Is Camelion brand batteries decent ? Especially the primary lithium cell. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2018, 06:37:17 am
content: As I'm looking to refresh all my handheld T&M gadgets 9V batteries (low current drain devices), I'm looking at lithium primary cell and throwing out all alkaline cells for my T&M stuffs.Aware of Energizer Ultimate Lithium 9V series, its just they're not available here, and also its much-much more expensive when imported, Camelion 9V Lithium is about 6.5 bucks here.Example :https://www.camelion.com/en/products/primary-batteries/lithium-p7tm/9v/

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2018, 07:21:57 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on December 06, 2018, 06:37:17 amI did that recently using about 3 different 9V lithium primary batteries as a test. One of them was rated at nearly 1300mAH (and nearly $15). I got as much out of that as I got out of the Energizer.I'm going back to Alkalines. The Lithium were up to 4 times the price and I didn't get anywhere near double the useable life. Turns out as long as you have relatively low draw, you can milk an Alkaline almost as far as a Lithium will go. Where the Lithium shines is in periodic high drain applications.Don't let me discourage you from giving it a go. Just my (recent) experience.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2018, 07:44:59 am
content: Do you have Varta cells available in your country?

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2018, 04:06:44 pm
content: Quote from: BradC on December 06, 2018, 07:21:57 amThanks for sharing your experience.The reason is, this 9V battery is using the Lithium Thionyl Chloride (LTC) chemistry, that has per cell voltage at 3.7–3.8 V (loaded), hence nominal is at 10,8V (3 cells), and this LTC chemistry is excel for long life, and only suitable for low current drain application.As the common AA or AAA lithium cells, it uses Lithium Iron Disulfide (LID) chemistry that has nominal per cell voltage at 1.4–1.6 V (loaded), and this type is suitable for high current drain application.All my 9V powered meter are rarely used intensively, compared to those AA or AAA powered meters. and for AA & AAA cells, I used intensively Eneloop.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2018, 04:13:33 pm
content: Quote from: BravoV on December 06, 2018, 04:06:44 pmYes, I use those also. My point was the relatively expensive 9V Lithiums haven't outlasted the Alkaline batteries significantly, and certainly not enough to justify the price penalty.I only use them in my meters. It'll be interesting to see if they are worthwhile for you.I'm on the hunt for a decent meter now that'll run on AA or AAA, but my 24 year old Protek 506 just refuses to die.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2018, 04:47:23 pm
content: Quote from: BradC on December 06, 2018, 04:13:33 pmYeah, I got your message and agree with you.Its just what have been bothering me is, even I am aware that 9V alkaline is much-much better than AA or AAA alkaline in "leaking dept", due to the cells construction, its just for certain devices that use 9V cell, that I know that I will be rarely used, like the vintage Simpson 260 analog meter that uses 9V and D 1.5V cells.Just want this kinda of meter once installed and forget it, and will still work for the next 10 years or even more, and with almost zero chance for leaking.So, about the price of this expensive Lithium, this particular brand is about 6.5 buck, say it works as advertised, compare to the Energizer Ultimate which cost > 10 bucks, what do you think ?Quote from: BradC on December 06, 2018, 04:13:33 pmA very biased opinion ... based on AA cells, which is better than AAA cells ... a Fluke 189.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2018, 05:03:02 pm
content: Quote from: BravoV on December 06, 2018, 04:47:23 pmWorth a shot. 5 bucks over 10 years isn't much to quibble about though!I had been looking a the Keysight U1272A, but the OLED displays scare me off. I want to buy a bit of kit and have it still working in 25 years (as after 50 years I'd expect my Protek might not be).Wow, the Fluke ticks all my boxes :- AA batteries- 20A current- 0.05% accuracy on the ranges I care about in DCV & Ohms- External interface for loggingHrm. Discontinued. Replaced by the 289. Jesus I'm glad I was sitting down when I priced that!Oh well, I'll keep looking.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2018, 05:13:50 pm
content: Quote from: BradC on December 06, 2018, 05:03:02 pmIf you hate waiting for your DMM to boot, forget about 289. as I own 287 (similar to 289).Yeah, 189 is discontinued, but its a really nice meter with all the bells & whistles, and has really sharp and big LCD screen, and boot instantly when turned on, thats why this 189 is still highly priced in the market even used.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2018, 03:04:09 pm
content: When I decided to stop using leak-prone alkaline batteries I ended up switching to EBL Lithium ion batteries as 9 volt replacements. It has been a few years now and they have worked well for me. Though if you absolutely need the long shelf life, lithium primary batteries would be better. For anything that is in constant use I decided rechargeable was the way to go.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 07, 2018, 03:08:35 pm
content: Quote from: BradC on December 06, 2018, 05:03:02 pmIt has LCD display.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2018, 11:23:18 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on December 07, 2018, 03:08:35 pmIt does. I meant to type U1273A.