Tested: Modern battery technology advantages

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Last week I took a Hybrid vehicle class which consisted of the powertrain technology, principles, how it all works, and how to work on it. Although the vehicle I learned on is an older model with an older battery pack the fundamentals are still the same across the Hybrid technology board. The vehicle in question was a 2010 Fusion Hybrid equipped with a Nickel Metal Hydride battery (NiMh) There are only 3 in our fleet however newer models are projected to arrive. The newer models available today are equipped with Lithium ion batteries.

With that out of the way just the other day I was given an LED headlamp in order to be better equipped to perform my job as a mechanic rather than relying on picking up a flash light when my hands could potentially be covered in grease. With an LED headlamp I can turn it on and let it burn without worry of grabbing it to shine where I need it or trying to get it into position to shine where I am working.

With that out of the way, I was given the option of installing standard Alkaline AAA batteries (Free) or installing a battery type of my choice. After going through the Hybrid vehicle course I wanted to put together a bit of a test to see how light weight these new Lithium ion batteries are. We all know of the incredibly long run time they provide compared to their standard counterparts. How do they stack up in the weight department? Read on to find out…


First up the LED headlamp that will be used.

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0001_zpso0xi14pl.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0002_zpsa3cek3ty.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0004_zpsyghaslxo.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0006_zpsigbmbyxi.jpg

Lets weigh these batteries and see how they stack up. I measured in Grams as well as ounces. In the following pictures you will be able to see how each battery weighs.

First up: Alkaline

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0007_zpscnibeyex.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0008_zpsgjyjhdax.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0012_zpsz7fvxeb8.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0013_zps79xtzhwd.jpg

Lithium ion:

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0008_zpsgjyjhdax.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0010_zpsefjrzmql.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0010_zpsefjrzmql.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0014_zpsrke2bith.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0015_zpsjjayca3q.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0016_zpszbhm1nsb.jpg


After getting through the weighing process of the two different battery types I found out that even 4 Lithium ion batteries are lighter than 3 standard Alkaline batteries.

Now time to weigh the headlamp unit. Again in Grams and Ounces.

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0017_zpscfhguis8.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0018_zps7ygehfyw.jpg


Now loaded with the different battery types in different units of measure.

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0019_zpswzcnmjpz.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0020_zpsyvmjypty.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0021_zpsbnvncmem.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0023_zpstedh1fnf.jpg


Here is just a sample of the light given off in a dark room.

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0026_zpsb2altasz.jpg

Now pictures when looking at my test panel.

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0028_zpszg9ytvxv.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0029_zpsm0z9l2u1.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0034_zpsymmkeza7.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0035_zpsv7bcyfit.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0036_zpsus3as8ku.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0037_zps6o7ijnvj.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0038_zpsnyvwszrh.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0043_zpsyvxrnxit.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Battery%20weight/DSC_0044_zpsimykrjsv.jpg


Depending on how you equip your battery operated device it will surely be noticeable depending on how you decide to equip it.

Conclusion:

Not only does a Lithium ion battery offer tremendous weight savings over a standard Alkaline battery, it can provide much longer run times in virtually any scenario. This of course comes with a higher price tag.


Best Regards,
Mike

[Sicoupe]

Nice write up Mike! Thanks for sharing my friend!

[builthatch]

in my review for my Black Diamond spot on Amazon, i strongly recommend Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries. i've been using them since release. you made a great choice. the thing is, i don't use it every day - not even close - so those are imo the best choice for sporadic use.

if i were using something every day that used AA or AAAs, i'd still stick with the highest capacity NiMH i could find. NiMH rechargeables are what is mostly available now in rechargeables - they can usually be charged in 15-30 minutes. for lighting devices that i use more frequently, i use (almost) 10 year old 2500 mAh Energizer AA or 900 mAh AAA NiMHs and an old Duracell Accu 30 minute charger and they all still work great (now they have really nice NiMH out but the capacity still hasn't changed that much, though they do store power better/longer). while the non-rechargeable lithiums are exquisite at what they do, they are expensive, even when purchased smartly on Amazon or whatever. NiMH are durable, cheap and perform really well as long as you don't have to keep them in something for a long time without use/recharging. this is because NiMH lose power in storage. yes, the newest cells are great at holding power, but that's compared to other NiMH. they are still nothing like lithium in that department. that's one downside. the other is that they aren't 1.5 volt - they are technically 1.2. but...generally, the small voltage difference is negligible in devices that use these batteries, especially when fully charged as they usually hover around 1.4 V

the RC world has had access to rechargeable lithiums (ion and polymer) and their associated chargers for a long time, even cells that are very close to AA and AAA size-wise. in fact, those cells are what they usually wire up inside battery packs for computers and such. the problem has been that li cells are not on the 1.5 volt format, they are 3.7. there are some modified rechargeable AA and AAA cells out there that run at 1.5 V but they are too expensive and their benefit at that lower voltage is nil compared to the NiMH technology out there.

[Legacykid]

Very cool write up. Thanks for sharing

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Nice write up Mike! Thanks for sharing my friend!

Thanks Kyle!


in my review for my Black Diamond spot on Amazon, i strongly recommend Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries. i've been using them since release. you made a great choice. the thing is, i don't use it every day - not even close - so those are imo the best choice for sporadic use.

if i were using something every day that used AA or AAAs, i'd still stick with the highest capacity NiMH i could find. NiMH rechargeables are what is mostly available now in rechargeables - they can usually be charged in 15-30 minutes. for lighting devices that i use more frequently, i use (almost) 10 year old 2500 mAh Energizer AA or 900 mAh AAA NiMHs and an old Duracell Accu 30 minute charger and they all still work great (now they have really nice NiMH out but the capacity still hasn't changed that much, though they do store power better/longer). while the non-rechargeable lithiums are exquisite at what they do, they are expensive, even when purchased smartly on Amazon or whatever. NiMH are durable, cheap and perform really well as long as you don't have to keep them in something for a long time without use/recharging. this is because NiMH lose power in storage. yes, the newest cells are great at holding power, but that's compared to other NiMH. they are still nothing like lithium in that department. that's one downside. the other is that they aren't 1.5 volt - they are technically 1.2. but...generally, the small voltage difference is negligible in devices that use these batteries, especially when fully charged as they usually hover around 1.4 V

the RC world has had access to rechargeable lithiums (ion and polymer) and their associated chargers for a long time, even cells that are very close to AA and AAA size-wise. in fact, those cells are what they usually wire up inside battery packs for computers and such. the problem has been that li cells are not on the 1.5 volt format, they are 3.7. there are some modified rechargeable AA and AAA cells out there that run at 1.5 V but they are too expensive and their benefit at that lower voltage is nil compared to the NiMH technology out there.

Thank you for providing valuable feedback on the thread. Much appreciated.

As I do a bit of photography (my speed light requires fast acting power) and have a few Apple products, I always spend the extra money when equipping my tools with the Lithium ion batteries.


Very cool write up. Thanks for sharing

Thank you sir. My pleasure.

[oldmodman]

For me, battery choice comes down to one question first.
Price per cell.
Answer?
Costco.
A 48 AA pack at Costco is right at $10.00
Yes, the many times more expensive batteries do last longer. But not as many time longer as the price suggests they should.
And Kirkland (Costco's house brand) also has AAA batteries. equally cheap too.
If the really good batteries actually did hold their voltage 11 times as long I might invest in a few. But they don't. If you have time (and a copy) read the AA battery test in Consumer Reports.
And all the batteries at Costco are Alkaline.

[builthatch]

For me, battery choice comes down to one question first.
Price per cell.
Answer?
Costco.
A 48 AA pack at Costco is right at $10.00
Yes, the many times more expensive batteries do last longer. But not as many time longer as the price suggests they should.
And Kirkland (Costco's house brand) also has AAA batteries. equally cheap too.
If the really good batteries actually did hold their voltage 11 times as long I might invest in a few. But they don't. If you have time (and a copy) read the AA battery test in Consumer Reports.
And all the batteries at Costco are Alkaline.

alkaline batteries are not cost effective in remotely high drain devices, even those alkalines purported to be worthy of such applications. NiMH are way more practical and cost effective. you get hundreds if not thousands of recharges, and they can handle the draw demands on top of that.

first question should be application, otherwise you very well may be wasting money, no matter how cheap the cells are.

imo the only applications nowadays that make sense for alkaline are long term, low draw applications.

[SonOfOC]

Very nice information Mike! Battery tech improves everyday, especially the battery technology in cars like the Tesla and BMW i8.