[Shop-talk] Battery Clarification

[David Scheidt]

On Dec 21, 2007 11:30 PM,  <pethier at comcast.net> wrote:
> From: "David Scheidt" <dmscheidt at gmail.com>
> > Lithium ion batteries have a short lifetime.  They last about 24
> > months from the date of manufacture.  That's true if they're used, or
> > not.
>
> Maybe Ni-MH batteries would be better.  I've had my little Kodak digi camera for 36 months, put a couple of thousand pix though it and pay little attention to when I put it on the charging stand and when I don't.
>

The advantage -- and it really is singular -- of Li-ion batteries is
power density.  For a battery of a given mass, the Li-ion battery will
hold more power than anything else except for some really exotic
battery types, but it costs more, has a shorter lifespan, requires an
expensive charging circuit, is more sensitive to temperature and
storage conditions, and will wear out sitting on a shelf.  The energy
density means it has a longer run time, talk time, or more photos per
charge, which is why everything has one.


-- 
David Scheidt
dmscheidt at gmail.com