Batteries for Tri-EDC

[treesloth]

This is going to be one of those questions that exposes a lot of my ignorance, but I guess that one must be willing to do that sometimes to get smarter. I'm mulling over a Tri-EDC. These are some of the most amazing bits of sculpted metal anywhere. I've tried to find an answer to this, but so far have failed.

Can I use regular old CR123A batteries, such as my stock of Surefires and Streamlights, in the Tri-EDC? I note that Mac's site says:

Single R123 / 16350 / UltraFire 18350 Li-Ion Cell Powered

Regrettably, I don't know if "R123" includes what I call CR123A. Anyway, thanks in advance, and please feel free to lay on me any supplemental knowledge you think I lack. :-)

[LichtAn!]

In the Tri-EDC you should only use Trustfire 18350 or 16340 IMR or 18350 IMR. No CR123A.

[treesloth]

In the Tri-EDC you should only use Trustfire 18350 or 16340 IMR or 18350 IMR. No CR123A.

Ah, many thanks. I guess I'll be supporting another type of rechargeable at some future time.

[rich297]

In the Tri-EDC you should only use Trustfire 18350 or 16340 IMR or 18350 IMR. No CR123A.

Having tried all three rechargeables with my Tri-EDC, I would recommend the AW IMR 18350 over the others.

[zehnmm]

Having tried all three rechargeables with my Tri-EDC, I would recommend the AW IMR 18350 over the others.

Hello rich297. Thanks for sharing your experience. Can you also share runtimes for each of the three? Again, thanks!

[rich297]

Hello rich297. Thanks for sharing your experience. Can you also share runtimes for each of the three? Again, thanks!

I've never done actual runtime tests with any of the batteries. I would estimate the AW IMR 16340 to run about 15 minutes in high mode and the other two, about 20 minutes. Keep in mind, you're only supposed to run high mode intermittently due to heat. In actual use, I run the light in low or medium mode most of the time and only occasionally high mode for less than a minute at a time. The reasons why I recommend the AW IMR 18350, safer chemistry, no protection circuit needed, better runtime than IMR16340 and my Tri-EDC simply did not run well with the Ultrafire . The driver would make a whining sound in mid-mode and I sometimes had to unscrew the head of the light about a quarter turn to be able to get the light to turn on at all. No such problems with either AW IMR cell.

[zehnmm]

Thanks, rich297.

FYI, I have been running my Tri-EDC with the orange colored Ultrafire 18350s for about 2 months now. So far, so good. My not-so-scientific estimate of capacity is 900 - 1000 mah, versus the advertised 1200. Fortunately for me, I have not experienced the whining noise.

I rotate four of them; keep them topped off frequently; run one to about half of its capacity, then pop in another.

Again, thanks for sharing your experience.

[rich297]

Thanks, rich297.

FYI, I have been running my Tri-EDC with the orange colored Ultrafire 18350s for about 2 months now. So far, so good. My not-so-scientific estimate of capacity is 900 - 1000 mah, versus the advertised 1200. Fortunately for me, I have not experienced the whining noise.

I rotate four of them; keep them topped off frequently; run one to about half of its capacity, then pop in another.

Again, thanks for sharing your experience.

I'm glad to hear that the Ultrafires are working well with your Tri-EDC. Perhaps I had a defective cell. All I know for sure is that my light had issues with the Ultrafire and I own no other light that accepts a 18350. I wound up shipping it off to Mac and obtained the AW through the generosity of ElectronGuru. I think you're wise to top-off frequently given the lack of protection circuit. Be Careful!!!!!

[Midnight Run]

Hi there,

I need to give this a noob bump.

I have a Tri EDC heading my way and I was intending on using this rechargeable cell right here:
http://www.lighthound.com/AW-RCR123a...ery_p_114.html

Is that totally wrong? What would happen if I did?

[brandocommando]

That is a good cell and it will work but, if you look on Mac's website it says that the AW 18350 it the "preferred cell" for the Tri-EDC.

That's what I use...

[nfetterly]

Hi there,

I need to give this a noob bump.

I have a Tri EDC heading my way and I was intending on using this rechargeable cell right here:
http://www.lighthound.com/AW-RCR123a...ery_p_114.html

Is that totally wrong? What would happen if I did?

The AW IMR 18350 is a safer chemistry and it also supports a higher power draw than the one you reference above. I've got some in my bag - I think they are higher capacity rated as well (I should know...)

[brandocommando]

AW18350 = 700 mah.
AWrcr123 = 750 mah.

That's what the labels say anyway...

[cmacclel]

AW18350 = 700 mah.
AWrcr123 = 750 mah.

That's what the labels say anyway...

Yes thats what the labels state but in a high current draw like as the tri-edc's the IMR cell will actually last longer. Also the Black Protected cell is only rated at 2c discharge which is only 1.5amps. The Tri-EDC can draw 2.8amps with a fully charged cell.

Mac

[mikesantor]

I dont mean to semi thread jack but i figure we can kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Is everything tbat has been said for the tri edc the same for the xml edc? In regards to current draw, etc? I k ow i asked Mac via pm which is better for the xml and he said the imr over the regular 18350. I just want to make sure its for the same reason as the tri edc...

[Midnight Run]

Thanks y'all!

It seems that unprotected cells can't discharge beyond a certain point without getting damaged.
Is that an issue? That's what stopped me from getting the 18350 in the first place.
Sorry to ask some really basic questions for most of you but it is a little confusing, when you get started, to have all these cells that are mostly the same size but will only work with such and such lights .

[Midnight Run]

Edit: double post. (newbie all the way )

[asr3510]

sorry for jumping in here, this actually being my first post, i just signed for CPF, i actually ordered a tri-edc last week, but im trying to understand the battery situation a little more, what are my options if any for a disposable battery, if i dont want to bother with rechargeable or forget to charge, will i damage the light with a cr123a or it wont even fit, sorry for my complete lack of understanding, but i have one on the way and i dont know how the battery situation works

thank you every one

[chili77]

In my understanding you will not damage the lamp, but it will not work propper because the energy is to low.

It would be interresting if it would work anyway.

[cmacclel]

sorry for jumping in here, this actually being my first post, i just signed for CPF, i actually ordered a tri-edc last week, but im trying to understand the battery situation a little more, what are my options if any for a disposable battery, if i dont want to bother with rechargeable or forget to charge, will i damage the light with a cr123a or it wont even fit, sorry for my complete lack of understanding, but i have one on the way and i dont know how the battery situation works

thank you every one

There is no option for a disposable battery. On the Tri-EDC webpage it's lists the compatible battery's and cells. At the cost of disposable CR123's at $2 each a $5 or $7.50 rechargeable cell that will give you hundreds or recharges is the way to go. For under $20 you can get 2 ultrafire 18350's and a 2 cell charger.

[asr3510]

Its just good to have a disposable option in the event of an extended blackout or just forgetting to charge them

[Vernon]

I think this might be the best place to ask...

To be clear, can I safely use an AW 18650 in Macs 18650 XML (2.4)? Or should I go IMR, for sure?

[badtziscool]

I think this might be the best place to ask...

To be clear, can I safely use an AW 18650 in Macs 18650 XML (2.4)? Or should I go IMR, for sure?

AW 18650 will work just fine. Probably ideal for it since it can handle up to 5A so 2.4 is no problem plus you get like twice the runtime with this over IMR cell.

[Benchiew]

I am going with IMR for the safer chemistry. Who cares if I kill one or two battery, just as long as there is a less chance of blowing up.

[ElectronGuru]

The key to IMR longevity is time-to-recharge. Don't leave them at low voltage any longer than necessary.

[whateatsrabbits]

I think treesloth and all the other new guys and gals should Go over to the battery forum and read some of the stickys. AW IMR 18350 is the battery the macs tri-edc takes. I was lazy about switching the battery this week, so All week I was using the same battery and I use my light a lot daily. Finally today it started to blink on medium, used it a little on low. The battery measured 3.2v witch I'm happy with. I try to keep em topped and rechage at 3.7 but I consider 3 volts as safe. Another good thing is that imr take about half as long to charge as an li ion.

[mvyrmnd]

Edit: just reread and realised I'd missed an important bit. Deleted the flotsam:



Remember this light uses 18350's. The best option is the AW IMR18350. The second best (although I've had one fail in the light) is the Ultrafire 18350. Last resort is a AW protected 16340, but it can't safely deliver the high-mode current. No CR123 can safely be used in this light.

Being protected or unprotected is redundant, as the light has a low-voltage warning/cutoff. Just use it until is flashes or shuts off, then recharge immediately.

[Benchiew]

The key to IMR longevity is time-to-recharge. Don't leave them at low voltage any longer than necessary.

What is the best minimum voltage to maintain?

[whateatsrabbits]

Like I said above Ideally you want to recharge at 3.7v for maximum battery life time. But I dont think it hurts the battery to much to bring it down to 3 volts for a longer runtime. You don't want to go any lower or else you risk ruining the battery.

[Benchiew]

Ok. 3.7v is best and 3v is terminal velocity. Got it. Thanks.