AA Lithium Batteries - An Excellent Advance In Battery Technology
Lithium batteries are made in two different types. One is the lithium metal battery which is manufactured using lithium metal. This is not rechargeable and can be used to replace alkaline batteries in your electronic devices. It is particularly handy in the very popular AA size which powers so many devices. Lithium batteries have much longer life and higher capacity then alkaline batteries.
The other type is the lithium ion battery. This is made from lithium compounds rather than the metal itself. These compounds are much more stable than lithium metal and provide an excellent power source which can be recharged at least 500 times. Lithium ion batteries are more expensive than alkaline or lithium metal varieties but due to the fact that they can be recharged so many times they are in fact very economical.
Lithium ion batteries are smaller and lighter than other rechargeable batteries and run at a higher voltage. As a result of the higher voltage many devices can be powered with only one lithium battery, rather than using several of lower voltage. They will also will keep their charge for longer periods and can remain at a high charge level for a number of months.
Due to their complex construction, and smaller manufacturing numbers, lithium ion rechargeable batteries are considerably more costly than most others. It is likely that this price will become lower as popularity increases and manufacturing volumes rise. They are not manufactured in the popular AA, C and D sizes. The reason for this is that they are made in a range of different shapes and sizes to fit particular devices. Each then requires its own special charger. They are not available in standard sizes due to the fact that they must not be recharged with standard battery chargers which are different in voltage.
Standard lithium metal batteries are made in the normal AA, C and D sizes, and can be used to power any device which uses these sizes. They have long shelf life and long usage life and are excellent power sources. They can be used in any electronic device which uses alkaline batteries and will last longer.