[Elecraft] Experience with off brand Lithium AAs?

[peter gerba]

Hi Vic;

Ya, stuff doesn't make any sense.. I've been told that there are but 3 or 4
actual (major) manufactures of consumer batteries in world and that Union
Carbide is the only large one here. All the "branding" is from the 3 or 4
makers. Do you have any idea if this is true?

The AA Photo E^2 Cells I use are Eveready, made in USA, the CR 123 "E" Li
are Konnoc made, who knows where, The Dura Cells are made here (and they do
own up and will pay for camera repair do to leakage). The Li for my Kodak
Digital are made in both Japan and China.. got me.

I use a 18 Ah Power-Sonic Lead Acid on the K2 and have some small L-A
batteries on the bench and they are all made in China.

I can't keep track any longer. I too will pay a premium for quality, if I
can find it.

The only rule that is golden with batteries is.. inspect carefully before
installing. If they are going to leak they usually will show signs and be
low in voltage. In a normal batch most batteries test well over the voltage
Spec. If they are under, I toss them. Lithium Ion will work well long past
their expiration date i.e., the voltage will be up. Just check the casing
for any slight bulge before using them. I'll put the out of date Li in a
flashlight not a camera.

pete

-----Original Message-----
From: Vic K2VCO [mailto:vic at rakefet.com]
Sent: Sunday, July 02, 2006 2:36 PM
To: peter gerba; Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Experience with off brand Lithium AAs?


peter gerba wrote:
> He
> told me that over 90% of cameras submitted for repair, due to battery
> damage, had the Cu top brand Alkaline in the camera. I don't know the
sales
> figures for this brand and haven't seen the "paid for" repair stats, but I
> don't think they own the market. So, there might be something to this
> report.  I've seen others leak but, be careful when using the Cu brand.
And
> yes, I do use them.

Funny.  I've had several leakage incidents, all with other brands of
Alkaline cells.  I decided to switch to this brand because I have never
had an incident with them!

I guess my statistically insignificant anecdotal evidence is...not
significant.  But I wish the battery manufacturers would try harder in
this area, given the amount of damage it can do.  I would definitely pay
a premium for leak-free batteries.
--
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco

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