CR123 Questions

[1011Tristar]

I appreciate all the responses I have gotten on previous questions, and since many here are far more knowledgeable than me, I have a few more questions regarding CR123 cells:
1. I purchased some matchstick holders at WalMart to hold 2 cells. The holders are great, but they are airtight. Should I drill a vent hole in each holder?

2. I recall that someone did extensive tests on CR123 cells some time ago that was very helpful. Are there any recent tests of 123 cells?

3. In addition to the Invoa X5 I just purchased, I have an Inova T2, T5, and Fenix P1D-CE-Q5. In another thread someone said to not run down 123 cells to nothing. My T2 gets quite dim when the cells get low. How do I know when I need (for safety) to replace the cells in the X5 and the Fenix?

Thank you all in advance for your answers.

 

[Grox]

I appreciate all the responses I have gotten on previous questions, and since many here are far more knowledgeable than me, I have a few more questions regarding CR123 cells:
1. I purchased some matchstick holders at WalMart to hold 2 cells. The holders are great, but they are airtight. Should I drill a vent hole in each holder?

2. I recall that someone did extensive tests on CR123 cells some time ago that was very helpful. Are there any recent tests of 123 cells?

3. In addition to the Invoa X5 I just purchased, I have an Inova T2, T5, and Fenix P1D-CE-Q5. In another thread someone said to not run down 123 cells to nothing. My T2 gets quite dim when the cells get low. How do I know when I need (for safety) to replace the cells in the X5 and the Fenix?

Thank you all in advance for your answers.

Hi,

This question is probably better off in the electronics & batteries forum!

1. There is no need to drill holes in the matchbox holder. One of the major draws of using such a setup is that it is waterpoof; holes would be a disadvantage from that standpoint. Just having the batteries in the holder doesn't do anything to them; gas buildup is not a problem.

2. Have a look at this thread: stickied in the electronics & batteries forum. The 123 battery shootout thread is what you are looking for. I would highly recommend going for name brand made in usa cells for safety, quality and consistency. The new batch (made in usa) of battery station batteries are excellent value at the cpf price of 1.25 each.

3. This is quite a contentious question. There is a good thread in the sticky thread that you should read. Primary lithium ion cells tend to be dangerous (explode, catch fire or vent) when they are a) mismatched b) poor quality and c) under high current draw. Many cpfers (me included) use the X5 to use up the last little bit of juice in our cells - we only do this when we know that the cells we're using have been equally used (eg. they came out of an A2 as a pair). The problems arise in high current draw situations when you use multiple poor quality batteries and one cell becomes more discharged than others, current runs through the cell in a reverse direction and the cells heat up rapidly. So use quality cells (ie. made in usa) and zts test them before use if you want to be absolutely sure that they're matched.

 

[Paul6ppca]

All the talk of 2, or more 123 has persuaded me to stay with single cell lights.With todays advancements 1 cell lights are plenty bright for me,if I do use 2 cell lights they are nimh.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Tristar,

I will move this over to the batteries and electronics section of the forum, and you can continue your discussion over there.

Tom