Advice on Lithium Battery Use from Petzl & Ortovox

There has been much improvement in battery technology recently and consumer awarness of the different types of battery on offer and their different uses. Please read How to choose the right batteries for more information. The new Lithium battery technology has caused a few problems and Petzl and Ortovox have issued advice on using Lithiums.

From Petzl.com News

Limitations on use of AA/LR6 and AAA/LR03 Lithium batteries with headlamps.

This information does not apply to the e+Lite which was designed to work with CR2032 Lithium batteries.

Lithium batteries are lighter and give longer burn times at low temperature than traditional Alkaline batteries.

Due to recent advances in the performance characteristics of Lithium batteries (especially their higher output during discharge), they can cause the lamp to overheat and possibly damage the LEDs.

You can use AA/LR6 Lithium batteries with the following lamps

  • MYO range: MYOBELT SB5 / MYO / MYOLITE.
  • DUO range: DUO LED 14.
  • Others: SAXO / MICRO / ZOOM Halogène.
  • Discontinued headlamps: MYO 5, DUO LED 8.

Attention: the use of Lithium batteries reduces the lifespan of incandescent bulbs.

Do not use Lithium batteries with the following lamps

  • TIKKA / ZIPKA range: TIKKINA / TIKKA / ZIPKA / TACTIKKA / TIKKA PLUS / ZIPKA PLUS / TACTIKKA PLUS / TIKKA XP / TACTIKKA XP / TIKKA XP ATEX / TIKKA XP HAZLOC.
  • MYO range: MYOLITE 3 / MYO 3 noir / MYO XP.
  • DUO range: DUO LED 5.
  • SAXO AQUA.
  • Discontinued headlamps: MYOBELT 3, DUO LED 3.

From Ortovox UK

We absolutely DO NOT recommend lithium batteries. Yes the life of them is much longer, and they are much lighter, but unless you know exactly how much power is left in them, they are potentially dangerous.

When a lithium battery loses power, it drops off very quickly. In receive mode, the beacon uses less power. Switch to transmit, and you may find that although the beacon is working, there is suddenly not enough power to continue transmitting.  Alkaline batteries fade more slowly, giving the user an indication of diminishing useability.

So there you have it. Lithium batteries have their advantages but are not for everything.