Failure rate of RCR's?

RTTR

Newly Enlightened
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Jan 4, 2007
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I have put my AW Protected RCR cells aside right now for fear of them randomly venting inside my light, I've read a couple cases of this happening here on CPF and it worries me. Are there any statistics gathered that will give me an idea of the chances of it happening to me.
 
If you misuse them them you're more like to have an issue with them.

Randomly venting if properly treated?

I've read a couple cases of this happening here on CPF
Now find all the posts where someone says they use RCR's and those who have bought them, divide one by the other and you have your stat.s I bet a 0.0001% failure rate would be about right.

Treat them properly and you have no reason to be paranoid.

Do you drive a car btw?
 
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While I can't quote a specific statistical failure rate, I can advise that if you follow common safe practices for using RCR123 batteries they are generally quite safe. These practices include:

1. Not over charging the batteries (protection circuits help but should not be relied on solely)

2. Not over discharging the batteries (the protection circuit comment above applies along with the acknowledgment that the risk *follows* over discharge when you try to charge the battery)

3. Not using damaged batteries or ones that are showing very low no-load voltages.

4. Never mixing batteries that have different ages or charges.

Personally I tend to prefer single cell CR123 lights when using rechargeables but if you follow rule #4 above, you should be ok. Please read up on this forum on the details of safe lithium ion battery use. I don't believe an educated user poses significant risk to themselves or others.
 
Good point's Andrew.


Do you drive a car btw?

What does that have to do with anything? Although if you are trying to make a comparison of dying in a car crash compared to the chances of a Chinese battery failing, that's a little extreme don't you think?

If it means anything to you, I drive a 2005 Volkswagen GTI MKIV, 1.8T 5-Speed in Silverstone gray.
4345254032_3f640cd8e9.jpg
 
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I read that you should try to always avoid fully discharging AW RCR123's or any rechargable. Does that mean I need to time my flashlight usage and pull the cells at 50-70% discharge? It would be a real pain to have to pull out the volt meter to check them during use.
 
Good point's Andrew.




What does that have to do with anything? Although if you are trying to make a comparison of dying in a car crash compared to the chances of a Chinese battery failing, that's a little extreme don't you think?

If it means anything to you, I drive a 2005 Volkswagen GTI MKIV, 1.8T 5-Speed in Silverstone gray.
4345254032_3f640cd8e9.jpg


The very-well-documented high incidence of expensive damages to property, person, and life don't discourage you there; so just be fair to your flashlights.
 
RTTR, good RCR123's such as AW's in my opinion, are not as likely to "vent with flame" as a primary lithium cell. That doesn't mean it can't happen, but it's very unlikely if you follow the rules, as others have suggested. There are far more instances of lithium primaries "venting with flame" on the Forum, than Li-Ion cells.

I read that you should try to always avoid fully discharging AW RCR123's or any rechargable. Does that mean I need to time my flashlight usage and pull the cells at 50-70% discharge? It would be a real pain to have to pull out the volt meter to check them during use.

What you read is true. Li-Ion cells take a little more effort to maintain and use properly. The trade off is superior performance.

It's not as hard as it seems to prevent over discharging/discharging until the protection circuit trips. Once you become familiar with a light, you know about how long it runs, without a stop watch. It's pretty easy to gauge how much you use it, and charge/change cells before you run them down too far. If your light runs about an hour, try to charge the cell(s) when you think your 3/4 of the way there.

Also, keep in mind that Li-Ion cells can be recharged at any time, without any penalty. This alone helps prevent over discharging. If you run your light 10 minutes at a time, charge the cell(s) every two or three uses. That way, in the above example, you'll have a good reserve, if needed.

One thing I personally don't do, take the above example, a light that runs for one hour, I don't run it 5 minutes and then charge the cells. I aim for the most part, to run the cells down about halfway before charging. This strategy is less of a chore, and still gives me a 1/2 hour reserve, if I need it. Also bear in mind that Li-Ion cells suffer the least internal degradation when they are about half charged.

As far as checking the voltage of your cells, that is something that goes with Li-Ion cell usage. It is a good idea and keeps you abreast of the cells performance and condition. This is much more important with Li-Ions than other chemistry cells, and just goes with the territory. :)

Dave
 
Great writeup 45/70

You make me feel more at ease about using them now.
 
If you fear 2xRCR123A = Go 18650 ...

Several issues with RCR123A CR123A -
1/ State of charge = mixing cells with different charge levels
2/ Discharge rate = often the cells discharge at different rates , whether this is a heat issue or simply in internal resistance thing ?
3/ Moving to single cell solves these issues = rather than 2xCR123A use 18650 , or buy smaller single cell CR123A lights
4/ If you have to use 2xCR123A , then buy a multimeter and test the batteries before use .
5/ Most problem occur when there is a short , or mixed state of charge cells are used . So definitely some care needed when using these little hand grenades .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DcpANRFrI4&feature=related
 
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