Alkaline AA vs. Lithium AA

Parker

Here's an interesting comparison of a Meg AA Energizer Industrial Alkaline and AA Energizer Lithium battery pack. I used a CBA II to make the comparison. The Alkaline AA 1.5v batteries are rated at 2850mA and the Lithium AA 1.5v batteries at 3000mA. The test current was 150mA constant. The Lithium battery pack voltage dropped off as expected around 6.5v so the pack would be dead prior to the handset backlight failure warning.

Note: There's not a battery chemistry setting on the CBA II software to support the 1.5v Lithium batteries so I used the Alkaline setting. The test Amps (150mA), cell voltage and test cutoff voltage was the same for both packs.

I'll do a 9v battery (single and two paralleled) test and plug the data into the chart, just for fun, when time allows. The Lithium C 3.6v batteries are way too expensive to burn up on a test so I'll leave that one for my friend netmage.

Hope this helps!

Parker

Attached Images

meg battery pack comparison.pdf (657.5 KB, 88 views)

offpro

what about the lithium 3,6v c-cell ?

Parker

netmage is in charge of that test...

Outlaw

Parker,

many thanks for that. i guess every meg user thinking about lithium batteries should give you a green ...

here is a question. after analysing your data, would you say that is safe to use a lithium package say for 15 hours usage before dumping them?

Thanks.

__________________
CMAS - IANTD - TDI
Kamikazi Instrustor Trainer
DIRRebreather Team Member
----------------------------
"Once an Outlaw, always an Outlaw"

netmage

Lemme get my CBA back from deepstops and I'll run it....

-Tim

__________________
"You want a bailout bottle? Go get the pink one from Fill Express, B*TCH!" - John Cogan

"If I sent my rebreather back, I might live longer, but would I live more?" - Abbo

Parker

Hi Spyros,

Thanks for the green!

That's a pretty tough question to answer since the data is based on a constant 150mA current draw. It wasn't my intentions to determine exactly how long a Lithium AA battery pack would last in the APECS primary or secondary, just to give a comparison of the two battery types. That being said, it is possible to take the data and make an approximation of Lithium AA pack life based on Alkaline AA pack life. Depending on solenoid use, and lots of other variables, APECS demand could be more or less than the 150mA used in the test.

Here's a bit more voltage/time info-

Alkaline AA Battery Pack:
7.8v - 5.5v 8h:25m
7.8v - 5.0v 9h:59m
5.5v - 5.0v 1h:34m

Lithium AA Battery Pack:
8.7v - 6.6v 17h:30m
8.7v - 6.5v 18h:0m
8.7v - 6.0v 19h:5m
6.6v - 6.0v 1h:35m
6.5v - 6.0v 1h:5m

8.7v - 5.5v 19h:13m
8.7v - 5.0v 19h:22m
5.5v - 5.0v 0h:9m

6.6v - 5.0v 1h:52m
6.5v - 5.0v 1h:22m

So, based on the CBA II data the Lithium AA pack should last approx twice as long as the Alkaline battery pack and be changed out at approx 6.6v. Meg users report a pretty broad range of Alkaline battery pack life so Lithium AA battery pack life will vary depending on the user. I sent out 3 of the Lithium AA packs for field testing but it could be a while before we hear anything back. I could drain a pack down to 6.6v on the CBA and put it in my Meg to see how long it last before lights out!

Everything is getting blurry- if I made any calculation errors please be gentle!

Hope this helps!

Parker

Outlaw

Parker,

thanks for the update. would you care to do a test with the 9v? or the lithium 9v? i guess it would be nice to have some comparisons the way you have put it here...

for me, if you get the field testing going, then i would be happy to use them for 15hours...

Thanks again,

Spyros

__________________
CMAS - IANTD - TDI
Kamikazi Instrustor Trainer
DIRRebreather Team Member
----------------------------
"Once an Outlaw, always an Outlaw"

Parker

Spyros,

The 9v battery test is next, I'll have to run by the store and pick up a couple so it might be a day or two.

How many hours are you getting out of the Alkaline packs in your primary?

I started experimenting with the Lithium AA batteries to help a friend extend the time between battery changes in his primary, and because they are available locally and reasonably priced. He's getting about 10h out of the Alkaline packs so the idea is to double that. The CBA data indicates it being possible but only time in the "real world" will tell for sure. He's running a standard, tested and reliable, Alkaline pack in his secondary.

Parker

netmage

Just fired off the C cell test.... Li-Ion chemistry setting pulled in the proper voltages for a 2x3.6v cell pack... only difference is I left the cutoff at 5.6v.

I just realized..., Parker's 3Ah test took ~ a day..., so maybe my 9Ah test will be done sometime Sunday... Damnit... good thing I didn't use my work machine...

-Tim

__________________
"You want a bailout bottle? Go get the pink one from Fill Express, B*TCH!" - John Cogan

"If I sent my rebreather back, I might live longer, but would I live more?" - Abbo

Parker

I does take a while at 150mA.

You know- by the end of these test you and I will have wasted about $60 dollars in battery packs. Makes me kinda sad... that's a bunch of quality beer!

Will Work for Battery Packs!

Parker