How long do 18650 and RCR123 batts hold their charge?

[strinq]

Did a little search but couldn't find the answer. Does anyone know?
Are they as efficient as the eneloops (maintaining 90% after 6 months and 85% after 12)?
I'm guessing they don't but does anyone know the general time in which they can hold their charge?
Cheers.

 

[TooManyGizmos]

I'd say about the same ........ or better.

 

[strinq]

Thanks for the reply man.
Just only manage to get some short articles on the,=m.

NimH batts loses 1-5% of their charge daily?...that's a lot....

 

[TooManyGizmos]

But LSD (low self discharge)cells do not.Such as Enellop's.

Neither do Li-Ion cells.

.

 

[Linger]

Hopefully someone who 'knows' answers,

It seems like the discharge at a very low rate. Cells I've had for months that were supposed to have been shipped at 4.0v are still there.

Is voltage a direct measure of mAh remaining in the cell? I think it is an indication, but afaik measuring voltage is not directly measuring charge remaining.

Best,
Linger

I haven't had my multi-meter for very long (two weeks),
but thanx to your post i've started my own experiment (recorded voltage to 3decimal place values on tape on the cells).

 

[Illum]

For long term storage, I have read that the battery should be discharged to approximately 40% capacity [3.8V nominal] but have also read that heat is the primary concern for high discharge...so I'm guessing [state of charge] and [temperature] is the two primary concerns here:candle:

 

[SilverFox]

Hello String,

You may find this thread informative.

Tom

 

[baterija]

The good news is they have almost no stored charge loss mechanism like a NiMH. I don't have the link anymore but saw that in the spec sheet for one manufaturer's 18650. That was for unprotected cells and I have heard implications that the protection circuit may introduce some parasitic drain.

The bad news is that the cells suffer from permenant loss of capacity while aging. That is power capacity that can't be regained simply by popping it back on the charger.

From battery university

So are 25C (77F) you lose about 20% in a year if stored fully charged. That's more than the Eneloop loses in about the same time frame...and you can't simply recharge to get it back. Li-ion like to be used. You can cycle them repeatedly. They aren't very good for sitting in an unused light on the shelf at room temp though. If you want to keep them fully charged as a backup refrigeration makes a huge difference.

 

[strinq]

Thanks for the great link and experiment Tom.
Good to know they hold their charge well.
Cheers.