Energizer CR1616 Lithium Coin Battery

This is a single Energizer CR1616 lithium coin cell, the small round battery that sits behind the back plate of a watch, inside a car key or under the cover of a slim remote control. The pack gives it as a 3V lithium cell. Lithium chemistry is what makes a battery this small worth having: it holds its voltage steadily through most of its working life rather than sagging away gradually, so a watch keeps time and a key fob keeps its range until close to the end. Lithium cells also cope better with cold than alkaline button cells do.

Coin cells are chosen by code rather than by brand, so the number on the face is the part that matters. CR1616 is its own size: in that code the 16 gives the diameter in millimetres and the second 16 gives the thickness in tenths of a millimetre, which is why a CR1620 will not sit in the same holder even though it looks near enough identical. The safest way to buy is to lever the old cell out and read the printing on its flat face, or check the marking moulded into the battery compartment. Watches, car key fobs, slim remote controls, small calculators and compact LED lights are the usual homes for one, though the device manual has the final word.

The card is child resistant, and the pack marks the cut line you snip round to free the cell, so keep a pair of scissors to hand and keep loose coin cells away from small children. One unit of this listing is one cell. The minimum order is ten units, sold in multiples of ten, which suits a repair bench or key cutting counter. It sits with our wider Energizer battery range, which runs from AA, AAA, C, D and 9V alkaline cells to other coin sizes including CR2032, CR123 and LR44.

Will a CR1620 or CR1632 fit in place of a CR1616?

No. The first two digits give the diameter and the last two give the thickness, so a CR1620 is the same width but thicker and will either jam in the holder or fail to seat properly.

How do I find out which coin cell my device takes?

Slide the old cell out and read the code printed on its flat face, or check the battery compartment, where the code is usually moulded into the plastic beside the holder.

What voltage does it give?

The pack states 3V, which is the usual figure for a lithium coin cell. An alkaline button cell of similar size gives 1.5V, so the two are not interchangeable in a device that asks for 3V.

How many cells do I receive, and is there a minimum order?

One cell per unit of this listing. The minimum order is ten units, sold in multiples of ten, so the smallest purchase brings you ten single cells.

How do I get the cell out of the packaging?

The card is child resistant, so it does not tear open by hand. Cut along the marked line around the blister with scissors, then push the cell free from behind.

Does it matter which way round the cell goes in?

Yes. The flat face carrying the code is the positive side and in most holders it faces up towards you, but always follow the plus marking inside the compartment.