First off, mt lights consist of a Surefire G2 (with a drop in Cree Q5) and a Fenix T1 on the way to me. What are the best CR123 rechargeable batteries & charger? What is the difference between 750mah and 900mah batteries? Can I use CR123's with a 3.7V, or will these damage the light? Can the 2 x CR123's be replaced with a single 18650 in these lights? I am looking for output over battery life, thus getting rechargeables. Thank you.
first off, I am a new member and would like to learn... question on batts and charger
- Thread starter supawabb
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ACMarina
Flashlight Enthusiast
Welcome to CPF, Noober-eeno!
Just to kinda set things stright for you - CR123 batteries, in and of themselves, are not rechargable. R-CR123 (otherwise known as RCR123 among many other names) are rechargable.
As far as mAh is concerned, you can generally be safe with more mAh = more runtime. I think of it kinda like a gas tank - the more mAh, the further I get to go before I have to refill.
As far as weather 3.7 volts will damage the light, I really don't know on that one - I'm sure there are specifications on both the T1 and the dropin for your G2, and you'll just need to find the input voltage and make sure that it doesn't say 6v is the maximum.
18650 batteries tend to have a little more capacity, but they won't fit in all lights. In fact, most lights that hold a pair of CR123s won't take an 18650..
Does that answer your questions??
Just to kinda set things stright for you - CR123 batteries, in and of themselves, are not rechargable. R-CR123 (otherwise known as RCR123 among many other names) are rechargable.
As far as mAh is concerned, you can generally be safe with more mAh = more runtime. I think of it kinda like a gas tank - the more mAh, the further I get to go before I have to refill.
As far as weather 3.7 volts will damage the light, I really don't know on that one - I'm sure there are specifications on both the T1 and the dropin for your G2, and you'll just need to find the input voltage and make sure that it doesn't say 6v is the maximum.
18650 batteries tend to have a little more capacity, but they won't fit in all lights. In fact, most lights that hold a pair of CR123s won't take an 18650..
Does that answer your questions??
Dr.K
Enlightened
AW in the CPF marketplace!
I have yet to see an unsatisfied customer, I went thru some other brands and just dropped him some $$ for my first set(s) of his cells.
Good luck, and :welcome:
I have yet to see an unsatisfied customer, I went thru some other brands and just dropped him some $$ for my first set(s) of his cells.
Good luck, and :welcome:
mdocod
Flashaholic
Welcome to CPF!
For the fenix, I have no idea, if it's anything like the P3D it should take a pair of 3.7V RCR123s without a problem. But you'll take a big hit on runtime, to the tune of like 40 minutes or less on the highest setting(IIRC).
The G2 needs to be converted to either a "9V" or "3.7V" tactical lamp assembly in order to work with rechargeable cells, you will either use 2 RCR123s or 1 17670 depending on what you want out of the light. You might also consider an LED drop-in module instead to maximize runtime and get similar output (depending on how important it is to you that the light remain incandescent)
Neither the Fenix nor the G2 make very good rechargeable platforms unfortunately. The 18650 format cell has substantially more energy for a given volume. There are MANY lights out there that are specifically made to run on 18650s, SureFire and Fenix don't seem to have any interest in using the most energy dense economical rechargeable solution available to the consumer. bummer eh?
at least 2-3 times a week we have a thread asking which RCR123s to use in flashlight. Unfortunately, the answer is tough because none of the available options in "123" size are very good. They are all pretty poor performers capacity wise. They all come in around 500-600mAH.
For the fenix, I have no idea, if it's anything like the P3D it should take a pair of 3.7V RCR123s without a problem. But you'll take a big hit on runtime, to the tune of like 40 minutes or less on the highest setting(IIRC).
The G2 needs to be converted to either a "9V" or "3.7V" tactical lamp assembly in order to work with rechargeable cells, you will either use 2 RCR123s or 1 17670 depending on what you want out of the light. You might also consider an LED drop-in module instead to maximize runtime and get similar output (depending on how important it is to you that the light remain incandescent)
Neither the Fenix nor the G2 make very good rechargeable platforms unfortunately. The 18650 format cell has substantially more energy for a given volume. There are MANY lights out there that are specifically made to run on 18650s, SureFire and Fenix don't seem to have any interest in using the most energy dense economical rechargeable solution available to the consumer. bummer eh?
at least 2-3 times a week we have a thread asking which RCR123s to use in flashlight. Unfortunately, the answer is tough because none of the available options in "123" size are very good. They are all pretty poor performers capacity wise. They all come in around 500-600mAH.
Hi supawabb,
If you're using G2 with dropin and Fenix T1, I think you should acquire 17670 protected Lion Batteries for the flashlights.
Try this :
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3301
I am using this charger:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.936
( discard the 5.5V adapter, use the charge cradle with a Nokia 5V adapter).
If you're using G2 with dropin and Fenix T1, I think you should acquire 17670 protected Lion Batteries for the flashlights.
Try this :
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3301
I am using this charger:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.936
( discard the 5.5V adapter, use the charge cradle with a Nokia 5V adapter).
mdocod
Flashaholic
Re: Hello richdsu
sorry for some reason I misunderstood or misread what you said about the G2 the first time....post a link to the Q5 module you are using. So we can determine if it will run best on a 17670 or 2xRCR123s. Most of them work best on 2xRCR123s if you want regulated output, or they give you a steadily diminishing output on a 17670. (drops out of regulation pretty fast)
sorry for some reason I misunderstood or misread what you said about the G2 the first time....post a link to the Q5 module you are using. So we can determine if it will run best on a 17670 or 2xRCR123s. Most of them work best on 2xRCR123s if you want regulated output, or they give you a steadily diminishing output on a 17670. (drops out of regulation pretty fast)
Re: Hello richdsu
The Ultrafire 17670 fits perfectly in my Surefire G2 and 6P ( the diameter of this cell is just nicely fitted for these flashlights, no rattle). DSD charger cradle fits 17670 with no issue.
Do a fast search in this forum, 17670 battery with nipple at the positive end should be compatible for Fenix T1. ( I am intending to buy the Black verison of T1).
I'd recommend you stick to using 1 cell ( for Lion) in flashlights if possible, it is much safer. No worry of
phobia.
The Ultrafire 17670 fits perfectly in my Surefire G2 and 6P ( the diameter of this cell is just nicely fitted for these flashlights, no rattle). DSD charger cradle fits 17670 with no issue.
Do a fast search in this forum, 17670 battery with nipple at the positive end should be compatible for Fenix T1. ( I am intending to buy the Black verison of T1).
I'd recommend you stick to using 1 cell ( for Lion) in flashlights if possible, it is much safer. No worry of
phobia.
