How often do I swap out lithium batteries

S

Shann

Joined
Sep 2, 2004
Messages
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I have a Fenix TK1 that I put regular lithium batteries in. I don't use it much; it mostly sits in the console of my truck. Since we are getting into cold weather here, I'm wondering if I should put in a new set. They are over a year old at this point, but I doubt if I've actually used the light for more than 15 minutes total.
 
I check the voltage on my "emergency" flashlights about every 4 months. When 3 volt batteries get below 2.5 volts, I switch them out.

Of course, voltage is just an indicator and doesn't indicate how much useable power is in a cell.

A $10 multimeter works well, or you can get a battery tester.

Lithium batteries are theoretically good for about a decade, but I've had some show appreciable voltage drops in less than a year.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
They last a long time unused. I doubt your light has dimmed significantly.
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Master of understatement. Those things are advertised to have a 10 year shelf life. While that may be a bit exaggerated, one year isn't likely to give you issues. I have a Surefire L1 that's over 2 years old, gets used somewhat regularly (though almost always on low only) and is still on the original battery.
 
I have been doing a runtime test on a CR123 battery in an HDS here on Candlepowerforums for over 3 years.

The shelf life on these things is pretty good, but when replacement batteries are maybe $1.50 online, its worth sticking a new one in from time to time.

I use only rechargeable CR123's (RCR123), but that is neither here nor there. You don't want a rechargeable (with a pretty high self-discharge rate) in a light thats going to be sitting around unused for a long time.

 
orthogonal1 said:
I check the voltage on my "emergency" flashlights about every 4 months. When 3 volt batteries get below 2.5 volts, I switch them out.

Of course, voltage is just an indicator and doesn't indicate how much useable power is in a cell.

A $10 multimeter works well, or you can get a battery tester.

Lithium batteries are theoretically good for about a decade, but I've had some show appreciable voltage drops in less than a year.
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I hope you put all those old batteries in a box and save them. For blackouts, those old batteries and your extra older LED flashlights make for tons of useful light, kind of like candles as they use up the many final hours of the battery life, those are the batteries for the lights that you set in the bathroom or the hall.
 
braddy said:
I hope you put all those old batteries in a box and save them. For blackouts, those old batteries and your extra older LED flashlights make for tons of useful light, kind of like candles as they use up the many final hours of the battery life, those are the batteries for the lights that you set in the bathroom or the hall.
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They go in my regular carry lights (Bitz, modded ARC LS, Malkoff'd C2, etc.).
 
i have 2 in my truck still strong after 3 yrs. as earlier advised for ready to go change out 3 or 4 yrs. & save in freezer. i also have 3 streamlights with 7 leds which hold 4 aa energizers. these i have used intermitently for 2yrs. before replacement.will burn steady for 150 hrs.as a gooD practice i change out the aa & AAA every 2 yrs.for daily & duty use change when power drops.do'nt start your shift w/o fresh as a safe practice.
 
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