CR123A Battery QUALITY (not only runtime)

[bertie123]

I've been looking at some very interesting threads about battery runtimes. but I was thinking, what about the quality apart from the runtime ?
I mean error, leaking batteries, or other problems..


So WICH BATTERIES ARE THE MOST RELIABLE ? (i was thinking to buy some cr123a titanium batteries or surfire(but the last ones are more expensive:ironic, so how are they ?)

Thanx for possible answers !! :thumbsup:

 

[Viper715]

Probably better if you posted in the battery forum but I think a Moderator will move it so I'll throw my two cents in here.

I have had experience with Surefire, battery station, titanium and Duracell 123 batteries. I have had many problems when using Surefire brand in high drain applications like incan lights. 1 battery in the middle of a 2 or 3 cell host would just go bad suddenly and without warning. I would turn the light off and then back on an poof. Duracell is my most favorite I have never had an issue with Duracell and the runtimes with them for me have been the best. I also have had no problems with Titanium or Battery station but have switched to all LED and don't use standard 123 in high drain applications. I have switched to nearly all RCR except for backup purposes. I always have a good stash of primaries for emergencies.

 

[bertie123]

Probably better if you posted in the battery forum but I think a Moderator will move it so I'll throw my two cents in here.

I have had experience with Surefire, battery station, titanium and Duracell 123 batteries. I have had many problems when using Surefire brand in high drain applications like incan lights. 1 battery in the middle of a 2 or 3 cell host would just go bad suddenly and without warning. I would turn the light off and then back on an poof. Duracell is my most favorite I have never had an issue with Duracell and the runtimes with them for me have been the best. I also have had no problems with Titanium or Battery station but have switched to all LED and don't use standard 123 in high drain applications. I have switched to nearly all RCR except for backup purposes. I always have a good stash of primaries for emergencies.

sorry for the wrong thread place, i'm new here :laughing: thanx for your answer ;p but i didn't understand what you said "switched to all LED and don't use standard 123 in high drain applications. I have switched to nearly all RCR except for backup purposes" what is RCR and does the titanium has it ? I would like to buy them for my Fenix PD30+ R2 ;p are they good for it ? thanx

 

[CaseyS]

RCR123a's, aka 16340's, are rechargeable cells. Titaniums, Surefires, 4sevens etc. are CR123a primary cells. The rechargeable cells have a higher voltage (3.6 vs. 3.0) so they're not always interchangeable with CR123a's.

 

[Viper715]

Since I joined here at CPF I learned that they make rechargeable 123 batteries. So I have started saving myself alot of money by using rechargeable or RCR batteries. AW is a brand that makes a very good RCR and it is what alot of people here use. You can do a search on google for AW RCR123 and it eill bring up some good results. I personally buy my batteries from 4sevens.com. Good price and has a CPF discount just use CPF8 for 8% off. Just go to that website and look in the batteries section. You might want to take a look throught the battery forum here on CPF and look at care fo Lithium Ion rechargeables. There is a lot of good info there. I suggest the WF-139 charger but the WF-138 works as well but only charges 123 batteries and my guess is that after you get more deeply involved around here you will want to take a look at some different battery configurations like the 18650 RCR. They hold a lot more energy than 123's.

 

[bansuri]

my guess is that after you get more deeply involved around here you will want to take a look at some different battery configurations like the 18650

That's the truth! If only I had known then what I know now.

 

[bertie123]

Since I joined here at CPF I learned that they make rechargeable 123 batteries. So I have started saving myself alot of money by using rechargeable or RCR batteries. AW is a brand that makes a very good RCR and it is what alot of people here use. You can do a search on google for AW RCR123 and it eill bring up some good results. I personally buy my batteries from 4sevens.com. Good price and has a CPF discount just use CPF8 for 8% off. Just go to that website and look in the batteries section. You might want to take a look throught the battery forum here on CPF and look at care fo Lithium Ion rechargeables. There is a lot of good info there. I suggest the WF-139 charger but the WF-138 works as well but only charges 123 batteries and my guess is that after you get more deeply involved around here you will want to take a look at some different battery configurations like the 18650 RCR. They hold a lot more energy than 123's.

Thanx :twothumbs but i think i'll start with some primaries, just to see how much i use them, and on batteryjunction they only cost me 11dollars i think for 12 titaniums cr123a, so i would like some comment on the primairies cr123a (titanium), but thanx and if i would ever buy myself rechargebles they will be the AW rcr123a ;D

 

[jimmyjames]

Rechargeable batteries are great for some applications but for like a flashlight in your glovebox, nightstand, toolbox...forget about it...they will always be dead when you need them...Murphy's Law.

 

[Viper715]

Rechargeable batteries are great for some applications but for like a flashlight in your glovebox, nightstand, toolbox...forget about it...they will always be dead when you need them...Murphy's Law.

That is very true. I forgot to mention that I always am using my lights and they get charged very regularly so I have very little need for primaries. But as I said I always have primaries on me just in case. Because you jut never know.

 

[bertie123]

Rechargeable batteries are great for some applications but for like a flashlight in your glovebox, nightstand, toolbox...forget about it...they will always be dead when you need them...Murphy's Law.

yeahh, i think you're right there ! when i'm camping i never know when i'll need it, and if i forget to recharge ore something ;p so they do go down even if the flashlight is not on ? damn that's quiet irritating i think

 

[labrat]

I have tried some different "Photo batteries", 3.0 Volts, from cheap offers here in Norway, cannot remember the names, and they never impressed with achieved runtime.
I have used Surefire and Sanyo (Made in Japan), and the ones that have been most consistent with the expected shelf life have been the Sanyo's.
Now I can get Surefire's in the shop here, and also in Bangkok I can find Surefires for a nice price when I find the right shops at the right times!
But I don't use standard, primary Lithium's much, they are only for the aforementioned "flashlight in your glovebox, nightstand, toolbox.."
RCR's I use Sanyo's too, when I can get them, did find a business here that did sell me some 18650's.
But for a price!

 

[bkumanski]

I bought the $1 Titaniums for my lights before I got my 18650s, and I still haven't used them all up yet. I have never had any problems with them, they are inexpensive, and hold a charge when left for extended periods and in adverse conditions (like a hot car). For me, no problems saving the money on these cells and I have nothing but good experiences with runtime.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

I've been looking at some very interesting threads about battery runtimes. but I was thinking, what about the quality apart from the runtime ?
I mean error, leaking batteries, or other problems..


So WICH BATTERIES ARE THE MOST RELIABLE ? (i was thinking to buy some cr123a titanium batteries or surfire(but the last ones are more expensive:ironic, so how are they ?)

Thanx for possible answers !! :thumbsup:

There are TONS of threads like yours in the Battery Section, check it out.

 

[berry580]

+1
This belongs in the battery section

There are TONS of threads like yours in the Battery Section, check it out.

 

[Unclemonkey]

If you're gonna go primary then choose titanium. Best overall value. Trust me, I've tried almost every primary available. However, this is just my opinion. Good luck!:wave:

 

[tygger]

Rechargeable batteries are great for some applications but for like a flashlight in your glovebox, nightstand, toolbox...forget about it...they will always be dead when you need them...Murphy's Law.

Sure, if you expect a rechargeable to behave like a lithium primary then you'll have dead batteries. As long as you stick with quality batteries and understand its limitations there should be no major surprises. But thats true for any battery really.

 

[bertie123]

+1
This belongs in the battery section

and where is the battery section ?

 

[BSBG]

and where is the battery section ?

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=9

 

[kramer5150]

Oops nm

 

[HarveyRich]

li-ion batteries hold their charge for a long time, so there's really no excuse for buying primaries. Also, if you're into NiMH, Eneloops (or any brand of self discharge NiMH battery) also hold their charge for a long time. Personally, I leave a flashlight in my glove compartment with an Eneloop in it. I know that the heat is supposed to degrade the battery, but it hasn't seemed to be a problem, even in summer. I recharge every 3 or 4 months.

Rechargeables have a lower carbon imprint and aren't "tossed" for a long time. Few on this forum talk about the effect of climate change or ever expanding need for trash dumps, but it's not just cost to the individual that counts, it's cost to society that is important.