Can you use 3 Protected cells at one time?

KDOG3 · Mar 9, 2007

I'm wondering if its possible and safe to use 3 protected RCR123a at once, in a C3 for example. I've heard that they don't like to be used in sets more than two, but I can't remember if that was for unprotected or what....

ACMarina · Mar 9, 2007

I was under the impression that the more you use in series the better the chance of an uneven discharge, and that itself was the big deal..

SilverFox · Mar 9, 2007

Hello KDOG3,

No problem, but remember the voltage is higher.

Tom

mzzj · Mar 9, 2007

SilverFox said:
Hello KDOG3,

No problem, but remember the voltage is higher.

Tom

Any idea if all protection circuits use pmos+nmos combination as load switch? Or just either of them and have very limited over-voltage or under-voltage protection because of body-diode?

KDOG3 · Mar 9, 2007

I'm considering the possibility of using it with a Downboy750, which has a 3-16V input range. I guess I'll have to break out the ol' cheapie voltmeter and see how they rate.

KDOG3 · Mar 9, 2007

Well i just tested all four of the ones I have for voltage. I guess I lucked out. They've been sitting off to the side for a few days and they all still measure 4.2V exactly. Nice. Can't measure current though, my stupid cheap POS voltmeter ( I just bought yesterday in fact ) only goes to 250mah...

SilverFox · Mar 9, 2007

Hello Mzzj,

There are a variety of protection circuits available and I have no idea which ones are on KDOG's cells. A PM to AW may answer your question.

Tom

KDOG3 · Mar 9, 2007

I have the batterystation 3.7V 900ma batts. The yellow ones.

qarawol · Mar 9, 2007

I have been using three protected rechargeable Li-Ion 3.6V CR123A from Battery Station in my Surefire Z3 on steriods that has the ArcMania Digital Turbo Tower Module II and have had no problems.

Njoy...

mzzj · Mar 9, 2007

SilverFox said:
Hello Mzzj,

There are a variety of protection circuits available and I have no idea which ones are on KDOG's cells. A PM to AW may answer your question.

Tom

I asked AW about this and he was not sure if his cells are protected from any higher voltage than 5v. Discharging in series is not a problem. I guess that as long as total pack voltage is less than 20v its safe, ie less than 5 cells in series because I think most protection circuits use 20v or 30v rated mosfet. I think some of those crazy maglite hotwire mods are close to limit, if I remember correctly someone was running 9x14500 in series :poof:

Can you use 3 Protected cells at one time?

KDOG3

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KDOG3

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