What are the disadvantages of Li-Ion batteries compared with other rechargeable batteries?
Li-Ion batteries are more expensive than similar capacity NiMH or NiCd batteries. This is because they are much more complex to manufacture. Li-ion batteries actually include special circuitry to protect the battery from damage due to overcharging or undercharging. They are also more expensive because they are manufactured in much smaller numbers than NiMH or NiCd batteries. Li-ion batteries are becoming less expensive and over time we should see their price decrease significantly.
Li-Ionbatteries are not available in standard cells sizes (AA, C and D) like NiMH and NiCd batteries.
Li-Ion batteries also require sophisticated chargers that can carefully monitor the charge process. And because of their different shapes and sizes each type of Li-ion battery requires a charger designed to accommodate its particular size. This means Li-Ionbattery chargers are more expensive and more difficult to find than NiMH and NiCd battery chargers.
Are Li-Ionbatteries available in standard sizes like AA , C or D cell size?
No, Li-Ion batteries are not available in standard sizes. We believe this is because it would be too easy for users to inadvertently put them in a charger not designed for Li-Ion batteries creating a potentially dangerous situation. (If an alkaline battery is put into the wrong charger it might leak or even burst, but a Li-Ion battery put into a NiCd or NiMH charger not designed for Li-Ion, might ignite. Also, because Li-ion batteries operate at much higher voltage (typically 3.7V per cell) than the 1.2 to 1.5V of most cell batteries, designing a 1.5V Li-Ion cell would be expensive.
What is the difference between “name brand” (Canon, Nikon, Fuji, etc.) Li-Ionbatteries and the other types?
Like prescription drugs there is often very little difference between name brand Li-Ion batteries and generic Li-Ion batteries. Camera makers often make very little from the sale of the camera itself, but have high profit margins for the accessories, like batteries and flashes. Not all third party batteries are the same quality as the original battery, but many (including those which we sell) are virtually identical.
What is the best way to store Li-Ionbatteries?
Li-Ion batteries can hold a charge for many months. It is best to store a Li-Ion battery with a partial or full charge. Occasionally, a Li-Ion battery with a very low charge is stored for a long period of time (many months) and its voltage slowly drops to below the level at which its built in safety mechanism allows it to be charged again. If the battery is going to be stored for several months it’s a good idea to take it out and recharge it after a few months. Better yet would be to actually use the battery every few months and then leave it partially or fully charged.
If my camera (or other electronic device) uses alkaline batteries can I use Li-Ion batteries?
The answer depends on the particular camera or device. But in many cases you can not. Because the size, shape and voltage of alkaline and Li-Ion batteries are different they are not interchangeable. However, some camera makers have designed some of their cameras in a way that allows the camera to work with either AA size batteries or CRV3 type lithium batteries. If your camera or other device can use different types (chemistries) of batteries the User’s Manual should mention it. Also check here to see if your camera can use the rechargeable CRV3 batteries that we carry. Important – There are several different kinds of rechargeable CRV3 Li-Ionbatteries now available under various brands and they cannot use each others chargers – they are designed as a set and have different charging requirements. This is one area, unlike NiCD and NiMH batteries that you need to get one brand of rechargeable battery, and its matching charger, and stick with it.
Another alternative would be to use an external battery pack of some sort. These are sometimes available with Li-Ion batteries.
If my camera (or other electronic device) uses NiMH or NiCd batteries can I use Li-Ion batteries?
Normally you can not switch between a NiMH or NiCd battery and a Li-Ionbattery in a digital camera. There are some devices specifically designed to use either type of battery, cell phones are the most common example. If you can use either type of battery, it should say so in the User’s Manual.
How should I dispose of Li-Ion batteries?
Li-Ionbatteries, like all rechargeable batteries are recyclable and should be recycled. They should never be incinerated since they might explode. Most places that sell rechargeable batteries will also accept them back for recycling.
