2
\$\begingroup\$

I do some high altitude (4-4.5k metres) trekking. At night this can lead to very low temperatures (down to -20oC). My choice of battery type for my camera is lithium ion, or rechargeable lithium ion. My flash gun uses AA batteries, so I have open a very wide range of battery types - alkaline, lithium, metal hydride,.... I know that to have batteries survive these conditions, I need to have multiple batteries which are kept warm (usually next to the skin) and swapped over regularly. What type of battery copes best with low temperature? While my camera manufacturer (Nikon) provides some information it is very minimal and does not really answer this question. Other searches on the web have provided very little information comparing battery performance at low temperatures.

I keep hearing that trekkers have problems with their equipment as a result of altitude alone - usually at or about 3-3.2k m. On investigation, the equipment always seems to be Apple. Is there a general problem based solely on altitude? If so, what?

Improve this question
\$\endgroup\$
4
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ It's the cold, not the altitude except for devices with hard-disks in them such as iPods, Laptops and portable HDDs. See my answer here. On the type of battery, I only know that if a Lithion-Ion battery freezes, it dies. \$\endgroup\$
    – Itai
    Aug 25, 2012 at 14:29
  • 2
    \$\begingroup\$ LiFePO4 - Lithium Ferro Phosphate - chemistry is often rated to -20C and in a large minority of cases to lower. Voltage per cell is on the low side of Lithium Ion. Making a custom battery pack that connects externally is probably worth looking at. || The closer to heaven they get the worse Apple's perform. \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon
    Aug 25, 2012 at 15:59
  • \$\begingroup\$ @RussellMcMahon If you make your comment an answer, I'll accept it - as the only helpful response I've got. \$\endgroup\$
    – Chris Walton
    Aug 27, 2012 at 2:55
  • \$\begingroup\$ Apple comment too :-)? \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon
    Aug 27, 2012 at 11:22

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1
\$\begingroup\$

What type of battery copes best with low temperature?

LiFePO4 - Lithium Ferro Phosphate - chemistry is often rated to -20C and in a large minority of cases to lower.

Voltage per cell is on the low side of Lithium Ion - 3.6V max on charge and typically 3.2V on moderate or low load and 3.1V on heavy load.

Custom external battery pack:

Making a custom battery pack that connects externally is probably worth looking at. If I was in your situation I'd consider making an "octopus of cables that can use a central battery pack to operate several target devices. This would allow you to locate the battery pack somewhere optimal - perhaps rear belt or small of back mounting to use body temperature.

Obviously cable connection reduces mobility and flexibility and may not be acceptable. At one stage I needed very high camera battery capacity over many hours. I made a lead acid based supply operating from a 6V 7AH SLA flat battery. This arrangement had the same capacity as about 4 x 1.4Ah x 7.2V Lithium Ion camera batteries and a good current capacity.

I ran a power cable from the camera up the strap, fastened in place as required to provide flexibility while not risking being snagged. That much of the arrangement was functionally the same as a standard camera as cable was not evident. I provided a cord from the top of the strap down to the rear belt battery pack. This was a suit coat type shooting environment and the cord could run down my back under the coat.

Lead acid is substantially heavier per capacity than LiIon. This was entirely acceptable in my case, but an off the shelf LiFePO4 would do this job well as long as Voltage needs were met.

The link below is broken as the organisation changed websites. May be fixable. In lieu, thiis is useful -Lithium Ferro Phosphate Batteries

Dead -Good LiFePO4 overview - notes -20C temperature limit.

A123 claim operation to -30 C.

|| The closer to heaven they get the worse Apple's perform. –

Improve this answer
\$\endgroup\$
4
  • \$\begingroup\$ Unfortunately the link is broken \$\endgroup\$
    – Christoph
    Jun 30, 2015 at 9:26
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ @Christoph - Substitute paper provided - not identical in theme. \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon
    Jun 30, 2015 at 13:39
  • \$\begingroup\$ The situation has moved on since I asked the question. Overviews of LiFePO4 batteries are much more common, as are the batteries. I found the following link very quickly. (I do not have the reputation to edit the enswer). batterystuff.com/kb/articles/battery-articles/… \$\endgroup\$
    – Chris Walton
    Jun 30, 2015 at 14:17
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ @ChrisWalton Yes - I responded now as Christoph noted about 5 hours ago that the link was broken. | The page you cite is OK but a bit general. I think it has been made by combining or just copying material fom elsewhere. eg Gargoyle "The LiFePO4 batteries are the safest type of Lithium batteries as they will not overheat, and even if punctured they will not catch on fire."and you get a significant number of other papers with that and assorted other text identical. | I've got a 40 Ah 24V LiFePO4 battery running here as part of a prototype system. \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon
    Jun 30, 2015 at 14:30

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.