Zulumoose pointed out! However, I’m a little worried I’ll find my car burned down one day because a battery went berserk. I’d normally consider an Eneloop for the C01 but since it’s a vampire I’d rather it would just exsanguinate a single use battery.

What do you guys do for long-term ever-ready flashlights left in cars / drawers etc? Or does nothing get left in storage too long???

chadvone · 2019-02-08T15:14:32.000Z

Propeak:

What do you guys do for long-term ever-ready flashlights left in cars / drawers etc? Or does nothing get left in storage too long???

What your wanting to do. Use primaries.

SIGShooter · 2019-02-08T18:23:23.000Z

Propeak:

Wow, you guys are fast!

Thanks for all the answers, great stuff!

Lithium Primaries are sooooooo appealing for having them always ready in a car in various flashlights - just as Zulumoose pointed out! However, I’m a little worried I’ll find my car burned down one day because a battery went berserk. I’d normally consider an Eneloop for the C01 but since it’s a vampire I’d rather it would just exsanguinate a single use battery.

What do you guys do for long-term ever-ready flashlights left in cars / drawers etc? Or does nothing get left in storage too long???

I have them in all my car flashlights as well as my earthquake supplies. Given their long shelf life I figure I can depend upon them when I need to use them for something important.

Propeak · 2019-02-09T13:25:08.000Z

Thanks for all your responses, I will play around with the primaries to see how safe they are but I think I’ll just keep a couple loaded in flashlights in the car.

Henk4U2 · 2019-02-09T14:00:14.000Z

I keep them in a toothpick box. It can hold 3 to 4 AAA batteries.
Safe as long as all pluses or all minuses are pointing in the same direction.

hank · 2019-02-09T14:24:44.000Z

What do you guys do for long-term ever-ready flashlights

Energizer lithium primaries.
Earthquake country, it’s not “if” it’s “when” — and “Surprise!” ……

wle · 2019-02-10T02:07:18.000Z

actually i have had some of those energizer lithium primaries and i thought they were terrible
they seemed to have very little current delivery capacity
open circuit voltage would be ok but they wouldn;t run anything
maybe they were old - but aren;t they supposed to have long shelf life?

wle

hank · 2019-02-10T02:48:27.000Z

What year was printed on the cells? And which variety, “Advanced” or “Ultimate” lithium?

My gosh, it’s almost 2020 already, time I turned over my earthquake cache.

wle · 2019-02-10T16:10:06.000Z

hank:

What year was printed on the cells? And which variety, “Advanced” or “Ultimate” lithium?

My gosh, it’s almost 2020 already, time I turned over my earthquake cache.

“Ultimate” - i think they were near expiration but not over

they were terrible

wle