Lithium D-cell batteries?

S

Sid Post

Joined
Oct 14, 1998
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Does anyone have any experience with, or know where I could get some, Lithium D-cell batteries? All the local places had the Energizer AA and AAA cells but, none of the other sizes. I went on-line and looked at their homepage with no joy :(

What I want is a reliable battery for the Arizona heat. I have emergency strobes that are D-cell only that I keep in the car. Well, the asphalt jungle gets hotter then Hell when it's in the mid-90's in the morning and well above that mid-morning through the rest of the day (love those heat islands :barf: ).

The SureFire solved my flashlight problem but, some items aren't available in a CR-123 format :grumpy:
 
Is there such a thing as a lithium D cell?

There are lithium AA cells, and there are adaptors so you can use them in a device that's made for D cells. Of course it'll have AA runtime but you can use lithium or NiMH rechargeables.

I've seen the adaptors at Walgreens. They're modular from AAA in steps all the way to D so you can use any smaller cell in a device that's made for bigger cells.
 
cockroachfarm said:
Don't think so. Nor "C-cells".

If you can find them, please post a source here. :cool:
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753.055(1).jpg


http://www.batteriesplus.com.au/products05_detail.asp?iProductID=553&iParentID=232

Price: $57 :eek:

maximus otter
 
Cougar Allen said:
<snip>Of course it'll have AA runtime but you can use lithium or NiMH rechargeables.<snip>
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Rechargables definitely do NOT work. I had Hi-cap Ni-cad's D-cells in a Mag-lite with Carley Lamps. It worked great in the air conditioned house but, in a car trunk it was completely dead in less then one week.

Those adaptors sound like a possible short term solution but, I am concerned about the short run time in emergency flashers and beacons.
 
maximus otter said:
Price: $57 :eek:

maximus otter
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Yes, but those are Australian dollars with the GST tax (I assume it is similar to the VAT in Europe). Now, if only the strong dollar would return ........ ;)
 
You might find the best solution for your purpose is to make an adaptor to fit half as many 123A cells. Have you seen the posts on CPF about adapting a 2D or 3C Maglite to take 3x123A for 9v to overdrive a krypton bulb? Of course you don't want to increase the voltage, but the same kind of adaptor made from a piece of plastic pipe or rubber hose might be workable for you.
 
At one time when I was into super-charging Mag-lites I considered that option. The problem I see at the moment is that I am using single D-cell strobes and emergency beacons and I don't have access to machining tools to create a vertical spacer that will maintain reliable contact along the length. A body sleeve probably would not be too big an issue for my application though.

Thanks for the reminder!
 
There are a number of threads on Candle Power Forums about lithium D cells.

If your devices use more than one and an even number of D cells, you can use the SAFT 3V D cells and dummy cells.

Otherwise (or alternately), you can use AA to D adapters and use the "1.5V" AA lithium cells.

Keep in mind if the devices are sealed, you may want to look into cataylyst pellets in order to reduce the possibility of gas buildup.

The other thing you might try to do is find replacement devices that take AA batteries so you can use the lithium AA batteries.

-john


Lithium/Sulfur Dioxide Battery "D" size

tysonic 3.6v lithium D cells

1.5 volt lithium D cells

C and D lithiums?

Lithium "D" cells.....

3 V 7500 mAh Lithium D cells

Least expensive source for Lithium D cells?

Source for lithium catalyst pellets?
 
ccdog,

Thanks for the reference links. I didn't really catch anything new beyond confirming the lack of appropriate consumer grade lithium D-cells.

Your words about finding dedicated devices that will run on AA's is valid but, that isn't an option at this point because I don't think they exist. Using a 3-D cell Mag-lite with a 6-cell bulb might be a fun toy but, the SureFire rules that position in my current gear. The light weight helps too! :)

These single cell D-cell devices are priced appropriately so, affordable replacements are not in the immediate expectations for a solution. I also suspect the ENERGY CAPACITY of the various battery sizes is part of the problem. An ultra-efficient AA device may give the run time and output needed but, it is not cost competitive in the mass marketplace.

I guess I'm off to the local places to look for the 4AA to 1D converters.

I think I am running into a user volume problem. Millions of Walk-man's and digital camera's on AA's but, only a handful of users like myself. :(
 
I see you've already thought of what I was about to suggest -- running 4xAA in parallel. That should give you good runtime.

You might find the easiest way to do that is to use some wire and a soldering gun. You can solder batteries if you're quick about it, to avoid heating the insides....
 
Sid Post said:
ccdog,

Thanks for the reference links. I didn't really catch anything new beyond confirming the lack of appropriate consumer grade lithium D-cells.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Although I think there were some tidbits in there about different types of chemistries, risks, and load characteristics in the case you did try to use them. However, I'm getting the impression your device is a 1xD, which pretty much rules these choices out unless you modify the device (or, unless the device will tollerate that much voltage... that might be a possibility).

Your words about finding dedicated devices that will run on AA's is valid but, that isn't an option at this point because I don't think they exist.
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Yah, I understand. I was kinda thinking about the Glo-Toob FX, but it probably isn't powerful enough and it isn't AA and I don't know how those cells would hold up to the heat. Of course the rest of the Glo-Toob construction is bulletproof (and they are very cool).

I did see some strobe options here that take AA or lithium batteries.

Using a 3-D cell Mag-lite with a 6-cell bulb might be a fun toy but, the SureFire rules that position in my current gear. The light weight helps too! :)
Click to expand...

I'm with you. Surefires for that job. However, I do have a D mag with 3V SAFT D cells and a 1W LED "bulb" for mega long runtime emergency light. Hang it on the wall and forget it! :-)

I also suspect the ENERGY CAPACITY of the various battery sizes is part of the problem. An ultra-efficient AA device may give the run time and output needed but, it is not cost competitive in the mass marketplace.
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I suppose. The D cells have a lot of capacity, but the voltage drop off is pretty serious. The strobe which I suppose uses a capacator, probably is one of the few applications the D cell would be good at. On the other hand, 4xAA has pretty serious capacity as well:

In another CPF thread, I wrote:
2 1/4 oz. = 4 x lithium AA + Aventrade 1.5v adapter, 11,600mAh
5 1/4 oz = 1 x Energizer Alkaline D (E95), 18000mAh
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I guess I'm off to the local places to look for the 4AA to 1D converters.
Click to expand...

I suspect you are going to have a hard time finding them at local places. Pretty much all searches for 4AA to D converters end up here:

Aventrade.com

However, note that these adapters can be a little finicky. Read about it here. I still think this is a valid approach (and very cost effective), but be sure to validate each unit after you load them (refer to link).

Another option is to build your own. CPFer Chief_Wiggum did a very nice design which is covered in this thread. It is very possible he will share the detailed designs with you as long as you don't plan to profit from his effort.

In any case, let us know how you make out.

-john

Edit: I noticed the pics are not gone from Chief's project post. I snapped a few Aventrade vs. Chief W's and posted them here. The Aventrade adapter is black, Chief's is white.
 
ccdog said:
Agreed. Although I think there were some tidbits in there about different types of chemistries, risks, and load characteristics in the case you did try to use them. However, I'm getting the impression your device is a 1xD, which pretty much rules these choices out unless you modify the device (or, unless the device will tollerate that much voltage... that might be a possibility).
Click to expand...

Certainly, the links you provided contained a wealth of information and provided a lot of informational reading that was appreciated very much. The performance and chemistry aspects were very informative as well.

Yes, these devices are 1xD and will not tolerate that much voltage without damage. I am interested in reliability so, over driving them is something I am not willing to do which takes us full circle back to the alkaline battery failure issue which started this.

Yah, I understand. I was kinda thinking about the Glo-Toob FX, but it probably isn't powerful enough and it isn't AA and I don't know how those cells would hold up to the heat. Of course the rest of the Glo-Toob construction is bulletproof (and they are very cool).
Click to expand...

In the past I played with the KRILL "lum sticks" but, they don't serve the purpose or need I have. They work great in a camp site for example where you don't want to trip on a crate of gear but, they do not have the reach I am looking for. I'm looking for for an aircraft type strobe effect - strong, bright, and good reach (miles, not feet) for remote areas and/or tough situations.

I did see some strobe options here that take AA or lithium batteries.
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Thanks for the link! I hadn't seen that place before but, they did have a couple of lights/strobes that look worthy of consideration.

I suppose. The D cells have a lot of capacity, but the voltage drop off is pretty serious. The strobe which I suppose uses a capacator, probably is one of the few applications the D cell would be good at. On the other hand, 4xAA has pretty serious capacity as well:
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Yes, capacity seems to be an issue as is voltage drop. Some devices can take a voltage drop and others can't. The common "coast guard" style strobes you see at a lot of gun shows and other places seem to be very tolerant of poor quality D-cells. My digital camera is not tolerant of voltage drops at all.

I think you hit the nail on the head regarding the capacitor. The units I have are all sealed but, I am pretty sure the capacitor is the only way they are getting the energy spike to drive the device when it is "pulsing". Steady state is a different problem.


In any case, let us know how you make out.

-john

Edit: I noticed the pics are not gone from Chief's project post. I snapped a few Aventrade vs. Chief W's and posted them here. The Aventrade adapter is black, Chief's is white.
Click to expand...

At the moment, Chief_Wiggums converter and the www.para-gear.com options look the most promising.
 
I have one'D'strobe lights,required by law,on my (7) survival suits powered by USCG/SOLAS alkaline(I think)dated batteries,also required by law.
I honestly don't know if these things are any better than the cheapest D cell WalMart sells,but the Coast Guard is proud enough of them to fine me $5000 if I use any other battery or if one of them is past their expiration date.

These things have a white sticker around them with something like USCG/SOLAS-CFR #XXX.XXXX and an expiration date,about three years off when you buy them.Other than that,they look like any other D cell.

They do always work when I test them and they get hot enough,often enough.
Virginia hot anyway.

I don't know where you would find them online,but they are common at marine supply houses that cater to commercial fishermen.
 
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