Which batteries work in low temperatures?

Normal zinc chloride and alkaline batteries can perform badly in very cold conditions.

My wireless outdoor temperature sensor always failed to transmit when the temperature dropped a couple of degrees below zero.

Using lithium batteries it transmitted continuously through last winter's frosts down to -14°C.

My solution is to use lithium based AA and AAA cells which maintain a higher voltage at very low temperatures.

They are also good for hand-held GPS devices used in extreme conditions and, as they have a very long storage life, they are good to keep as emergency kit.

Although more expensive, their long life makes them more economical in the long run.

Roger Hadfield

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