Lithium AA batteries

[onda2]

Is there any issue using AA lithium batteries for players that accept AA?

[KrazyIvan]

I do not beleive so. Just don't try to charge them with the player.

[MDX-400]

It is pretty much pointless to use an [Energizer*] lithium AA in an MD unit though. Though they do have slightly more capacity than even the Energizer e^2 Titanium and Duracell Ultra alkaline AAs (which are the highest capacity alkaline AAs) where the lithiums excel is really in high drain applications. MD is typically low current/low drain with the exception of NetMD transfers. A lithum AA won't get you much more performance and the price difference isn't worth it. In fact the e^2 Titanium and Ultra alkalines aren't worth it over standard Energizer or Duracell alkalines, respectively.

The best way to go is pretty much NiMH these days. NiMH has very good high-current handling characteristics and is rechargeable. NiMH AA's are up to 2500mAh these days which is very near that of alkaline AAs in low-current application. In high current application (.5C or more) an NiMH AA wins hands down against an alkline as well, plus again its rechargeable.

The only place lithuim AA really beats NiMH is in overall capacity (even in high current application) and low-temperature performance. However lithium AAs are not rechargeable which is a significant detriment. On the other hand, lithuims are good for an "in a bind" situation where you can't charge batteries and need high-current capacity (as in a digital camera when your batts run down).

*I noted "Energizer lithium AA" because Energizer is the only company to have made a 1.5V lithium cell and they have the patent on it. In the industrial field there are other manufacturers of lithium AA-sized cells but they are 3V and definitely not compatible with consumer electronics gear using standard 1.5V AAs.

[MZ-1]

Bit of history here: I used the Enegizer Lithium AA batteries in the Sony MZ-R3 for a number of years for concert recordings. The R3 had relatively high current draw and I could easily record a complete concert without fears of running out of battery power. The original Ni-MH batteries were rated at 1100mah, if I recall. The R3 now uses the 2500mah Ni-MH. At the time though, those Lithiums were very much welcome (and light in weight!). Expensive little boogers though.

Paul

[onda2]

Thanks for the replies, excellent information

I have an older unit (MZ-G750) that shipped with NiCd batteries. After reading some posts it seemed that if I were to use NiMH the unit would "blow-up".

Perhaps someone could set the record straight.

[MZ-1]

Nothing wrong with using *charged* NiMH batteries in the unit, however, using the charge circuit designed for NiCd with NiMH may be a problem.

Each battery type has its own recharge characteristics and a properly designed recharge circuit will adhere to those characteristics.

What one can "get away with" is difficult to tell.

It could be, in the long run, less than optimum battery performance or decreased life.

Paul

[onda2]

Thanks again...great information.

I think I'll stick with the NiCd batteries, until I can upgrade to a newer unit.

[MDX-400]

Thanks again...great information. 

I think I'll stick with the NiCd batteries, until I can upgrade to a newer unit.

The main disadvantage of going with NiCd instead of NiMH is that the highest rated NiCd AA (1000mAh) is only about 40% the capacity of the higest rated NiMH AA (2500mAh), meaning you'd get 2-3 times the play/record times with an NiMH AA. However you would have to use a separate NiMH charger--if you have other devices that you could use NiMH rechargeables in, then it wouldn't be so bad to pick up a low-cost slow charger and some batteries.