I went over and picked up one of the chargers with 4 batteries for $29.99,
http://www.all-battery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=521&HS=1. The charger looks exactly like the one that AW is offering at
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/103334
Same specs too, 12VDC IN 4.4VDC Out.
The batteries have the same characteristics as AW describes as well, 3.78-9 VDC open, dropping to about 3.2.
I've charged up one set, and tried one battery in a Nuwai Q-3. Didn't notice any difference in lighting intensity (so I'm guessing it's not sustaining 3.6.) Took a deep breath, checked the spare bulb compartment to make sure that there was a spare bulb, and then stuck a pair into my SL TL-2. Worked fine (whew!, no flash!), and again noticed no visual difference in brightness intensity (did I mention no flash!
). Insofar as differences in size, I compared the Tenergy batteries to Duracell and Streamlight CR123s and did not notice any difference in size (2mm would be visible and noticable), though it is possible that it may be a rounded off reference to the button height (about 1.5mm using a cheap office ruler to measure). The packaging is pretty much typical of Chinese products filled with misspellings and improper grammar. The front of the package indicates that batteries take 1.5-3 hours to charge (it took about 1.5 hours to charge each of the two sets of included batteries.) The back of the package however indicates that it should take 2.7 hours to charge one battery and 5.4 hours to charge two batteries (must have been text that they took from some other packaging.
). The whole thing comes as a clam-shell package that you can expect to find in a retail store with the charger, wall wart 12V supply, car cord, and 4 batteries.
I like the fact that they're open to will-call (they encouraged it to save on shipping, since I was nearby) and don't run customers through hoops to inconvenience them, like some of our other local vendors, so I guess I'll be using them more often, they're friendly both over the phone (and on the web) and in person. So I'm looking at them as a resource of convenience in addition to reasonable pricing (not necessarily the cheapest.) Insofar as evading sales tax, I'm not one to do that. I live in this state, was born and raised here, I don't mind paying my fair share. I do mind when a vendor doesn't have the common courtesy to answer e-mail, and can't be bothered for a local will-call if I need something today, and rather than having the parcel shipped 45-50 miles away to Richmond CA for sorting so that it can be delivered 4-5 days later 10 miles away from where it originated. So unless Tenergy/all-battery decides to do a U-turn on their customer service practices, my one experience with them so far would put them in the above average range for a business in their category.
jsr said:
Brighteyez - if you pick up some of the Tenergy 3.0V 900mAh R123As, let me know how you like them after you've had a chance to test them out and get them thru a few charge/discharge cycles.
I've spoken to them over the phone and prompted them to add the statement on their site now that the loaded voltage should be about 3.0V (I had asked that on the phone with them). They're sticking to their 900mAh claim stating it's their 3rd generation design and apparently they use thinner separators. One strange thing is their cells are 2mm shorter than standard (32mm vs. 34mm), unless they're not accounting for the button height.
I'm also considering their primary CR123As if/when I run out of my good Sanyo and Rayovac stash now. I can get them for less than I can get Titaniums since vendors outside of CA sell the Tenergys and I won't get charged tax.