AW RCR123's could Ruin My Fenix P1-CE ?????

[bigmikey]

I am really confused now. I just bought a fenix P1/ce light from here on the forums. It should be here today.

He included a new cr123 battery with it, but I need some rechargeables for when that first battery dies.

Anyway I was looking on 4 sevens website and I was about to order the set with an AW charger including 2 Aw rcr123 750 Mah batteries, and I noticed it said those batteries only work on a few fenix lights. It said it may ruin the p1D which is basically the light that I am getting except mine doesnt have all the levels.

So why would they ruin my light. I am very confused.


Also does anyone know exactly which charger and AW RCR123 batteries will work fine in my light, and which website has them the cheapest?.


Thanks in advance.

 

[Alan_P]

Cr123 primary batteries put out 3 volts. The AW rechargables will put out 4.2 when they come off the charger. The voltage will slowly drop down to 3.6 volts. Some flashlights have regulators designed to handle 4.2 volts, some do not. The Fenix CE is not rated for 4.2 volts.

 

[matrixshaman]

You can buy rechargeable batteries that are 3 volt - either with different chemistry that yields around 3 volt or with a PCB inside the battery that keeps the voltage down to around 3 volts.

 

[Nake]

People have been running R123 in P1s, Lux and Cree, since they first came out, as I have also. I've never heard of anyone cooking their light because of it. That is not to say it won't happen. Fenix puts quality components in their circuit boards that can take the little bit of extra voltage. This is my opinion from experience.

 

[zx7dave]

+1 while I have heard of a few failures out there I have 9 Fenix models and run RCR's in all of them...from The original P1 to the current models...never any issues and been doing it 1 1/2 years now..I run nothing but AW's..maybe that helps...

 

[Derek Dean]

OR...... you can play it safe and order a set of AW 3.2 volt LiFePO4 batteries and charger combo:

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=184670

Scroll down until you see this:
*** LiFePO4 R123 $6.00 each. Shipping $4.50 up to 6 cells.
Combo set ( charger w/ 2 cells ) $23.00. Shipping $5.5/set ***

I think the main downside to the LiFePO4 cell is the short runtime, probably about 30 minutes, so keep a few primary lithium CR123 batteries for those times when you think you might need longer runtime or for when the power goes out.

And for many of your rechargeable battery questions check out this site for an excellent and comprehensive overview of most of the available rechargeable technologies along with appropriate precautions and suggestions for proper use:
http://www.batteryuniversity.com/

 

[bigmikey]

Yeah Derek. Thats just the set I ordered. I got to try out the light tonight, and I am pretty impressed. I dont know how well it would hold up to drops on the ground though.
I hope its tough enough.

 

[jzmtl]

Just know that LiFePO4 cells have really shitty capacity. For comparison, primary cells have 1200 mah, LiFePO4 probably have 400 tops.

 

[Tomcat!]

Yeah Derek. Thats just the set I ordered. I got to try out the light tonight, and I am pretty impressed. I dont know how well it would hold up to drops on the ground though.
I hope its tough enough.

I've had P1s in various forms on keychain duty for four-ish years and have never had any problems. I've dropped them on the concrete floors at work or the paved area outside my house heaven knows how many times with no ill effect. When I've upgraded to the next model, the only damage I've seen is a thin wear mark around the edge of the tail from the daily battering of keys. That's it! In fact, the perceived size/thickness/weight ratio gives me total confidence it the robustness of the design so I don't even think about it. Forget about it for weeks and one day when you need light, twist and you have light. IMHO if you don't have it attached to anything you are more likely to lose it than break it. If it's not for key duty, how about a lanyard, particularly if you're using it a lot?. It's pretty small and unobtrusive to wear. If you want it for your pocket, a wrist strap or at least a glow in the dark attachment so you can find it if you drop it.

 

[Nake]

I was just looking a Fenix's description of the P1 CE, and it's rated input voltage is 1.5V to 4.0V. So, if it's okay with Fenix, it should be okay with you. Stop being so paranoid and enjoy your light.

Here's another thread on running 4.0V in the P1.

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=134158

 

[bigmikey]

great. Now I gotta figure out how to change my order with AW from the lifePO4s to the rcr123s.