AW RCR123 Battery ?

[Bob96]

These cells are rated 750 ma. What would be the maximum safe discharge rate that wouldn't overheat the cells or drastically reduce their life? Will they take 1.5 amp - 2 amp.? Realize that run time would be short.

 

[matrixshaman]

If you want to draw that much you may want to look at AW's IMR series of RCR123's which can take a much higher current draw than the black label batteries. They are a different chemistry and I run one in a P7 modded HDS light that draws around 3 Amps on high. No concerns with this battery (the red label IMR's from AW).

 

[TriChrome]

I think most of the AW black label cells are 2C (and please correct me if I'm wrong) so the max safe discharge would be 1.5 amps.

 

[Bob96]

The AW black label cells are rated 750 ma and the red ones at 550 ma. So the red can handle much higher amp. discharge but will have a lower run time?

 

[Dances with Flashlight]

I think AW posted something on this topic some time ago in his sales thread in the Marketplace.

 

[ElectronGuru]

The AW black label cells are rated 750 ma and the red ones at 550 ma. So the red can handle much higher amp. discharge but will have a lower run time?

The functional difference is about 25% less:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=3223435&postcount=4

The confusing part is that because the IMR can discharge more power, it appears to drain even faster on high drain applications. The real issue is that as you approach and then exceed the discharge capacity of the black cell, it will provide comparatively less current during use and then have a shorter lifespan from the hard use.

If you really need loads of power for a longer time, consider one of the larger IMR's.

 

[buickid]

Tests have shown that the red IMR cells actually have MORE usable capacity with higher discharge rates. I don't know the exact figure, but if you're using a high power LED or incan, even though IMRs are rated at 200 less mAh, they will actually have a greater runtime, in addition to being much safer. Remember that the mAh ratings are rated at a relatively low discharge rate.

 

[Bob96]

The red case and the black casw AW batterys use different chemistry. Any difference in how long each with hold a full charge in stand-by mode?

 

[ElectronGuru]

Any difference in how long each with hold a full charge in stand-by mode?

Anything Lithium is generally considered to have incidentally low self discharge rates, but here's the word from mdocod:

Very Very low self-discharge with no PCB to increase self discharge rate (they have a parasitic drain that shows up as more significant self-discharge in smaller cell sizes).

 

[GarageBoy]

The AW black label cells are rated 750 ma and the red ones at 550 ma. So the red can handle much higher amp. discharge but will have a lower run time?

BTW: it's mAh