[Elecraft] Lithium Batteries

[Alan WB6ZQZ]

The SureFire flashlights are a premium product, and they use the 123 type 3 
volt Lithium batteries. These lights are very popular in the police 
business. I carry a 2 cell in my briefcase - it puts out a brilliant 6 watt 
beam for over an hour that is as bright as a 5D Maglite, and yet it fits 
just about completely in your hand. The shelf life of the lithiums is 
excellent, so it is always ready to go. Part of my emergency kit.

The 1.25 per cell price there is the best I have found for 123 type lithium 
batteries. These would be great for an external pack for the KX1, but they 
are larger diameter and shorter than AA's and would not fit inside, in 
addition to being 3 volts instead of 1.5, as was noted before.

The energy capacity of the 123 type Lithiums is quite high - they are not 
the 'special' chemistry that Eveready uses to lower the Lithium voltage to 
1.5 volts. Also the Eveready AA's contain current limiting elements that 
may add some weight. So I suspect that energy per unit weight is slightly 
higher on the 123's.

David A. Belsley wrote:

 >  Just crossed a web page 
<http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/pgrfnbr/273/sesent/ 00>
 > peddling lithium batteries at $15 for a box of 12 ($90 for a box of 72). 
That's $1.25 apiece, which seems
 > pretty good. I know nothing at all about "Surefire".

Just a satisfied customer,

-- Alan WB6ZQZ