Battery Advice For RA Clicky??

[L84CABO]

Hi Folks

So I'm pretty sure I'm going to purchase an RA Clicky Tactical 170 and I'm considering running it on rechargeable Li-Ions. I've been doing a lot of reading on the rechargeables and there certainly is a lot to learn. So here are my questions:

1. Will I get greater run time, less run time or about the same using a single rechargeable 123 as a primary cell?

2. I know the AW rechargeables are highly regarded...at least I think they are by what I've read. I also noticed that the AW rechargeables are rated at 750mAh. Then I noticed that HDS sells Battery Station rechargeables and that these are rated at 900mAh. I've read so much in the last few days that my brain is on overload. I thought, however, that I came across a comparison thread and the Battery Station rechargeables faired better than the AW's for run time...which I assume makes sense since they are 900mAh. Or am I wrong about this? My real question is, which is going to be the best rechargeable for this light? I was also thinking that it might be significant that HDS chose Battery Station and that this is probably at least a solid choice if not the best choice

3. I've noticed that the RCR123's are rated at either 3.6V or 3.7V. How significant is this (guess I have a bit more to read on this)?

4. Any comments about my choice in running rechargeables, my choice in the RA Clicky, etc., are apprciated. I'm looking at the Pila IBC btw for the charger...at least I think I confirmed that it can charge the 123's using spacers.

Thanks for the help...and patience with a newbie!

Peace

 

[lrp]

Very good questions, I'd like to know as well! I'm currently using the Batterystation RCR123's cells and I like them a lot, have not done any test to see if they last longer than AW's cells which I previously used and liked, but I might run a runtime test this weekend for us "newbies".

 

[Blades]

SO did we find the best battery for our Ra Clicky 170's??

I want to switch to rechargables also, and I was about to order some Battery Station batteries from Lighthound(for some reason they are cheaper at Lighthound then Battery Station), but I decided to "search" CPF first.
My son has a Nano Charger that came with his Lummi Wee, so I'll be using that to charge whatever R123's I end up with.
Thanks for any help.

 

[Blades]

I ordered 2 from Lighthound. We'll see how they work in my Ra and Fenix P1.

 

[Blades]

Question about my rechargeable batteries:
Should I let the battery discharge completely before I recharge it? I use it in my Ra Clicky till it doesn't light up the 170 flash, so I swapped it out for a fresh battery. I was going to put it in my P1 to discharge all the way, but decided to double check with the experts.

Thanks!

Jason

 

[CaseyS]

Only NiCd batteries tolerate deep discharges well.

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-21.htm

 

[Blades]

Only NiCd batteries tolerate deep discharges well.

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-21.htm

Thanks, and thanks for the link.


Jason

 

[Moka]

1. Will I get greater run time, less run time or about the same using a single rechargeable 123 as a primary cell?

2. I know the AW rechargeables are highly regarded...at least I think they are by what I've read. I also noticed that the AW rechargeables are rated at 750mAh. Then I noticed that HDS sells Battery Station rechargeables and that these are rated at 900mAh. I've read so much in the last few days that my brain is on overload. I thought, however, that I came across a comparison thread and the Battery Station rechargeables faired better than the AW's for run time...which I assume makes sense since they are 900mAh. Or am I wrong about this? My real question is, which is going to be the best rechargeable for this light? I was also thinking that it might be significant that HDS chose Battery Station and that this is probably at least a solid choice if not the best choice

3. I've noticed that the RCR123's are rated at either 3.6V or 3.7V. How significant is this (guess I have a bit more to read on this)?

4. Any comments about my choice in running rechargeables, my choice in the RA Clicky, etc., are apprciated. I'm looking at the Pila IBC btw for the charger...at least I think I confirmed that it can charge the 123's using spacers.
Peace

To answer ur questions...

1. This link Has plenty of information including a couple of my own runtime tests from when I first got my Clicky... There is as a general rule less runtime with the RCR, however majority of users find it's over the 1hr mark for RCRs so makes no never mind really...

2. I can't answer about the comparison, but will say that AW cells are the way to go... Recommend them highly as they are protected... Even though the Clicky has overdischarge protection for Li-ion cells you can never be too careful...

3. Different voltage rating can make a difference for other lights... But IMHO it doesn't matter for lights like the Clicky... The Clicky can take up to 4.5V, majority of RCR's top out @ 4.2V and if you're using a Pila IBC you can be (almost) Guaranteed it'll come out of the charger at 4.1-4.2V

4. My thoughts are rather simple... RCR = Better option if it's available... even if you buy the cheapest Primaries and use them the cost of them is far outweighed by buying two RCR and alternating them (one on charge one in the torch etc).
Torches like the clicky are made for RCRs and AFAIK (perhaps someone else like Henry could elaborate more on it) have detection built in to distinguish between RCR123s and Primaries...
The RCR runtime difference is a moot-point for me... I always leave home with a fresh (or close to fresh) rechargeable cell (something you just can't do with primaries without a large cost) and always have a spare primary somewhere at hand just in case...

In conclusion... Go the RCR123s... I do recommend AW cells over others but as always YMMV...

-Moka
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