Recently I was on a flight in which I was attempting to bring a large speaker with me on the trip (related to my ‘other life’ as a competitive cheer gym owner!).
Although I had done so numerous times in the past, this particular time, as I was in the process of trying to jam it into one of the overhead bins (it simply was NOT fitting!), I was approached by staff on the flight that asked me if my speaker had a battery in it.
I never really thought about it.
Obviously, I realized that the speaker had to charge, but I honestly had no clue if it had a battery in it or not.
I relayed this (in a somewhat annoyed demeanor) by saying something to the attendant that I was not an electrical engineer and I had no idea.
Of course, as he often does to tame us, God had placed an electrical engineer in the seat next to me who piped up, said she was an electrical engineer and that there was indeed a battery in the speaker (note to self – please be more patient with people!).
This led (no pun intended) to a series of events where the crew, literally, disassembled the speaker in front of the cockpit so that it could be verified that the battery inside the speaker was a non-lithium battery.
Once this was confirmed, everyone seemed to rest easy and we were able to all peacefully continue on our journey.
What is the difference between a lithium and non-lithium battery anyway?
In general, a battery is a device that stores energy and turns it into electricity. There are many kinds of batteries, the two main types however are lithium batteries and non-lithium batteries. The biggest difference between them is the materials they use and how they work.
Lithium batteries use lithium, a very light metal, as part of their inside parts. This metal helps store and release energy quickly and efficiently. There are different kinds of lithium batteries, like lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries. They are commonly used in phones, laptops, electric cars, and even some tools.
Non-lithium batteries use other materials instead of lithium. Some common types are alkaline, nickel-cadmium (NiCd), and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. These are found in everyday items like TV remotes, flashlights, toys, clocks, and in my case – the speaker.
To sum it up, here are the main differences between lithium and non-lithium batteries:
1. Energy Storage: Lithium batteries can store more energy in a smaller space. This means they last longer and are better for devices that need a lot of power, like smartphones or electric cars.
2. Weight: Lithium is very light. That’s why lithium batteries are lighter than non-lithium ones. This is helpful for portable devices and electric cars where weight matters.
3. Rechargeability: Many lithium batteries can be recharged hundreds of times without losing much power. Some non-lithium batteries, like alkaline ones, cannot be recharged or lose power more quickly when recharged.
4. Cost: Lithium batteries cost more to make and buy. Non-lithium batteries are usually cheaper, which is why people still use them for things that don’t need a lot of power.
5. Lifespan: Lithium batteries usually last longer, both in how long they can run and how many times they can be recharged. Non-lithium batteries often need to be replaced more often.
6. Safety: Lithium batteries can overheat or catch fire if damaged or not handled properly (hence the flight crew’s concern about the battery in my speaker and the fact that they would seemingly have to place it under the plane with the rest of the luggage). Non-lithium batteries are usually safer but don’t perform as well.
Lithium batteries are powerful, light, and long-lasting but more expensive and sometimes risky. Non-lithium batteries are cheaper and safer but don’t last as long or store as much energy. Choosing the right battery depends on what you need it for.
Choosing the speaker with the right battery might dictate if it arrives with you when traveling on an airplane to your final destination or not.
