Partially drained CR123a question

[haertig]

Do CR123A primary cells suffer from the problem of some other battery types, where "partially drained" might cause leakage over time?

 

[45/70]

As far as I know, and in my own experience, CR123 primaries are the least likely cells to leak, regardless of their state of charge. The one possible exception would be the 1.7 Volt AA and AAA lithium primaries, as they have yet another form of lithium chemistry. They may be even better, I'm not sure, as I have never had either chemistry leak.

The one thing, as you probably already know, is that you don't want to mix partially discharged lithium primary cells that have been used in single cell applications, together in a series application. I'm not to sure about leaking in such a situation, but this can be dangerous, as far as "venting with flame", which I would consider extreme leakage! :poof:

Dave

 

[haertig]

Thanks for the reply.

I guess my question could be better stated. I'm looking at a two CR123A powered LED light for use as a weapons light on a rifle. The light would rarely be used (hopefully never!) So, should I put in the batteries, untested, and trust their stated shelf life (so as not to "partially discharge"). Or do I test every month or so for just a few seconds per test, and then replace no matter what after, say, 5 years?

Also, does "shelf life" only refer to "totally unused"? If the cells are tested for a few seconds every month, does that by itself kill their long shelf life? Since they're no longer "on the shelf", technically they're "in use" - just "very little and very infrequent use"?

What I want most is reliability over a long period. I don't want to reduce that reliability by doing testing that might actual reduce the reliability over time by partially discharging. I plan to buy top-tier US made batteries, always as a pair (same package), and always install/replace as a pair.

 

[45/70]

...... I plan to buy top-tier US made batteries, always as a pair (same package), and always install/replace as a pair.

This will help a lot, and if you follow everything else you stated, you should be fine.

As far as testing, I would test the cells out of the package, you never know. Then, I would test them once per year if, and only if, you actually don't use them..... at all. The exception would be if your light has a parasitic drain (eg. has an electronic driver). This might require testing more often, depending on the amount of the drain. Usually this is minimal in most lights but.....

On a side note, remember, us "crooks" always aim toward the light, slightly lower and a bit to the right. If you're left handed, you stand a better chance! :)

Dave

 

[zven]

Also, does "shelf life" only refer to "totally unused"? If the cells are tested for a few seconds every month, does that by itself kill their long shelf life? Since they're no longer "on the shelf", technically they're "in use" - just "very little and very infrequent use"?

I've read a couple of anecdotal references to self-discharge of lithium primaries increasing as soon as they've been used ("taken off the shelf", as it were), but I've also seen evidence that the self-discharge rate is unaffected by partial depletion. I don't have the link on hand, but the data showing no effect of partial depletion on rate of self-discharge are in a CR123 shoot-out thread by selfbuilt (very good thread, BTW).

From what I've been able to gather on these forums, I don't think it's conclusive whether brief use of a lithium cell kills the rest of its shelf life. I'm slightly more swayed by selfbuilt's measured data on the subject, but I do think further testing needs to be done.

In any case, I personally think CR123's will serve you very well for long-term reliability, and I suspect that periodic testing will do you more good than harm.