Shelf life of small lithium batteries

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Shelf life of small lithium batteries

Rikkitic

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#272238 15-Jun-2020 23:06

Bunnings sells sealed smoke alarms warranted to last 10 years. But their loose lithium batteries (9 volt and AA) are only guaranteed for 3 years. Can someone explain this discrepancy to me?

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Bung

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#2505552 16-Jun-2020 02:05

Which batteries are you looking at? "Lithium" describes a wide range of batteries. The smoke alarms may not be using the same lithium technology as the AA. In any case the nonrechargable Energiser Ultimate lithium iron (not ion) AA have a claimed 20 year shelf life.

jarledb

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#2505554 16-Jun-2020 02:51

Just a tip: Get a Cavius 10-year smoke alarm and you save yourself a lot of trouble. They are all tested before they leave the factory, so no problem detectors ending up causing you trouble (like false alarms).

You can find them at Mitre10 and some other retailers. One of the founders is based here in NZ, and you can read more about their smoke detectors here: cavius.co.nz

I am not affiliated with Cavius in New Zealand, but I am part owner of the nordic distributor. Have been in the business of selling smoke detectors for 18 years now, and never seen any other smoke alarms with so few problems.

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Mattnzl

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#2505558 16-Jun-2020 06:34

I agree with previous poster - I bought 4 "10 year" unknown brand smoke alarms from Mitre 10 and the unbranded 9v lithiums in them all died within 3 years.

I'm too pissed about it to buy Cavius yet so have resorted to alkalines for now 😆

Bung

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#2505559 16-Jun-2020 06:36

Some Cavius appear to have replaceable 5 year batteries and others have sealed 10 year batteries. I have found some online comment that the batteries aren't lasting 10 years. Given that there are different models is this just user confusion? Do you get 10 years out of a sealed unit?

jarledb

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#2505738 16-Jun-2020 13:52

Bung: Some Cavius appear to have replaceable 5 year batteries and others have sealed 10 year batteries. I have found some online comment that the batteries aren't lasting 10 years. Given that there are different models is this just user confusion? Do you get 10 years out of a sealed unit?

As far as I know all the Cavius 10-year smoke alarms come with a 10 year warranty for the battery, so if you get a problem you should take it up with the place you purchased it or the distributor.

I would expect them to last at least 10 years.

BTW: It is highly recommended to replace your smoke alarm every 10 years.

Rikkitic

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#2505766 16-Jun-2020 14:29

jarledb:

Just a tip: Get a Cavius 10-year smoke alarm and you save yourself a lot of trouble. They are all tested before they leave the factory, so no problem detectors ending up causing you trouble (like false alarms).

You can find them at Mitre10 and some other retailers. One of the founders is based here in NZ, and you can read more about their smoke detectors here: cavius.co.nz

I am not affiliated with Cavius in New Zealand, but I am part owner of the nordic distributor. Have been in the business of selling smoke detectors for 18 years now, and never seen any other smoke alarms with so few problems.

I had a 10-year alarm. Don't remember the brand. The damned thing started going off every few seconds and there was no way to shut it up since I couldn't remove the battery. I finally had to smash it with a hammer. I am not going that route again.

However, my question was not related to smoke alarms. I wanted some long-lasting lithium batteries for radios and torches in the emergency kit. I thought about the 10-year smoke alarm guarantee and I remembered seeing lithium batteries at Bunnings in AA, AAA and 9 volt format. So I thought they might be good but I was told that they were only guaranteed for 3 years. Hence my question: why this difference? If there are lithium batteries that last 10 years, why are they not for sale? Bunnings couldn't tell me so I thought I would ask here.

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nitro

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#2505840 16-Jun-2020 15:30

Rikkitic:

However, my question was not related to smoke alarms. I wanted some long-lasting lithium batteries for radios and torches in the emergency kit. I thought about the 10-year smoke alarm guarantee and I remembered seeing lithium batteries at Bunnings in AA, AAA and 9 volt format. So I thought they might be good but I was told that they were only guaranteed for 3 years. Hence my question: why this difference? If there are lithium batteries that last 10 years, why are they not for sale? Bunnings couldn't tell me so I thought I would ask here.

They are available and they are for sale. Both the batteries and the torches are not the run-of-the-mill types that you see at your local supermarket.

The torches are used by hobbyists, enthusiasts, as well as military and law enforcement. The 10-year-shelf-life batteries are of the CR123A type. Olight and Fenix are among the 'common' brands of this type of torches.

Other torches use a variety of Li-ion batteries of the type 14500, 18650, 21700, etc. These batteries need user care and maintenance for use in torches - appropriate charger, for starters. Some of these can also use CR123A.

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Bung

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#2505984 16-Jun-2020 17:46

The Eveready Ultimate lithium 9v claim 10 year shelf life and the AA claim up to 20 years. Bunnings list both, I think Countdown have the AAs. The retailer's warranty and potential shelf life won't be the same. I keep some of the AA with a camera that normally uses rechargeable AA in case I get caught with no charged batteries.

neb

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#2506616 17-Jun-2020 13:54

Bung: Some Cavius appear to have replaceable 5 year batteries and others have sealed 10 year batteries. I have found some online comment that the batteries aren't lasting 10 years. Given that there are different models is this just user confusion? Do you get 10 years out of a sealed unit?

See this thread for more on Cavius smoke alarms.

Bung

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#2506684 17-Jun-2020 14:36

That's where I answered myself. Cavius admitted to some faulty units and have a procedure to get a replacement.