Lithium battery failure

[ollster]

I had a pair of Energizer Lithium Ultimate batteries run out after only 1.5-2 hrs use in my GPS on the long weekend. They were from a pack of 4 and the first pair worked "as expected" and gave me a several days of good use (although to be honest I would've expected them to last longer).

The only thing I can think of is that perhaps they were affected by the cold? It was near freezing for parts of the first couple of days of the trip, although the day I changed them for the old set was warmish in comparison. Has anyone had this happen before?

It's a bit of a pain, and I guess in future I'll be taking 2 or more pairs of spares!

[johnw]

Doesn't sound right, I thought lithiums are supposed to outperform other types in cold conditions. In my experience, in digicams, they are far better than anything else for power and longevity. Maybe a bad batch? I think I'd be asking for a refund.

[eddie the eagle]

Maybe they shorted out in your pack, ollster. Any chance they could have done this?

eddie

[ollster]

Maybe they shorted out in your pack, ollster. Any chance they could have done this?

eddie

Fair question. I had them in a zip lock bag with 2x AAA. Think it was possible?

[Azza]

Oll check the date on the packet (which you've probably thrown out), I'm guessing you bought them at the supermarket?
Could have been in storage or on the shelf for ages, if they've a few years old then that might explain why.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I've been using Lithium for 12months or more, never had this problem.

I'd contact them yourself, you seem good at guilting people into giving you free stuff...

Now is that a dig?? Do I need to add this silly joking thingy to that comment????

[ollster]

I've been using Lithium for 12months or more, never had this problem.

I'd contact them yourself, you seem good at guilting people into giving you free stuff...

Now is that a dig?? Do I need to add this silly joking thingy to that comment????

LOL, I don't give a fat rat's clacker.

I think this may have been just an anomaly. I won't entirely rule out stuffing up and putting the wrong batteries in the bag (you never know...)

And yes, I have already sent an email to Energizer asking what could possibly have caused the issue, and noting that I chose their batteries as I thought they would be reliable blah blah.

And yes Az, I got them from Chemist's Warehouse and I've already throw the package out. I'm not curious enough to dig through the bin.

[eddie the eagle]

Possibility, Ollster.

I work with schoolkids, teaching technical subjects and keep forgetting that I've got coins in my pocket when I absentmindedly stick a 9V battery in there - it warms up pretty quickly.

All it would take is the batteries to touch each other, or another silver battery (or end) to bridge across the two of them, both ends.

A bit unlikely, but possible.

Either that, or if the bag got damp, then it could happen that way.

Cheers,

eddie

[who normally has to take about 15 batteries on a walk (backups for kids that forget theirs.)]

[Blister]

Battery life can be extended in cold conditions by keeping them in your down bag, I wrap mine in glad wrap, so they cant short out. Or you can reverse one battery in your gps, head torch etc so you can't accidentally turn it on. Have you had your gps for long, they are power hungry beasts?

[photohiker]

Could be duds. Send em back, you're likely to get replacements at least.

I've never had poor results with lithium batteries, even in Scotland, so Tassie should be a walk in the park

And yes, always have a backup plan.

[ollster]

The bag certainly wasn't damp on the inside. It was quite dry, and kept inside a screw top container in my pack in a pack liner.

Have you had your gps for long, they are power hungry beasts?

Long enough to know that 2x Lithiums last for around 4-5 days rather than 2 hours.

[Sensei]

Hello All,

I have some experience with testing the stated manufacurers Lithium Iron Cells. My company have used over 500,000 over the years and they were very reliable. There have been some changes to the design made and launched in 2009 which seem to have made the cells less robust. If you drop the cells from about 1m there is a high probability that the cells will not work after the drop. If you measure the cell voltage you can be missled since the open circuit voltage looks good but the cells can no longer provide current. I have carried out extensive tests on the cells and can confirm this is a real issue. I have also tested other manufactures cells and they do not do this however the capacity is not quite as good. So do not drop your product with these cells in it may not work afterwards!