is it ok to discharge batts until cut off

[daimleramg]

what i mean is i will be receiving AW's R123 protected LiIons, i read somewhere it is not good to run the batteries until it cuts off. can someone confirm this or tell me otherwise with some kind of plausible answer? i dont have a multimitre and dont know when batts will need charging so i would think i charge them when the light cuts off, or should i be doing something else?

please any help would be appreciated

 

[Wingsfan23]

You won't get as many cycles out of them if you do run until cut off.

 

[LuxLuthor]

Generally, Wingsfan is correct....but it depends on what the protection circuit discharge cutoff voltage is set for. If it breaks the circuit to save the battery at 3.5 to 3.6V, that's not a significant problem. When they get down under 3.3V that's where major damage is done to the life of the cells. 3.3V to 3.5V is the gray zone of some damage depending on which end of the scale.

 

[matrixshaman]

I'd get a multimeter - fairly good ones can be had for as little as around $5 - try eBay or Harbor Freight when they are on special at HF. Agree with what others are stating here. A meter will likely save you money in the long run. Here you go for $2.99 - it's a 7 function Multimeter: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90899

 

[DM51]

It is not a good idea to run the cell right down to its protection circuit's low-voltage cut-off. Mention has been made of one reason, which is that doing this can reduce the number of cycles you will get from the cell.

Another reason is that the protection circuit should not be regarded as a substitute for safe practice. You should look on it as a safety backstop, not as a guarantee that nothing can go wrong. These circuits are quite fragile and can easily be damaged, for example if a cell is dropped, or if it is squashed too tightly into a light. If it is damaged, you could effectively be left with an unprotected cell, and there may be no apparent indication that this has happened.

It would be a very good idea to get a multimeter so you can monitor your cells. If you buy a cheap one, test it against a known voltage or against a professional-grade meter to check it is reasonably accurate. A possible error of 0.1v does not sound a lot, but with Li-Ions it is a substantial difference.

 

[daimleramg]

thanks for all your input guys i guess i will have to buy a multimeter and keep checking... just wont know if they need rechargig while out cuz i wont be luggin that around with me

 

[yellow]

make these 3.5 to 3.6 Volts some 2.5 Volts but the rest is ok.

under 2.5 there is a real chance the cell is damaged
and its better not to deplete them too much, but also not good to store them completely charged (= have light run for 5-10 mins after charge)

another idea:
instead of that 2 pc. CR123 light, try a 17650 (if the light runs on it). Same power inside and You have only half the batts around.
Even better if the light can be modded to use an 18650. Has much more mAh and most often does not add size to the light