A while back, a long while back I should say, I posted about 123a batteries for a Malkoff MD2. I "think" a resident candlepower forumite makes the "AW RCR123". Where would I go to purchase a pair of these batteries with protective circuitry and a charger? I would be using them on an MD2 with the m61 head (and possibly an m60 mc-e in the future).
AW RCR123 questions
- Thread starter harkamus
- Start date
reeso
Newly Enlightened
Oh wow. Thanks. My brain is about to explode looking at that link though. On quick glance, I noticed that the rcr123 is now named 16340? So that leaves two possible battery choices, the IMR 16340 http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?p=2272984#post2272984 or the LiFePO4 R123 http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=125353 , although the latter I'm guessing is not a Li Ion battery. Which is better?
I noticed that I couldn't find anymore AW RCR123. Are these discontinued in favor of a better/newer battery?
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don.gwapo
Enlightened
You can get them at lighthound and 4sevens of which I got my aw rcr123's. As for which is better, I leave it to the battery expert.
4sevens is like 3 miles from my house, although they don't have a retail space. I may drive up there one day and see if I can buy them direct, if I decide which battery is the best for this application.
Dances with Flashlight
Flashlight Enthusiast
The RCR-123 is sized 16340. I believe AW still offers three batteries in this size, the LiIon RCR-123, the IMR-16340, and the LiFePO4-123.
Review AW's Sales Thread and other threads in this sub-forum for more information about the chemistry and performance differences between these batteies.
Review AW's Sales Thread and other threads in this sub-forum for more information about the chemistry and performance differences between these batteies.
hoongern
Enlightened
The AW RCR123 is still available - it is the Protected R123A ( 750 mAH ) which goes for $6 each.
This should be fine for your purposes - and for most general use. If you don't want to be potentially confused by the various types of cells, don't read on. However... if you want to...
Regarding the different types - they are all Lithium Ion cells. However, they make use of different chemistries for their cathodes (you can look up lithium ion on wikipedia).
The AW RCR123 is cobalt based, the IMR16340 is manganese based, and the LiFePO4 is iron phosphate based.
As for the differences between them:
Safety: The cobalt RCR is the unsafest (Can "rapidly vent with flame"). IMR is safer, and LiFePO4 is the safest.
Protection: As the cobalt cells are unsafe, protection circuits are added - in the case of AW's cells - hence your Protected R123A. The safer IMR cells and safe LiFePO4 cells don't have protection circuits. Protection circuits protect against overcharging/overdischarging/overcurrent but normally make the cells slightly larger.
Voltage: The RCR (Cobalt) and IMR cells both ~ 3.7V, although the IMR cells are generally a bit higher. Meanwhile, the LiFePO4 cells work at ~ 3.2V. As such, the LiFePO4 needs a different charger from the RCR/IMR cells
Capacity/Energy: The LiFePO4s have the least amount of energy (500mAh*3.2V = 1.6Wh), while the IMR has slightly more (550mAh*3.7V = 2Wh), while the RCR (Cobalt) has the most (It's advertised 750mAh, although in reality it's probably about 650mAh*3.7V = 2.4Wh).
However, at high discharge rates, the cobalt RCR looses a lot of capacity, and the IMR maintains higher capacity.
Discharge Rate: The cobalt cells can only be used up to ~ 1.4Amps discharge, while the IMR cells can be discharged up to 5Amps. I wouldn't use the LiFePO4s > 1.5Amps, although they can handle high loads such as 5Amps with very little capacity.
Hmm.. I gotta go. Hopefully that's enough information.
mdocod
Flashaholic
As I understand, the M61 will run very nicely on a single 18650 size protected li-ion cell. This would be the preferred way to go if you are wanting the best possible run-time. While it probably won't run at full brightness through the discharge, the run-time on the 18650 will likely be 2-3+X as long as on a pair of RCR123s. If I had to choose which R123 style cell to use for the M61 in a 2 cell host, it would be the protected R123 Cobalt based cells, as they will offer the best run-time compared to other chemistry options and protection against over-discharged, since these modules would be capable of over-discharging a pair of unprotected cells.
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The MCE module on the other hand needs 5V or better to run right. It will draw about an amp or so from a pair of li-ion cells. This is still within reason for the protected R123s, I would go with those.
Eric
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The MCE module on the other hand needs 5V or better to run right. It will draw about an amp or so from a pair of li-ion cells. This is still within reason for the protected R123s, I would go with those.
Eric
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