Are there any RCR123 cells made in the USA?

[lovenhim]

OK I did some looking on here and Google before posting this as I have already been made aware of my many posts. I did look and did not find what I was looking for. I know that there are primary CR123 batteries made in the USA and for RCR123 batteries many say to buy AW brand and never look back. Who makes RCR123 batteries that are made in the USA and not China? Thanks for the help and sorry about the new thread, I did look like I was asked.

 

[mdocod]

If there is a manufacture of this size cell (doubtful) in the USA, the sales chain from them likely does not lead anywhere for a consumer to get a hold of the product in it's "bare cell" form...

While modern LiCo cells have a reasonable track record of safety, I suspect there is too much liability in damaged products from the higher voltage for a USA based company to take on.

Eric

 

[joeparker54]

I think it also has to do with the fact that the 123 market is small to begin with, and then the rechargeable users are even fewer. There's probably just not enough demand for a US based company to be profitable.

If it'll make you feel better, buy the AW's and donate the same dollar amount to the charity of your choice because that's how much you'd spend on quality cells made in the US.

 

[jasonck08]

To be honest, AW RCR123's are some of the worst performing RCR123's I've tested. Wouldn't really recommend them:

If you keep the currents <500mA they are not too bad, but if your planning on pushing ~1A from these cells, forget it.

 

[lovenhim]

Thank you for this. I am still using that borrowed RCR setup from 357mag1 and I can say this, the AW cells I ran last night ran for a good hour in two lights both on max output without any troubles. I am new to all this RCR123 stuff so please forgive all the questions. It sems like many here love AW so that is good enough for me. I know I can get less expensive cells through our CPF discount for $6 each but in the end is it worth the money saved if AW is a better product? I am not sure about runtime testing and computer graphs, I do know that the AW cells worked fine last night for me.

 

[357mag1]

To be honest, AW RCR123's are some of the worst performing RCR123's I've tested.

My experience has been just the opposite. In the RCR123 category the AW cells are the only ones I've found to last for any amount of time. Numerous dead Ultrafire, XXXfire, and Battery Station RCR123 cells has made me a convert.

I've done several runtime test using actual flashlights and the AWs don't just beat these other cells they slaughter them. 40 minutes compared to anywhere from 8 to 20 minutes of runtime versus other cells. Granted the lights tested only draw from 800 to 1000ma but that covers most uses these batteries were intended to fulfill.

I recently received a custom single RCR123 light that will draw 2.8 amps on high.
Current tests at the tailcap showed only AW IMR cells able to provide 2.8 amps. Next closest were AW Lico cells showing 2.6 amps and the closest competitor was under 2 amps (Battery Station cell).

So my real life experiences do not correspond to your graph.

At the sametime I will be the first to try a new and better RCR123 cell.

 

[jasonck08]

347mag1, I'll post several other graphs later that say just the opposite.

I have other cells that hold up under load much better, as in still achieving 600mAH+ under 2C load, where the AW's only achieve 350mAH.

I will agree with you that the quality of the Cell is much better then those X_fire brands generally, but In my experience in in the many tests I have done, the performance of the AW RCR123's are far from impressive.

That's not to say that all AW's cells are garbage. Most of his other cells have properly rated capacity and the performance is decent. I just think that AW claiming these are "High-current RCR123's" is a bit of a stretch considering they fail miserably at higher loads.

Here is a RCR123 cell I've been testing for a company that will remain unnamed.

500mAH test:

AW - 612mAH
NEW - 682mAH

1A test:

AW - 463mAH
NEW - 668mAH

1.3A test:

AW - 361mAH
NEW - 653mAH

 

[BigusLightus]

Hi Jason,

I've never heard of the "New" brand cells before. Can you post a link or a pic?

Thanks

 

[jasonck08]

Hi Jason,

I've never heard of the "New" brand cells before. Can you post a link or a pic?

Thanks

Here is a RCR123 cell I've been testing for a company that will remain unnamed.

I'm not at the liberty to discuss the company that makes this cell, but I would keep your eyes open within the next few months.

 

[45/70]

Interesting cell there Jason. My experience has been like 357mag1's. I have had a few xxxxxFire type cells that initially outperformed AW's, but after some use, they fell behind.

A long while back, I believe it was SilverFox, and some others, were discussing how it's possible to make a Li-Ion cell that has more capacity and holds up better under load, but the trade off is that they don't last very long.

I've experienced this with Elite 1700's and CPB 1650's when compared to standard NiMH cells as well. When they're new, they're very impressive, but they don't last nearly as long. Of course in this case, they're getting the crap beat out of them. :devil:

Dave

 

[357mag1]

I'm not at the liberty to discuss the company that makes this cell, but I would keep your eyes open within the next few months.

I'm not sure what the big secret is these are just batteries. If it is something new that is not available to the general public then it is hard to say there is something out there that beats the AW RCR123.
Just so people don't think I'm biased toward AW batteries they are not my first choice in 14500 or 18650 format. I have found batteries that perform better or as well and they are cheaper. None of these batteries have protection circuits though so if that is important to you AW is still your best bet.
Until somebody can show me a battery in the RCR123 format that outperforms an AW cell I will stick with these proven cells.

I look forward to the time you can reveal this NEW RCR123 battery.

 

[lovenhim]

I was in a conversation with 357mag1 the other day and I said quote" I do not see any difference in these batteries, one is as good as the other for my use". So here I am an RCR123 newbie with a big head thinking to myself I will just get what is cheap. Well, I am glad that I did not give in to that because I did what he asked me to do and that was use them more and see what dies first. I see where he was right, the AW batteries lasted longer in my lights. I am very honored and grateful that I have been trusted with a borrowed charger and ten batteries. I will work on buying my first rechargeable setup.

 

[jasonck08]

I'm not sure what the big secret is these are just batteries. If it is something new that is not available to the general public then it is hard to say there is something out there that beats the AW RCR123.

Well I can't reveal the OEM of the battery because that is an industry secret, just like AW doesn't publish all the factories that he buys from. Once US based distributors begin to carry the battery then more info will be revealed. The one downside to this cell though is the size. It's going to end up being ~35 or 35.5mm. 1 or 1.5mm longer then the AW cell. But I think most lights will be able to accommodate this, as most X_fire cells are in the 35-36mm range anyways. Props to AW for making a true 16340 cell.

 

[jirik_cz]

How old was your AW cell? Because my AW RCR123 bought in April performs much better under higher loads...

It is true that some RCR123 have higher capacity up to 700mAh, but they are usually 2mm longer and will not fit some flashlights...

 

[Batou00159]

i too find rcr123 from aw a drag in my NEX they give 17 minits on full and 37 minits in my olight m20 r5:thumbsdow:thumbsdow

 

[lovenhim]

My main goal is to have a quality cell that simply works and does its job. I keep hearing that AW is the standard that all are judged by, that is why I am thinking about going with those. If I can get a better battery at a better price that will not blow up on me, then sure I would consider it. So far from what 357mag1 has let me borrow....the AW is best for me.

 

[jasonck08]

How old was your AW cell? Because my AW RCR123 bought in April performs much better under higher loads...

It is true that some RCR123 have higher capacity up to 700mAh, but they are usually 2mm longer and will not fit some flashlights...

Wow, your results are so much better then mine. I bought my cells 2 months ago! I even have 4 cells, and the 2-3 that I've tested all perform like the above graphs. Talk about some serious QC issues. I've not even used the cells in any lights yet, just in the CBA.

Guess its hit or miss with AW RCR123's...

 

[jirik_cz]

Did you purchase the cells directly from AW?

 

[jasonck08]

Did you purchase the cells directly from AW?

Nope, from "Night" and "4sevens." Maybe they are not as fresh? They arrived reading about 3.8v.

 

[jirik_cz]

3.8V is recommended voltage for a long term storage, so it shouldn't be a problem.

I get the same results as you with a more than one year old RCRs with dozens of cycles.

I rather use batteries purchased directly from AW, because you never know how old stock some of the dealers may have...