Lithium AA and AAA -sized batteries could damage
headtorches using LEDs according to tests carried out by Petzl.
The
company says that the 'performance characteristics' of these lithium
cells have advanced in order to 'provide high power discharge
performance' particularly for digital camera use.
That's all well and good when you use them with cameras, but they
say it may also lead to overheating of and consequent damage to LED
lights and a reduction in bulb life. The problem is common to most
brands of head torches using LEDs and not just Petzl.
The company says that its new e+LITE micro-headlight due out next
month which uses watch-sized batteries isn't affected, but it no
longer recommends that you use lithium AA or AAA cells with most
Petzl models which use LEDs.
That includes the entire Tikka and Zipka family and various other
models in their range. You can find a full
list on the Petzl web site.
To be honest, very few walkers and climbers we know use lithium
cells in the UK at least, but they've been suggested for extreme cold
weather use in the past. In the light of the tests, we'd suggest that
you stick to non-lithium cells for your LED headtorch whether it's
Petzl or not.
Chris McSweeny
