Battery selection help please

[CeilingDweller]

I've pre ordered a P3D that uses 2 CR123 cells. I'm now considering my battery options. I have tried researching possible alternatives to primary CR123s. I've found protected 3.0v RCR123 700mah cells and I've seen protected 3.6v RCR123 900mah cells. Which would have a longer run time? I suspect due to the 3.6v output will make the 200 extra mah a wash? Then I have to wonder if the buck circuit in this light might make the 3.6v 900mah the better choice. I think that due to this buck circuit the extra voltage won't make the P3D any brighter.


How long is the shelf life on a typical RCR123 cell? Can anyone recommend a pretty good charger. One that is capable of charging a variety of different cells independently can top off can trickle charge or fast charge and capable of 120v or 12v DC input...I have a feeling I'm asking too much. Thanks for the help!

 

[CeilingDweller]

Anyone have anything?

 

[Oddjob]

A lot of people here get their batteries form AW. Here is the thread: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=140362

 

[rdh226]

As just mentioned above, AW has a variety of cells to suit your needs. Follow the
threads and links, there's copious info there. I don't think you can go wrong with
AW's stuff!

AmondoTech, Battery Junction, E-Lectric, and Lighthound are also all good
sources of batteries and chargers. Good odds that any given charger has been
reviewed here sometime in the past. (That's what the Google Search box at the
top of the page is for: use it, love it, it is your friend!)

As to which cell, eh, I suspect the overall variance in cells is not worth "worrying"
overmuch about... I don't off hand remember the details of the P3D (I've got a
P2D on order!), but if it'll run on a 17650 (or better 18650) LiIon that's by
far your best bet. I seem to recall that was discussed in the P3D/P2D thread.

The rechargeable Lithium-chemistry cells have a excellant shelf life (I presume
you're referring to how long they'll hold a charge just sitting'round); I seem to
recall it's on the order of 1-2% self-discharge a month (still have a good oomph
after a year!) versus horrible NiCd/NiMH which do on the order of 1-2% a day.

As to chargers, AW's chargers should fit most needs other than "fast" charging.
They're small and convenient; the "wildfire" (his new smart charger) runs on
12V (*wonderful feature!*). If you really want a hotrod charger, the Triton or
Duratrax ICE (to name only two of the "hobbiest" chargers with which I'm fa-
miliar) run on 12V only, so you'd need a outboard 120V power supply to
drive them), but will fast charge, slow charge, anything inbewteen, as well
as discharge then charge, a number of times, remembering each cycle so you
can see how the battery actually performs (i.e., what RealWorld(tm) mAh the
battery actually delivers, not what someone optimistically claims for the battery.

Silverfox has a number of threads on actual measured battery performance
under a variety of loads/conditions, so if you really care about battery performance,
you must do further due diligence and read his threads. They're quite interesting
(and fun reading).

-RDH

 

[CeilingDweller]

RDH I really appreciate your input and advice. There's so much battery technology out there I was getting myself lost. Thanks again you really helped me narrow my search and thus saved me lots of time. With a wife, two young boys, a job, and a dog (and a birthday coming up)... time is of the essence! Thanks man

 

[AFAustin]

There has been a lot of discussion as to whether 3.7v RCR123As are going to be OK in the P3D CE. I'd say it's looking pretty good, but I'm not sure we have the final word yet.

You might want to check this (short) thread, that has some cautionary comments:

http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=160826

However, in one or more of the other, longer, P3D/P2D threads, David (4sevens) says he's "99% sure" RCR123As will be OK in the P3D CE.