Beacon Batteries

[surf88]

I stuck my extra Energizer Lithium batteries I had for my camera in my beacon last week when I was up in the ravine. I know that these kind of batteries are not recomended for some uses, does anybody know if they are ok to use in my beacon?

[skiyak777]

No, at least not for some beacons. I had some in my BCA tracker a few years ago and it would transmit, but not work in search mode. Thread:
http://timefortuckerman.com/forums/s...ithium+battery

[yuckster]

In addition, it's generally not recommended for most beacons (unless the instructions specifically state otherwise) because the lithium batteries have a sharp voltage cutoff as they grow dead, instead of a steady decline, and the battery meters aren't designed for this. suddenly your beacon goes dead without warning.

[Telemark]

Only Alkalines in beacons. That's what they are designed and more importantly calibrated for.

[BladeGirl]

I admit to disappointment upon reading this thread. I read the title too quickly and thought it was about bacon batteries.

-BG

[surf88]

Thanks. I'm glad I asked. I've got a Mammut (Barryvox Pulse) I'll have to check if theres any thing in the manual.

[RR]

Steve warned us to avoid lithium batts in the EMS AVI I course a couple season's ago.

[NtrentT]

Originally Posted by RR

Steve warned us to avoid lithium batts in the EMS AVI I course a couple season's ago.

I remember that.

Little bit of trivia: Steve isn't with EMS any longer according to his most recent email.

[PWDR8S]

What Yuckster said... I've had catastrophic failure with lithiums in a beacon... it overheated and cooked the F%$#^r! Use Duracells alkalines... I find those to have the longest life in the cold without serious deteriorisation. Energisers are OK but don't seem to hold well against the cold. BUT remember, the beacon is supposed to be close to the body.

Avoid lithiums! Except for digicams and other nonlife saving devices.

[Sledhaulingmedic]

Lithiums=Bad!

They seem to be good for flash applications. I beleive they have a very low internal resistance. This seems to be a problem for other devices, transceivers, xenon bulbs in flashlights, probably some others. Good quality alkalines are the way to go.