looking for best source for aa lithium

[ebent]

Please help provide the best source for aa lithium batteries. I'm looking for the most money effecient choice. I don't mind paying more up front as long as I get the best bang for the buck. Thanks for your ideas.

 

[Ypedal]

are you looking for rechargeable 14500 's 3.7v ? or non-rechargable 1.7v AA ?

for what purpose ?

 

[ebent]

Thanks for asking. I should have provided that info. I need non rechargeable 1.7v aa. I'm using them for a light on my non electric ride.

 

[Lemlux]

Office Depot, if I recall correctly, normally charges $9.99 for a 4 pack. Combine that with a $10.00 off on $50.00 purchase or $15 off on $75 purchase coupon and that's usually the best deal.

Alternatively, I have purchased many NiZn AA 1.6V nominal Powergenics rechargeables for <$1.50 @ from time to time when offered by oddlots. They are specced at 2500 watt hours, and have very little voltage sag at high discharge currents. Unused, they do have a high self discharge rate and need to be recharged monthly or when the unloaded voltage drops from about 1.85V off the charger to 1.68V. I use them in my electric beard trimmer and nose/ear hair trimmer along with some unregulated AA incandescent flashlights.

edit: I mention the NiZn because I assume that you are willing to pay the premium for lithium AA primary cells because you have a light which requires either (a) high current delivery or (b) higher voltage for an indcandescent bulb. If my assumption is wrong all the comments about rechargeable Nimh below are right on point.

 

[wesnewell]

Thanks for asking. I should have provided that info. I need non rechargeable 1.7v aa. I'm using them for a light on my non electric ride.

You can recharge standard alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, whatever batteries many times. Don't waste money on the ones sold as rechargeable. They're all rechargeable, even the cheap ones. I know I've recharged mine at least 50 times using an old RS charger I got about 30 years ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rechargeable_battery#Table_of_rechargeable_battery_types

 

[Ypedal]

Thanks for asking. I should have provided that info. I need non rechargeable 1.7v aa. I'm using them for a light on my non electric ride.

How many cells does the light take ? ( I assume 3.. but pls confirm )

 

[ebent]

4 cells

 

[Ypedal]

any specific reason you canot use nimh AA cells ?

 

[ebent]

I can use any kind. My assumption was that lithium would be most effecient. If, for my purposes nimh will work then I'll get it. Do you know of the best place to get them? Thanks. Also which is best brand.

 

[Ypedal]

if you can find them locally.. get sanyo Eneloop cells.. they keep their charge nicely.

I just ordered a bunch from all-battery, the knockoff version, should get them this week and be able to test them...

an alternative is to solder a wire to each leg of the light and use external rechargeable lithium cells... i've hacked up all my old flashlights like this !

 

[Kin]

With NiMh, you will have two options. You can get slow self-discharge kind, most well known brand is eneloop. They have ~2000mah and basically you can consider them stable over time, you dont need to worry about not charging them for a month.

If you're willing to charge weekly, they you can get any old decent brand (Rayovac is probably what I'd get as a "quality-non-premium-brand") and they'll have 2500mah. But they self-discharge more (3-6% per day? I dont remember exactly). But, if you're charging weekly anyway, they're a better choice. Another option actually is "amazon basics." they sell competitive price NiMh

If you want to use alkaline batteries, and recharge them, you do have that option. But the key to abusing alkaline that way is *do not use until empty.* They behave semi decently as rechargables if you don't ever go below 20%. They'll still perform well from 20% to 0%, so there's no easy way to pay attention to that except to remember to be kind to them and top off frequently. I still don't recharge more than 10 times with alkalines; they get sucky fast. But it does help to know that it can be done .

 

[Lemlux]

I use Sanyo Eneloops in all my current regulated AA devices. The 2000 mAh versions handle high currents exceptionally well plus they have the lowest rated self discharge rates on the market: 85% of rated capacity after one year on the shelf and 75% after 3 years.

A number of the NiMh cells rated at 2400 to 2700 mAh have decent current handling capability, but self discharge much more quickly. If you reload cells within a week or so before a bike ride that requires > 2000 mAh capacity these can be a good solution. Be careful to make sure that the cells you purchase will fit in your light. Many of the higher capacity cells have slightly greater circumferences to allow greater volume in order to acheive the greater capacity.

 

[ebent]

Thanks all for your kindness and considerations. I've ordered the sanyo eneloops 2000 mah.

 

[IBScootn]

You can recharge standard alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, whatever batteries many times. Don't waste money on the ones sold as rechargeable. They're all rechargeable, even the cheap ones. I know I've recharged mine at least 50 times using an old RS charger I got about 30 years ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rechargeable_battery#Table_of_rechargeable_battery_types

OK, that sounds fun. Assuming you are using a 30 yr old Ni-Cd charger, how long does it take to charge a standard alkaline AA cell?