Looking for a SAFT battery for your Shearwater dive computer? Dive Gear Express no longer sells loose SAFT LS14500 batteries. We discontinued them because of the cost and complexity of shipping loose lithium batteries through our fulfillment services.
Where Can I Buy a SAFT LS14500?
A source we recommend is Battery Junction’s SAFT LS14500-BA button-top battery listing. Confirm current stock, the exact battery version, and shipping availability for your destination with the seller.
Warning: Counterfeit SAFT Batteries
Counterfeit SAFT LS14500 batteries are a documented safety problem. Do not use a battery of uncertain origin in your dive computer. An unreliable battery can cause loss of your dive computer during a dive. A low price is not worth that risk.
Buy from an authorized Saft distributor or an established specialist battery supplier that can document sourcing through authorized channels. Avoid bargain listings from unknown third-party sellers on online marketplaces. A familiar marketplace name, favorable reviews, Saft branding, or a printed certification mark does not establish that the battery is genuine. Do not substitute an unknown cell merely because it is advertised as “14500” or AA-sized.
A joint Saft and UL safety notice, including identification photographs, issued January 4, 2022, identifies counterfeit LS14500 batteries bearing the code 17.228.98G. Saft did not manufacture these batteries; their UL marks are counterfeit and their safety compliance is unknown. UL advises removing the identified batteries from service immediately.
That notice identifies a specific counterfeit; a different date code does not, by itself, prove authenticity. Do not rely on appearance alone. If the source or markings are questionable, do not dive with the battery. Ask Saft or an authorized distributor to help verify it, retaining the packaging, seller information, and photographs of all markings.
Which Shearwater Models Accept the SAFT LS14500?
The 3.6V SAFT LS14500 is supported in the following Shearwater dive computers. Model names matter: compatibility does not mean that every feature works with this battery.
| Shearwater model | Compatibility and limitations |
|---|---|
| Predator | Supported and specifically recommended in Shearwater’s Predator battery guidance. The LS14500C is not a suitable substitute. |
| Petrel (original) and Petrel 2 | Supported in the standalone (SA) and external PPO2 (EXT) models covered by the Petrel / Petrel 2 manual. |
| Perdix (original, non-AI) and Perdix AI | Supported in the dive computer. See the Perdix and Perdix AI manuals. This does not apply to the separate wireless transmitter. |
| Perdix 2 | Supported, but vibration alerts and the battery fuel gauge are unavailable with the LS14500. The Perdix 2 manual rates its cold-water performance as poor. |
| Perdix 3 | Supported, but vibration alerts and the battery fuel gauge are unavailable with the LS14500. The Perdix 3 manual rates its cold-water performance as poor. See Shearwater’s Perdix 3 battery specifications and the model manual. |
| Petrel 3 | Supported in the AA-powered standalone and external PPO2 models covered by the Petrel 3 technical manual, but vibration alerts and the battery fuel gauge are unavailable with the LS14500. That manual rates its cold-water performance as poor. |
| NERD (original / NERD 1) | Supported in the original model’s AA battery compartment; see the NERD 1 manual. |
For rebreather-specific controllers, DiveCAN systems, or other OEM configurations, follow the rebreather manufacturer’s battery instructions for that exact configuration. Do not assume the compatibility above applies to every controller or external battery supply.
Dive Gear Express recommends genuine SAFT LS14500 batteries for mission-critical diving applications in compatible Shearwater models, subject to the model-specific limitations above. This is our recommendation. In particular, the loss of vibration alerts and fuel-gauge support, and the documented cold-water limitations, must be considered when selecting a battery for your application. Shearwater recommends 1.5V Energizer Ultimate Lithium for best performance in Perdix 2, Perdix 3, and Petrel 3.
Check the manual for your exact model before buying. The LS14500 is not a universal replacement for Shearwater computers or accessories, including computers with built-in rechargeable batteries. Follow the specified installation procedure and select the correct battery type in the computer where applicable. Contact us if you need help identifying the correct documentation.
What Type of Battery Is the SAFT LS14500?
The LS14500 is a nominal 3.6V, non-rechargeable lithium-thionyl chloride (Li-SOCl2) cell. It is not a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and it must not be recharged. AA-sized batteries can have different voltages, chemistries, and terminal styles; size alone does not establish compatibility.
Battery life depends on the computer model, display settings, temperature, and use. A voltage measurement alone is not a reliable measure of remaining service life for this type of battery.
Shipping and Travel
Non-rechargeable lithium batteries also have transport requirements. Our decision not to sell them does not mean other suppliers cannot ship them using suitable arrangements. Ask your supplier about delivery restrictions and check your carrier’s current requirements before traveling with spare batteries.