Do coin cells have better resistance to elements (heat, humid environments, etc.)

T

TKM

Joined
Nov 3, 2010
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252
Hi guys,

I'm looking for a flashlight to keep in the "glovebox" of my truck, however, I work/hike in a semi-desertic area, so the temperatures in the vehicle are really hot during the day.

I want that light to be ready to be used at anytime, so the batteries must be reliable ( I don't want them to leak or expand inside the light) I'm given to understand that Lithium Coin Cells (CR2032, CR2016) have a better resistance to heat, is that true?

My Petzl e-lite can be stored and used at very high temperatures and it uses two CR2032 cells but I don't know if all coin cells are this dependable or if it is only this light ¡?

Thanks guys.
 
You might consider a 9volt led flashlight like the pak-lite or similar brands. Operating temps for 9V batteries are something like -5 to 140 degrees F.

There are a number of testimonials by guys using them in Iraq.
 
Any Surefire will serve you well. Theyll survive any heat you can throw at them. And the G2 is relatively inexpensive.
 
Exactly; I know there are a couple lights that will work at those temperatures, but the question is about the batteries.

To give you and example, I used to have a Mini Mag-Lite in my glove box with alkaline AA's stored in a waterpoof container separately, after about six months, the batteries had leaked, the light worked as new, though.

So I'd like to know if coin cells would last longer in a similar scenario.

Thanks.
 
What extreme temps are you talking about? The military uses CR123 batteries for a myriad of things from radios to NV to sights, they get stashed in vehicles, packs, and conex boxes in the desert and survive. I carried surefires and the requisite batteries on 3 deployments and never had an issue with the 123 batteries.

So, they should survive your glove box without issue. One caveat, buy quality batteries, good ones have a small detent on the top of the battery, that's a circuit breaker and is an indicator of quality batteries.
 
I believe the military uses 123's because of the output and not with regards to temperature consideration. Could be wrong.

Why not just carry a light with you though? I have a small handheld and a photon II on me. No need for a car light.
 
In general, I have found Lithium, of whatever size or cell design to excell in cold weather performance. I use 123's in tons of gear and optics. I know I have left weapon mounted 123a lights out in the summer sun (100 ish degrees) without any problems. They get so hot you cant handle them.........never a single problem.

For what you describe, I think the most important thing is to buy quality cells and inspect on a regular basis
 
Thank you guys,

I have a headlight with me at all times; so this would be my all-around utility light.

I'm gonna give CR2032 Coin Cells a try and I'll let you know; thanks again!
 
You don't have to limit yourself to coin cell lights. Matter of fact most coin cell lights have poor regulation and dim rather quickly even if they have a long runtime.

You can keep the maglite you had and just replace the alkaline with lithium AA batteries.

Lithium handle a larger range of temps over alkaline
 
I would think that a lithium battery is a lithium battery—whether its in the form of a coin cell, AA or 123.
 
dd61999 said:
actually, if he goes hiking, many canteen stops only carry common batteries like aaa or aa.
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Exactly, sometimes it's even hard to find AAA's in country areas. That's why I'm choosing CR2032 out of the other lithium batteries , if you do find coin cells in a pharmacy or convenience store, they're for sure going to be CR2032.

By the way, I have tried replacing alkaline AA's for Lithium AA's and they do work in wider temparature range, however, if you have a non-regulated light (e.g. a normal Mag-Lite) Lithiums will burn your bulbs and even LED units incredibly fast.
 
I don't remember the temperature range but lithium batteries are used for several reasons on demanding lights, and one reason is temperature extremes.

Resistance to temperature, higher voltage output, and low self discharge rate, are some of the key advantages of a lithium cell.

Coin cell lithium batteries are not something I would choose for a back-up light though. They will work for your needs but the low capacity means runtime is much less than the more common (for flashlights) CR123. Availability always seems to be the question with CR123's but I have never found this to be a problem. Gander mountain, gun shops, and even lowes carry surefire or other brand CR123 for about 1.50 each. You can also buy in bulk from sites like allbattery.com for around 1.00 each.

I would recommend to anyone thinking of using lithium cells to go over to candlepowerforums and read in the battery section. Lithium cells have some dangers that include explosion, fire, and leakage if handled improperly.
 
TKM said:
Exactly, sometimes it's even hard to find AAA's in country areas. That's why I'm choosing CR2032 out of the other lithium batteries , if you do find coin cells in a pharmacy or convenience store, they're for sure going to be CR2032.

By the way, I have tried replacing alkaline AA's for Lithium AA's and they do work in wider temparature range, however, if you have a non-regulated light (e.g. a normal Mag-Lite) Lithiums will burn your bulbs and even LED units incredibly fast.
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The beauty of maglites is the number of aftermarket items for them. My kids have smjled led drop ins and the battery last for 20 hours on those things and still put out 15 lumens (3-4x brighter than stock mag). I also have a terralux tle-5ex drop in that is just almost as bright as a surefire g2l


I still like alkaline because they are cheap and plentiful. I like the fact if the battery goes dead you can let it sit turned off and it will come back to life again. The ARC AAAflashlight really takes advantage of this. I never really had a problem in cold weather, worse case scenario was that the led was a little bit dimmer until the light warmed up.
 
dd61999 said:
The beauty of maglites is the number of aftermarket items for them. My kids have smjled led drop ins and the battery last for 20 hours on those things and still put out 15 lumens (3-4x brighter than stock mag). I also have a terralux tle-5ex drop in that is just almost as bright as a surefire g2l


I still like alkaline because they are cheap and plentiful. I like the fact if the battery goes dead you can let it sit turned off and it will come back to life again. The ARC AAAflashlight really takes advantage of this. I never really had a problem in cold weather, worse case scenario was that the led was a little bit dimmer until the light warmed up.
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Until that sucker leaks and ruins your whole flashlight, 2-way radio, GPS, etc.
I don't touch Alkalines with a 5 foot pole. CR123s are much better, reliable, powerful, long lasting and have 10 years shelf-life.
 
Outdoors Fanatic said:
Until that sucker leaks and ruins your whole flashlight, 2-way radio, GPS, etc.
I don't touch Alkalines with a 5 foot pole. CR123s are much better, reliable, powerful, long lasting and have 10 years shelf-life.
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Pluses and minus to both. The hard availability of cr123 in remote area's or traveling are a turn off for me. Plus I am very good about changing my batteries not to worry about shelf life or leakage.

To each their own
 
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