{"id":14469,"date":"2015-08-27T19:29:00","date_gmt":"2015-08-27T23:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=14469"},"modified":"2015-08-27T19:29:00","modified_gmt":"2015-08-27T23:29:00","slug":"primary-ion-and-polymer-a-lithium-battery-primer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/08\/primary-ion-and-polymer-a-lithium-battery-primer\/","title":{"rendered":"Primary, Ion, and Polymer: a lithium battery primer"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"EnergizerLithium\"<\/a>

Energizer ultimate lithium cells are designed to be a lighter, longer-life direct replacement for the AA alkaline battery.<\/p><\/div>\n

Lithium primary, lithium ion, lithium polymer…want to know the differences between\u2013and varied uses for\u2013these diverse types of\u00a0lithium batteries? You’re not alone…so did I.<\/p>\n

Recently, a reader asked about the suitability\u00a0of using\u00a0AA Lithium batteries<\/a>\u00a0in a Tecsun radio. \u00a0Several knowledgeable\u00a0Post<\/em> contributors\u2013including Richard Langley, Ken Hansen, DL4NO, Eric Cottrell, and Mark Piaskiewicz\u2013responded, and a discussion of\u00a0the differences in various lithium cells and their chemistry followed.<\/p>\n

I was quite intrigued by this discussion, and\u00a0wanted to learn\u00a0more; a bit of research ensued. The wonderful\u00a0folks at Zbattery.com<\/a>\u00a0came to my aid, clarifying\u00a0the compositions of these various batteries and enlightening me regarding their unique applications.<\/p>\n

Following\u00a0is a (nutshell) primer describing\u00a0what I’ve recently\u00a0gleaned\u00a0from\u00a0these experts on the subject of lithium batteries. First, a\u00a0brief\u00a0disclaimer: the scope of this article is modest, explaining briefly the roles and compositions of the most common lithium batteries used by consumers and hobbyists\/enthusiasts. So, if you’d like an even more detailed discussion of batteries, please check out the\u00a0Battery University website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With that said, there are generally\u00a0three types of lithium cells:<\/p>\n

1. Primary Lithium (non-rechargeable)<\/h2>\n
\"Though<\/a>

Though this SAFT battery looks like a typical 1.5 V AA, it produces 3.6V and will fry most radios.<\/p><\/div>\n

Primary Lithium batteries are single-use and should not be recharged under any circumstances.\u00a0<\/em>These\u00a0batteries have a\u00a0high charge density (i.e., a long life), and as a result, cost more per unit than other single-use (disposable) batteries,\u00a0such as\u00a0alkalines.<\/p>\n

Primary lithium cells generally produce 3.6 to 3.7 volts; however, there are manufacturers (Energizer<\/a> and Duracell<\/a>,\u00a0to name two) who have developed cell chemistry that lowers this voltage down to 1.5 volts per cell, thus creating\u00a0a safe, direct replacement for the common AA alkaline battery.<\/p>\n

Unless you are purchasing a battery with a AA form factor from\u00a0Energizer<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Duracell<\/a>, you should double check the voltage of the battery you are purchasing. There are many\u00a0manufacturers who produce a 3.6 volt primary lithium batteries that have the same dimensions, or form factor, of an AA battery (see photo right), but are used in specialty medical, military, industrial and testing applications in\u00a0which voltage requirements are higher. \u00a0These cannot be used interchangeably with conventional AAs, as they will cause harm to a device.<\/em><\/p>\n

In other words, do your research <\/em>when\u00a0<\/em>purchasing a primary lithium cell! Make sure the voltage matches what\u00a0your electronic device requires\u2013or as Post<\/em> contributor, Richard Langley, puts it\u2013“Caveat emptor!”<\/em> (Buyer, beware!)<\/p>\n

2. Lithium\u00a0Ion (rechargeable)<\/h2>\n

\"Lithium<\/a>Lithium Ion batteries are currently one of the most popular rechargeable batteries for consumer electronics on the battery market. There are a number of Lithium Ion variations with their own unique\u00a0chemistries\u2013and\u00a0their own unique characteristics\u2013but in general these have a high energy density, a modest\u00a0memory effect<\/a>, and exhibit only a gradual\u00a0loss of charge when not in use.<\/p>\n

Generally speaking, Li-ion batteries are not available in voltages most radios and other electronics would need, from, say,\u00a0AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V alkaline.\u00a0There are manufacturers who produce Li-ion varieties in a AA form factor (they look like AAs), but which\u00a0produce more than double (3.6V) the peak voltage\u00a0of an alkaline AA (1.5V);\u00a0thus, these lithium batteries, too, can only be used in devices designed around these higher voltages\u2013such as specialty flashlights, military, industrial, and medical equipment.<\/p>\n

There are a number of radio manufacturers using slim Li-ion battery packs like the one in the image above.<\/p>\n

3. Lithium Polymer (rechargeable)<\/h2>\n
\"Most<\/a>

Most LiPo batteries come in a “pouch” format, designed for specific applications,<\/p><\/div>\n

Lithium Polymer (LiPo, LIP, Li-poly) are rechargeable battery packs that generally produce 3.6 – 3.8 volts when charged. LiPo packs have much of the same charge and \u00a0discharge characteristics of Li-ion batteries, however, they are lighter in weight and\u00a0can be designed to fit almost any shape.<\/p>\n

LiPo batteries have a very strong following in the world of\u00a0radio-controlled aircraft and cars\u2013their feather-light weight as well as gradual discharge curve render LiPos\u00a0almost ideal for these applications. LiPo packs are also used in consumer electronic, solar, and GPS applications, to name a few. LiPo pack variations are currently being considered\u00a0for use\u00a0in electric and hybrid vehicles.<\/p>\n

Summary<\/h2>\n

And so, returning\u00a0to our original post questioning\u00a0the use of Lithium cells in reader Philip Dickinson’s Tecsun PL-606<\/a>, the Tecsun representative was absolutely correct: \u00a0these batteries, it turns out, are not<\/em> suited for this application, as the voltage is too high for safe use in this Tecsun.<\/p>\n

Since I didn’t have a link to the batteries Philip purchased, I assumed Philip might be\u00a0referring to Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries<\/a>,\u00a0which are direct 1.5V \u00a0replacements for alkaline AA batteries\u00a0(and\u00a0why I use an Energizer graphic in the post).<\/p>\n

At any rate, it appears\u00a0that Philip purchased 3.6V primary lithium cells in a AA cylindrical form factor. If he does pop these AA lithiums in his PL-606, it will surely fry the radio as the voltage is more than double<\/em> what this radio actually requires.<\/p>\n

Hopefully, Philip can return these lithium cells and replace them with the\u00a0Energizer<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Duracell<\/a>\u00a01.5 V AA variety.<\/p>\n

Philip, thanks for writing in with this question; learning about lithiums has\u00a0been most interesting!\u00a0 And hopefully, this primer you’ve invoked will save other\u00a0radios from harm: readers, do check your voltage requirements before you insert those lithiums.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lithium primary, lithium ion, lithium polymer…want to know the differences between\u2013and varied uses for\u2013these diverse types of\u00a0lithium batteries? You’re not alone…so did I. Recently, a reader asked about the suitability\u00a0of using\u00a0AA Lithium batteries\u00a0in a Tecsun radio. \u00a0Several knowledgeable\u00a0Post contributors\u2013including Richard Langley, Ken Hansen, DL4NO, Eric Cottrell, and Mark Piaskiewicz\u2013responded, and a discussion of\u00a0the differences in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[545,627,3,553,43],"tags":[4142,4141,4140,4135,4143,4145,4144],"class_list":["post-14469","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ham-radio","category-how-to","category-news","category-preparedness","category-shortwave-radio","tag-li-poly","tag-lip","tag-lipo","tag-lithium-batteries","tag-lithium-batteries-differences","tag-lithium-batteries-primer","tag-lithium-ion-batteries"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-3Ln","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14455,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/08\/tecsun-cautions-against-using-lithium-aa-cells-in-the-pl-606\/","url_meta":{"origin":14469,"position":0},"title":"Tecsun cautions against using Lithium AA cells in the PL-606","author":"Thomas","date":"August 24, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"SWling Post reader,\u00a0Philip Dickinson, recently contacted me\u00a0with the following question: \"I have just bought a Tecsun 606 which takes two AA batteries which I\u00a0think are normally rated at 1.2 volts. I have just ordered some\u00a0lithium ion AA and notice that they are 3.7 volts. Can I use them?\" I replied\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"TecsunPL-606","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/TecsunPL-606.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":16683,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/the-eco-usbcell-a-lipo-aa-usb-rechargeable-cell\/","url_meta":{"origin":14469,"position":1},"title":"The Eco USBcell: a LiPo AA USB rechargeable cell","author":"Thomas","date":"January 9, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Steven Crawford, who writes: Avid follower of your SWL Blog and site. I saw these and thought your followers may find these AA and AAA lithium ion USB rechargeable cells may be of interest as they are limited to 1.5 volts. I'm interested for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"EcoUSBCell","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/EcoUSBCell.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":57107,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2023\/06\/guest-post-here-come-the-lithiums\/","url_meta":{"origin":14469,"position":2},"title":"Guest Post: Here Come the Lithiums","author":"Thomas","date":"June 27, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post\u00a0contributor,\u00a0Bob Colegrove, who shares the following: Power Play \u2013 Here Come the Lithiums by Bob Colegrove I have belonged to several radio-oriented user groups in recent years and can\u2019t help noticing how often the subject of batteries comes up.\u00a0 It\u2019s almost a sub-hobby within the hobby.\u00a0\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Fig-2.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Fig-2.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Fig-2.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":62875,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/05\/a-bit-more-about-batteries-for-emergency-radios\/","url_meta":{"origin":14469,"position":3},"title":"A bit more about batteries for emergency radios . . .","author":"Jock Elliott","date":"May 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Jock Elliott, KB2GOM A friend, Bob, is a professional in the two-way radio business with deep experience and expertise. I mentioned to him this post and told him about my strong preference for radios that would run on off-the-shelf alkaline batteries. He had a few things to say about\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Emergency Preparedness"","block_context":{"text":"Emergency Preparedness","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/emergency-preparedness\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/batteries-001-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/batteries-001-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/batteries-001-1024x768.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22732,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/guest-post-car-shack-radio-listening\/","url_meta":{"origin":14469,"position":4},"title":"Guest Post: “Car Shack” Radio Listening","author":"Thomas","date":"December 10, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, for the following guest post: \u201cCar Shack\u201d radio listening by TomL My car is an unusual place to listen to shortwave radio but has interesting possibilities. Due to the obscene noise at my home QTH, I decided that I must try something away\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "How To"","block_context":{"text":"How To","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/how-to\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/CarShack-e1481116105233.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":49637,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/07\/a-simple-guide-to-portable-radio-power\/","url_meta":{"origin":14469,"position":5},"title":"A simple guide to portable radio power","author":"Thomas","date":"July 18, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Over on QRPer.com, I just published a post on portable power that was The Spectrum Monitor magazine's April 2021 cover article. This article is essentially an overview of a few different types of rechargeable batteries including pros and cons of each chemistry. While this article focuses on use in ham\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/TSM-Cover-Batteries-rotated.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/TSM-Cover-Batteries-rotated.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/TSM-Cover-Batteries-rotated.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/TSM-Cover-Batteries-rotated.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14469","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14469"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14469\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14469"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14469"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14469"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}