Customer Reviews

ULTRA LIFE, 10 year, smoke alarm battery, U9VL-X

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

To clarify some of the other comments here, the Ultralife 9-volt lithium battery is designed to operate an ionization-type smoke alarm for 10 years. The packaging for the Ultralife U9VL-X 9-volt lithium battery indicates that it's a smoke alarm battery. It will not power a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm for 10 years since a CO alarm operates at a higher current drain than a smoke alarm. Also, the sensor in most CO alarms is designed to operate for 5 to 7 years depending on the brand and model, after which the entire alarm has to be replaced. While the Ultralife battery should outlast an alkaline battery in a CO alarm, and other devices, by 2 to 3 times, don't expect it to last 10 years in devices other than ionization smoke alarms.

* Assuming you have smoke detectors that are hardwired to AC, with battery backup (your 10 year cell). Since the AC will be running your detector 99% of the time, a long "shelf life" battery is just what you need to not mess with the dumb things too often. Although, be prepared to wedge the things in there - depending on your model this can be a tight squeeze. And taking it out if it was, may involve the use of vice type pliers.

I can't comment on this particular battery, but I will comment on this subject generally. We have 7 smoke alarms in our house -- building code overkill. One of our ceilings is 14 feet high. There is much more danger that I will be seriously injured in falling off of a ladder by replacing that high ceiling battery once a year than I will be injured in a house fire. But no one thought of the big picture or asked me when they built my house. And when that high ceiling battery starts to chirp in the middle of the night because it is low, forget about getting any more sleep. And you will be in fine condition to climb a tall ladder in the morning.

Lithium batteries should last 5-7 years, so that means I subject myself to falling from a ladder to one-fifth or one-seventh as often compared to regular batteries. Just be careful. Radio Shack makes Lithium batteries, but they are larger than normal 9 volt batteries and might not fit into your device.

I had 3 of these installed in smoke alarms in May 2003, so was disappointed when two of them failed after about 4 years, and the last one just began to beep after exactly 5 years.

But then I discovered that the alarms I'm using have dual sensors (First Alert SA301), containing both an ionization and a photoelectric [these are not hard-wired, the battery does it all]. Therefore, if in reality, the batteries are running two detectors at once, I guess it shouldn't surprise me that they lasted half as long as advertised. Also, my alarm doesn't qualify for the 10 year warranty, because it contains a photoelectric sensor - the warranty is for ionization sensors only.

Cost wise it's probably a wash, one could buy several alkalines for the cost of this one. But the savings is on time: not having to change the batteries as often.

I have the an Ultralife 10 Year Smoke Detector Battery model U9VL-J. It has a use by date of 2017. The battery was installed in an ionization smoke detector on 07/05/2007. It was purchased 1-2 years before that. The detector just began giving the low battery warning on 4/30/2008. It did not even last a year. I generally get at least a year out of regular alkaline batteries in this detector. Maybe this battery is better suited to backup applications where the primary power source is house current.

I haven't yet used the Ultralife 10-year battery but I can vouch for the 5-year version. I just pulled one from a smoke alarm and I had dated it July 13, 2003. So it lasted four years and four months, less than five years but it was also the smoke alarm closest to the kitchen, and thus was probably a bit drained by the fifty or so burnt cooking false alarms over the past four+ years.

Ultralife makes a truly great product so I gladly upgraded and ordered four of the 10-year batteries. The added safety and convenience makes them worth every cent.

I'll update this review in 8-10 years when these batteries stop working.

A lithium 9v battery will not keep your smoke detector working for 10 years. It has a 10-year shelf life. If you buy one and store it away in a cabinet, it will be fresh and usable 10 years later.

In actual use, it will last 3-5 times longer than an alkaline battery. If you replace your regular battery once a year, this battery should last 3-5 years.

I am sure this is a fine battery and will work well in a smoke detector and last longer than an alkaline battery. Just dont expect it to last, working in your detector, for 10 years.

I have a smoke detector on a high ceiling, and changing battery is a lot of pain. Therefore I decided to put in the so-called 10-year battery and hoped I won't have to worry about it. It died in a bit over two years. Ironically, the regular, non ultra-life 9V batteries that I put in about the same time in my other detectors still run fine.

I've been using one of these for about 5 years now. It just keeps on going and going and going....

I bought 6 first alert smoke detectors 5/27/07.
They all came with Ultralife Lithium Power Cell batteries.
The smoke detectors all have stickers on them that say "10 year Lithium Battery".
I would assume that since they actually put the sticker directly on the battery compartment of the smoke alarm that they were not talking about a 10 year shelf life or storage life. All 6 of the Ultralife Power Cell Batteries failed and lost their charge in less than 3 years. All of them were sounding low battery beeps in hallways keeping condominium residents awake at night, resulting in multiple phone calls and complaints.
They were used in a dry, warm and normal atmosphere.
First Alert should change their Adds to read "10 year Warranty" but
absolutely not a "10 year battery"!
I think this is an embarrasment to the First Alert company to connect the
Ultralife name to any of their products.