leprechaun414
Enlightened
I had a question about what the benifit ad drawback of runing a 18650 or two RCR123A? Also I see the capacity has a range and wondered if there was also benifits and drawbacks? Kinda new to the rechargeable world.
Difference in 18650 and two RCR123A
- Thread starter leprechaun414
- Start date
Help Support Candle Power Flashlight Forum
Lighthouse one
Flashlight Enthusiast
A single 18650 will usually have double the runtime of 2 rcr123a cells...depending on the light an 18650 may not be as bright as 2 rcr123a cells. Some lights will blow the Led though with 2 rcr123a cells. A single 18650 is also much safer than 2 rcr123a cells together...If one cell loses too much voltage- the more powerful cell can cause it to overheat. I much prefer the 18650 myself. THe rcr123a cells are much better in a single cell light.
mdocod
Flashaholic
an RCR123 has about 550mAH capacity, an 18650 has about 2200mAH capacity.
So, a single 18650 has about 8 watt/hours of total "power" available.
And, a pair of RCR123s has about 4 watt/hours of total "power" available...
So like lighthouse said, about double the runtime on an 18650 if you are dealing with the same output levels. (like a regulated LED with boost/buck)...
So, a single 18650 has about 8 watt/hours of total "power" available.
And, a pair of RCR123s has about 4 watt/hours of total "power" available...
So like lighthouse said, about double the runtime on an 18650 if you are dealing with the same output levels. (like a regulated LED with boost/buck)...
VidPro
Flashlight Enthusiast
the draw back , IF (a big if) the curcuit stuff can handle BOTH the 2x3.6v or the 3.6v and you use the one 3.6v most of this regulator stuff they are using, will have the light run lower.
a perfect regulation would not decrease in output when the voltage changed, most of this stuff isnt perfect.
so lots of duel capable lights like this that will do 7.2 or 3.6 will lower in output a bit, and use less current, giving you even more runtime.
thank the flashlight gods that they are designing around the 18650, which has always had loads of power , and low weight, and potnetially could be put in a tube that would still fit easily the pocket (hint hint).
then (if you dont know) some lights will not work with the rechargable thing, so make sure of what the light can do.
most 2x123s will not be ruined with a SINGLE 18650 or 17650.
a perfect regulation would not decrease in output when the voltage changed, most of this stuff isnt perfect.
so lots of duel capable lights like this that will do 7.2 or 3.6 will lower in output a bit, and use less current, giving you even more runtime.
thank the flashlight gods that they are designing around the 18650, which has always had loads of power , and low weight, and potnetially could be put in a tube that would still fit easily the pocket (hint hint).
then (if you dont know) some lights will not work with the rechargable thing, so make sure of what the light can do.
most 2x123s will not be ruined with a SINGLE 18650 or 17650.
Last edited:
Curious_character
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2006
- Messages
- 1,211
What I've seen in several lights which can use either 18650 or 2xRCR123A is that they have a buck converter capable of only lowering the voltage. (There are a few exceptions to this, but I don't have any.) So whenever the battery voltage drops to a few tenths of a volt (or more) above the LED voltage, they quit regulating and revert to essentially direct drive mode. With an 18650, then, you get regulated output for only a fairly short time, then the regulator drops out and you get declining light output along with an exceptionally long run time.
c_c
c_c
