battery questions

[IRML]

what are CR123As? are they some sort of rechargable battery or just another type of battery that's smaller than AA? I'm guessing they're a bit like AA in that you can get both rechargable and non rechargable ones, but I've never seen them or used them before so I wouldn't know

are they expensive or can I find them just like I would find a pack of AAs in a shop?

also I read about lithium batteries blowing up in flashlights, I understand the reasons why they blow up, but I'm wondering does this just apply to rechargables or would my energizer lithium AAs also blow?

thanks

 

[Marduke]

what are CR123As? are they some sort of rechargable battery or just another type of battery that's smaller than AA? I'm guessing they're a bit like AA in that you can get both rechargable and non rechargable ones, but I've never seen them or used them before so I wouldn't know

are they expensive or can I find them just like I would find a pack of AAs in a shop?

also I read about lithium batteries blowing up in flashlights, I understand the reasons why they blow up, but I'm wondering does this just apply to rechargables or would my energizer lithium AAs also blow?

thanks

Google is your friend

 

[IRML]

I've looked but all I can find is places that sell them, I thought you guys could explain to me more clearly anyway

 

[Hitthespot]

You have a lot of questions. Don't feel bad most of us did when we started. You posted this in the wrong section. You want to post battery questions in the electronics section. This post may be moved there.

CR123 are Lithium batteries. They are only 3/4 the height of a AA battery but are bigger in diameter. They have more energy than a standard Alkaline AA battery and because they are shorter, they have become very popular for flashlight use. Yes they come in rechargable. R123 and they are Li-ion batteries. They are also available in different voltages so you have to be cafeful.

Make sure you read as much information as you can before diving into the Li-ion field. You must be careful what batteries you place in what lights. It can be dangerous but treated correctly can be used very safely also.

Bill

 

[revance]

This will probably answer all your questions...

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/

On that site it explains naming conventions of batteries and how the different chemistries work. All well worth reading.

To quickly touch on a couple important points, CR123s are a 3v lithium primary cell... not 1.5v alkaline like AA. Lithium cells can be made in 1.5v, so some companies make a lithium AA cell. The rechargeable CR123s are lithium-ion... these are 3.7v which is higher than the regular CR123s so they cannot be used in many lights. Some rechargeables are sold as 3v, but they are really just 3.7v with circuitry to lower the voltage... most people agree these are less than desirable. Rechargeable AA, AAA, etc. are not lithium ion because they must be 1.5v, so they are usually NiMH or NiCd.

 

[IRML]

sorry I just posted it in the same forum I posted the last questions, I didn't think you'd have a separate area for this

again thanks for the quick replies, the specs for the P3D on fenix store don't say what voltage like they do with the L2D, but when I look at the P2D it says 3v so I guess it'll be the same, I guess that means non-rechargable then? (although the P3D does have a different head so maybe it could take 3.7v) tbh I'd rather not use rechargable because it seems like more hassle, but if it means better performance then I'll do it

so the whole energizer lithium thing with AAs doesn't actually matter because these are lithiums already? or is there a higher quality brand of these CR123A batteries out there anyway

 

[Marduke]

sorry I just posted it in the same forum I posted the last questions, I didn't think you'd have a separate area for this

again thanks for the quick replies, the specs for the P3D on fenix store don't say what voltage like they do with the L2D, but when I look at the P2D it says 3v so I guess it'll be the same, I guess that means non-rechargable then? (although the P3D does have a different head so maybe it could take 3.7v) tbh I'd rather not use rechargable because it seems like more hassle, but if it means better performance then I'll do it

so the whole energizer lithium thing with AAs doesn't actually matter because these are lithiums already? or is there a higher quality brand of these CR123A batteries out there anyway

The P3D can handle up to 9v I believe.

There are differences in the brands of RCR123's and CR123's. The various threads in the battery subforum are a good read.

 

[Jarl]

A P3D head is different to a P2D head- it can take far higher voltages. It is designed for 2 primaries, but you can get custom bodies that take 3 lithium CR123's, so it will be safe with 2 R CR123's.



The energizer lithiums can deliver higher discharge rates without droop, which alkalines suffer from. They hold more energy than current rechargeables, and are far better for cold weather.

 

[IRML]

cool, so would the extra voltage from the rechargables make the beam brighter when using them compared to non-rechargables?

 

[DM51]

I'm moving this to 'Batteries Included'.

 

[Oddjob]

cool, so would the extra voltage from the rechargables make the beam brighter when using them compared to non-rechargables?

Extra voltage typically means brighter for a direct drive light IIRC. You would not see any difference in regulated light. The advantage of rechargeables for me is cost as well performance.

With some primaries (non rechargeables) you will still have a fair amount of juice left in them even after they can no longer power light on a high level. For example in my HDS, a primary may not be able to power up the max but can have plenty of juice for the lower levels. This is fine but when it is in my pocket I want to have max available. With a RCR123 if it cannot power up max then I just swap batteries and charge the used cell.

I do have to say that there is a learning curve with Li-ON's and if you really interested in using them you should do research and invest in a multimetre and good charger.

 

[Mr Happy]

A few more answers for you.

CR123A cells are sometimes knowns as "photo lithiums" because they were often used to power compact film cameras before digital cameras came along. They pack a lot of power and a couple of them could run a camera for months before needing replacement.

When bought in retail stores they tend to be very expensive, up to $8 a piece, so not nice for disposable use in flashlights. Look on the battery rack of any drug store or similar and you will see them. To get the good deals for flashlight use you typically need to buy them on line and in bulk.

Personally I don't like the cost and inconvenience and avoid lights that use them.

 

[IRML]

^one of the reasons I originally went with the L2D instead of the P3D is because I was unsure if there would be any inconvenience, I knew I'd be fine buying AAs but I'd never heard of CR123As before

Extra voltage typically means brighter for a direct drive light IIRC. You would not see any difference in regulated light.

so in a regulated light like the P3D would that extra power serve to extend battery life or would it be wasted as heat or something

if they are expensive and inconvenient I'll definately look at rechargables, but I don't know if it's worth the hassle if I can find a nice cheap supply of regular ones

 

[Marduke]

^one of the reasons I originally went with the L2D instead of the P3D is because I was unsure if there would be any inconvenience, I knew I'd be fine buying AAs but I'd never heard of CR123As before
so in a regulated light like the P3D would that extra power serve to extend battery life or would it be wasted as heat or something

if they are expensive and inconvenient I'll definately look at rechargables, but I don't know if it's worth the hassle if I can find a nice cheap supply of regular ones

A "cheap" supply of CR123's are about $1.50 each. You can get them as cheap as $1 each, but the quality of those are usually pretty iffy.

 

[IRML]

I was looking at some panasonic ones for about $1.50 each at battery junction, comming from the UK that seems pretty cheap to me