Flying with Batteries

Fl_Gulfer · 08-02-2008, 12:24 PM

This may be a repost but here goes.

As of last January you can no longer Fly with Lithium Ion batteries that do not have there plastic covers on them, or you can put a piece of electrical tape across the copper contacts then put them in a ziplock bag and your good to go. They can also be inside the camera or cell phone for flying. And you can only carry 2 extra batteries for your camera or cell phone. Thats the batteries that we use in the K10D and the K20D.

Happy Traveling
Jack

thirdofthree · 08-02-2008, 01:39 PM

Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer

And you can only carry 2 extra batteries for your camera or cell phone. Thats the batteries that we use in the K10D and the K20D.

That's not how I read the TSA rules, fragmented as they are.

As best I'm able to glean from the TSA, passengers are not restricted in how many "smaller lithium ion batteries" (i.e. those smaller than 100 Wh) they may carry on:

Originally posted by http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html:

For personal use, there is generally no restriction on the number of spare batteries allowed in carry-on baggage. This is the case for cell phone batteries, "hearing aid" button cells, and AA batteries/AAA batteries available in retail stores, as well as almost all standard laptop computer batteries.

The limit of 2 spare batteries...

Originally posted by http://safetravel.dot.gov/larger_batt.html:

You are allowed one larger lithium ion battery installed in a device, plus up to 2 spare larger lithium ion batteries. These are in addition to any smaller lithium ion batteries.

...specifically applies to "larger lithium ion batteries", i.e. those rated between 100 and 300 watt-hours (Wh):

Originally posted by http://safetravel.dot.gov/larger_batt.html:

Lithium ion batteries are the rechargeable batteries used in computers, cell phones, and other devices. "Larger" lithium ion batteries are rated between 100 and 300 watt-hours (8-25 g equivalent lithium content, or ELC.)

To tie this back to the Pentax world: my K10D Pentax li-ion batteries are rated at 7.4V and 1.62 Ah (1620 mAh), or ~12 Wh (calculated as V * Ah). In other words, well below the "larger battery" threshold that's restricted to 2 spares per passenger. Since they're not considered "larger batteries", I'm able to carry as many as I wish - and I plan to on my upcoming vacation in Sep (unless I've misunderstood the TSA rules).

Various TSA links on the subject:

TSA: Safe Travel with Batteries and Devices
What's New - Quick Chart
Wha'ts New - Batteries
Larger Batteries
Larger Lithium Ion BAtteries
Q&A (PDF)

Edit to add: As far as I can tell, this applies to travel within the USA. It may also apply to travel to or from the USA and international locations.

Fl_Gulfer · 08-03-2008, 08:52 AM

Thanks for the correction, I was just typing what I just read in the new Digital Photography Magazine.

**Marc Langille** · 08-03-2008, 09:03 AM

I've carried 4 spare batteries for my K10D/K20D, plus another for the Canon system in my carry on, and 3 sets of 4-pack Eneloops. Did 4 trips like that, the last returning on June 9th or so. No problems.

Regards,
Marc

08-02-2008, 12:24 PM	#1
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,054	Flying with Batteries This may be a repost but here goes. As of last January you can no longer Fly with Lithium Ion batteries that do not have there plastic covers on them, or you can put a piece of electrical tape across the copper contacts then put them in a ziplock bag and your good to go. They can also be inside the camera or cell phone for flying. And you can only carry 2 extra batteries for your camera or cell phone. Thats the batteries that we use in the K10D and the K20D. Happy Traveling Jack

08-03-2008, 09:03 AM	#4
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710	just one thing to add to the thread I've carried 4 spare batteries for my K10D/K20D, plus another for the Canon system in my carry on, and 3 sets of 4-pack Eneloops. Did 4 trips like that, the last returning on June 9th or so. No problems. Regards, Marc

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08-02-2008, 01:39 PM	#2
thirdofthree Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Highland Park, IL Posts: 217	Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer And you can only carry 2 extra batteries for your camera or cell phone. Thats the batteries that we use in the K10D and the K20D. That's not how I read the TSA rules, fragmented as they are. As best I'm able to glean from the TSA, passengers are not restricted in how many "smaller lithium ion batteries" (i.e. those smaller than 100 Wh) they may carry on: Originally posted by http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html: For personal use, there is generally no restriction on the number of spare batteries allowed in carry-on baggage. This is the case for cell phone batteries, "hearing aid" button cells, and AA batteries/AAA batteries available in retail stores, as well as almost all standard laptop computer batteries. The limit of 2 spare batteries... Originally posted by http://safetravel.dot.gov/larger_batt.html: You are allowed one larger lithium ion battery installed in a device, plus up to 2 spare larger lithium ion batteries. These are in addition to any smaller lithium ion batteries. ...specifically applies to "larger lithium ion batteries", i.e. those rated between 100 and 300 watt-hours (Wh): Originally posted by http://safetravel.dot.gov/larger_batt.html: Lithium ion batteries are the rechargeable batteries used in computers, cell phones, and other devices. "Larger" lithium ion batteries are rated between 100 and 300 watt-hours (8-25 g equivalent lithium content, or ELC.) To tie this back to the Pentax world: my K10D Pentax li-ion batteries are rated at 7.4V and 1.62 Ah (1620 mAh), or ~12 Wh (calculated as V * Ah). In other words, well below the "larger battery" threshold that's restricted to 2 spares per passenger. Since they're not considered "larger batteries", I'm able to carry as many as I wish - and I plan to on my upcoming vacation in Sep (unless I've misunderstood the TSA rules). Various TSA links on the subject: TSA: Safe Travel with Batteries and Devices What's New - Quick Chart Wha'ts New - Batteries Larger Batteries Larger Lithium Ion BAtteries Q&A (PDF) Edit to add: As far as I can tell, this applies to travel within the USA. It may also apply to travel to or from the USA and international locations.

08-03-2008, 08:52 AM	#3
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,054 Original Poster	Thanks for the correction, I was just typing what I just read in the new Digital Photography Magazine.