The Saft LS14250 is the little sister of the classic AA lithium cell: same chemistry, same voltage, half the length. It therefore fits wherever a full AA cell has no room — in compact radio sensors, meters, data loggers and memory backup. Lithium thionyl chloride means the same here as in the large format: years of service instead of months, almost no self-discharge on the shelf, and a temperature range where ordinary batteries gave up long ago. Saft builds these cells in France and has been the industry reference for decades in applications where a battery change would cost more than the device.

• 3.6 Vnominal voltage
• 1200 mAhnominal capacity
• ½AA15 × 25 mm, 9.4 g
• −60 … +85 °Coperating temperature
• 10 yearsshelf life

Why this cell sits inside compact devices

• Full voltage at half the length: 3.6 volts like an AA lithium cell, but only half as long. Device makers gain space without having to change the electronics.
• Ten years’ shelf life: self-discharge is so low that a cell is practically still full after years on the shelf. For spare parts stores and maintenance stocks that is the decisive point.
• From deep freeze to summer heat: specified down to −60 °C. Outdoor meters, cold-room sensors and rooftop devices keep running where alkaline cells bowed out long ago.
• Constant voltage to the end: the discharge curve stays almost flat — until shortly before the end the electronics sees the same supply as on day one.
• Hermetically sealed: stainless steel case with glass-to-metal seal, leak-proof — important anywhere a leaking cell would ruin the board.
• Standard version without leads: fits any ½AA holder. Variants with solder tags, wires or pins are available on request.

Where it is used

• Utility meters with radio read-out: water, gas and heat meters where the battery has to outlast the calibration period.
• Compact radio sensors: door, window and temperature sensors that have to build slim and still run for years.
• Data loggers and measuring devices: temperature monitoring in cold chains, transport loggers, mobile measurement equipment.
• Memory and clock backup: controllers and industrial PCs whose real-time clock has to be right even after years without mains.
• Safety equipment: detectors and sensors that draw almost nothing at rest but have to work reliably when it matters.
• Replacement supply for existing installations: anyone looking after many devices keeps this cell in stock as a maintenance item — we also supply larger quantities.

That settles the selection. What follows is the knowledge for operation.

What you should know about lithium thionyl chloride

Passivation: during storage a thin protective layer forms on the lithium — that layer is exactly what makes the extremely low self-discharge possible. On the first current draw the voltage therefore dips briefly and recovers within seconds to minutes. Some devices report “battery empty” at that moment although the cell is full. That is normal and not a defect; the longer the cell has been stored, the more pronounced it is.

Small currents, short pulses: this cell chemistry is designed for low continuous currents with occasional transmit peaks, not for continuous load. Anyone developing their own hardware who needs higher pulse currents — for a radio module, say — usually combines the cell with a buffer capacitor that catches the peak.

And the consequence for maintenance planning: because the voltage stays almost constant to the end, it says little about how much capacity is left. With larger fleets the change is therefore better planned by operating time than by reported voltage.

Technical data

The general product data – size, weight, manufacturer part number, EAN – is in the detail table further down this page.

Safety and disposal

Do not charge, do not short-circuit, do not open, do not heat above 100 °C, do not throw into fire. Store cells with the poles taped over so they cannot short against each other. When replacing, change all cells in a device together and do not mix old with new — the weaker cell would otherwise be deep-discharged. Spent cells belong in battery collection; in Switzerland every point of sale takes them back, and so do we.

Help with the selection

Not sure which form factor belongs in your device, or do you need larger quantities? Talk to us — we know what most of the sensors in our range are fitted with and also supply project quantities. And if it turns into a project — sizing, pre-configuration or commissioning — we will gladly put together a quote.