Cheap RC 123's for Aussies

LEDBE
Don't expect them to be 1000mAh, probably closer to 600mAh. Very similar batteries here they work out about A$11.60 for 6 and would be similar capacity.
The capacity of all the Chinese batteries needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
these seem to work well and have the added advantage of being protected.
Good to see a new Melbourne member here :)
Norm
 
I'll be interested on how these perform. But they are not protected which makes it less attractive for many.

I was going to get some AW's as it has very good reputation. But are expensive.....
So I was looking around and saw that KD are selling their own brand of RCRs now.
KD claim it has same true capacity as AW. Seems to have full protection also.

http://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=4512

I've ordered them today and will compare them to my cheaper Trustfire RCRs when it arrives.
 
Force Attuned said:
Purchased a set of 6 x 3.7V Rechargeable 123 batteries for my LED Surefires.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/RECHARGEABLE...ryZ40971QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This is the cheapest I have seen them.
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As many of our fellow CPF'ers have learned, use caution when purchasing batteries from unknown sources, including those shipping from Hong Kong. Unfortunately you don't know if those are quality cells, factory seconds, or made in a factory in someone's back yard.

From his feedback (which is suspicious due to it being set to not show which item the feedback is for):

rubbish battery, only1/5 capacity, some bursted during recharge and burn my hand (4 May 2008)
Click to expand...
Also remember most people leave feedback on receipt of the item, and may not have actually used it before posting. As a result, a problem that occurs two days later won't show up there. Several people report recent battery problems in his feedback, which makes me wonder what the actual failure rate is.

I don't sell batteries yet, so I'm not preserving my interests here, but would encourage looking elsewhere for batteries. I'd be interested in seeing how the KD ones pan out, but when it comes to Lithium-ion, I don't want to be the guinea pig.

Edit: I just had a look at the KD cells, and noticed that nobody has left any feedback on them yet. Be careful out there!

Regards,
Eric
 
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Wow!!! from the ebay page...

"Life : 10 years Shelf Life"

If you like to have it tested for capacity and discharge curve, let me know I have a few battery analyzers.
 
aussiebob said:
Hello,:)
How do they compare runtime wise to disopsables like SF etc?
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Typical good (eg. USA, ie SF, rayovac, energizer) disposable are about 1500mAh. Have a look at the threads of interest sticky in this forum for links to a comprehensive CR123A testing thread.
 
Grox said:
Typical good (eg. USA, ie SF, rayovac, energizer) disposable are about 1500mAh. Have a look at the threads of interest sticky in this forum for links to a comprehensive CR123A testing thread.
Click to expand...
I thought they may have very little runtime, ive only ever used disposables, now i might get some.
Thankyou:)
 
My advice would be to head to batterystation.com and check out their cpf special price - right now they are offering batterystation.com made in usa batteries for $1.00 a piece - a bargain.
 
Grox said:
My advice would be to head to batterystation.com and check out their cpf special price - right now they are offering batterystation.com made in usa batteries for $1.00 a piece - a bargain.
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Unless you are looking somewhere different from me, those are Lithium primaries and as such would be illegal to ship via Airmail in that quantity (box of 50).

Regards,
Eric
 
Wow is that true?!?! I didn't know that.
Dealers ship Surefire 123s to me all the time with "Lithium Battery" written in custom declaration.

Is this a new regulation or just QLD?
 
Citivolus said:
Unless you are looking somewhere different from me, those are Lithium primaries and as such would be illegal to ship via Airmail in that quantity (box of 50).

Regards,
Eric
Click to expand...

I, and many others I know, have lithium batteries frequently shipped via airmail. I'm not sure of the legalities - there have been many threads on CPF about the particulars.

In any case, the onus lies on the vendor rather than the buyer.

There is no further point in discussing this topic as has little to do with the OP. Let's stay on topic.
 
primaries are not approved for transport by general post(in the us) due to some cheap chinese batteries exploding in aircraft(in a pressurised cabin:ironic:), only couriers are approved for transportation(fedex ups etc). although the law has not been enforced to date :twothumbs

rechargeables are unrestricted

the cheapest place i have found sf123s for $3 at http://www.kenmax.com.au/

... their website is broken atm ...

i have recently only moved to rechargeables, and its AW all the way

better be careful with those, they look unprotected. :duh2:
 
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1. My brother is a customs officer and I have checked this with him, primary 123A = 11 cells max legal by airmail, I don't think it's written anywhere the Australian govt expects everyone to know magically. The buyer is responsible for bringing them in and can be fined because the seller is not subject to Australian law - makes sense I guess, someone has to generate revenue.

2. About the only protected Li Ion cells I trust are AW's - never had any problems, true capacities, hold voltage well, excellent protection circuits, great pricing and service that embarrasses Australian over the counter service standards. I have Kaidomain 2 D Li Ion pack that I want to re-pack and send to him and have someone shove up his a**e, dangerous piece of junk.

Over volt protection doesn't work they just keep accepting charge after 4.2v
Under volt protection doesn't work, they just keep draining below 2.5v
charger just keeps charging aver 4.2v until God only knows when

If you try and communicate this to them you get some useless Engrish response that basically means "get lost we don't care if our product burns your house down with you in it"

I've tried a few others too, I only trust AW cells they're the only ones so far that haven't done anything they shouldn't.

I just would not buy Li Ion cells from an unknown and unreliable seller
 
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