Li-ion Batteries - Charge Retention?

[whenfires]

I am kitting out my EDC and cars with CREE Q5 Mini torches fitted with Ultrafire 14500 Li-ion rechargable batteries. I am wondering if they are left in the boot or glove box of the car, how well will they keep their charge?

[preparedsurrey]

I can't comment on your particular cells but from experience with models and cordless tools whilst they hold their charge better than nicads they do still discharge when unused, they are also sensitive to hot and cold temperature changes, if left alone to self discharge you run the risk of cell damage and them not recharging again.

[Yorkshire Andy]

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/arti ... al_battery

[Deeps]

Not particularly scientific but I've got some in torches that have sat since last winter and they're still 'burning brightly'. If you're leaving them in the car you could have some standard AA's as well maybe.

[whenfires]

From Andy's link:

the self-discharge is less than half compared to nickel-cadmium

That's quite an improvement so they stand a good chance of lasting a while.

As i am pretty new to prepping, I am going to have to develop a check/maintenance schedule for things so the rechargables will have to be built into that. I have AAs as well in the car/GHB in the car I use daily but I think I will add some to my wife's car as well just as a backup.

[Deeps]

From Andy's link:

the self-discharge is less than half compared to nickel-cadmium

That's quite an improvement so they stand a good chance of lasting a while.

As i am pretty new to prepping, I am going to have to develop a check/maintenance schedule for things so the rechargables will have to be built into that. I have AAs as well in the car/GHB in the car I use daily but I think I will add some to my wife's car as well just as a backup.

Like anything I suppose, there are good ones and bad ones, I've got a couple of Nitecore ones and 8 cheaper ones, so far I've not noticed any real difference but I've not done any proper trials or anything. There is quite a price range, same with the 18650's, I'm guessing some will be better than others.

[sniper 55]

I haven't got those batteries yet (on order) but I use a lot of the 18650s which are pretty much the same only bigger, they seem to last pretty well, certainly a few months without issues, I'd suggest some sort of system where you recharge every so often, that and keep a few packs of cheap AA as back up.