Primaries Vs. Rechargables

[nmiller]

Which do you think are better for lights not used often? I don't use my lights much other than playing around. I only change the batteries in a light that runs for an hour once a month or every 6 weeks. Are rechargables worth it? Will the be depleted when I need them? The cells I'm thinking of are 2xcr123a or 18650.

Nick

 

[ab1ht]

For lights I don't use often, I just take the batteries out (except for the ones in the car). Other than that, I try to use rechargeables since NiMH don't have memory issues.

Also, there are no rechargeable CR123s. There are, however, RCR123s. Just a reminder that the voltages on each are different and you have to check your flashlight specs carefully. But you probably knew that. Still worth repeating...

 

[Turn Key]

I had the same question. My g2 sits on my duty belt very rarely used, its got the same batteries it came with 2 years ago. I'd like to get some rcr123s for my g2l I just bought but all the threads on rechargeables damaging the led has me nervous. I'm just getting back into flashlights and am way behind on the new technology.

 

[yowzer]

I only have one light that uses CR123s, and it lives in my car, so primaries for it. It's not worth investing in rechargables for one light. If I ever into these lights, I'd go rechargeable for lights used with any frequency.


For AA and AAA lights, I go with lithium for lights that will be used rarely or in cold weather, and eneloops for almost everything else, though if I know ahead of time that I'll be using a particular light a lot (Such as on camping trips), I'll use freshly charged higher-capacity NiMHs.

 

[was.lost.but.now.found]

Welcome Turn Key!!:welcome:

 

[Elliot]

Tough Decision

Not knowing exactly what lghts you have, it sounds like your on the borderline. Some lights are much brighter with rechargables, some run longer with primaries etc. It depends on the light all else being equal.

Using and taking care of rechargable Lithium cells can be a pain as well as dangerous. It can also be fun, as this is also a hobby. But, serious flashaholics don't just stick then in the charger and go out shopping.

If your a normal type guy you will spend about $30 bucks for a charger and some cells (you'll need a volt meter @ $20). Your your "investment" could be from $50 to $60. For $60 you could get 50 top quality CR123a batteries delivered to your door via a CPF dealer.

good luck with your decision:twothumbs

Elliot

 

[Wattnot]

For lights not used often, I would go with primaries. Especially if they're in a car or otherwise exposed to temperature extremes.

Rechargeable lithium ions really shouldn't be stored at anything other than about 50% or so (some say even lower). So do you want a seldom used light with half dead batteries waiting for you when you need it?

In the NIMH world, we have Eneloop rechargables. If you can use those (AAA or AA sizes) for that form factor, do it. They're designed to be ready to go, fully charged (or darn close to it) over long periods of time.

Lithium rechargeables are best for frequently used lights. Even if you care for them and store them at the optimal voltages, levels, etc., they have a 2 or 3 year life span so the clock is ticking, using them or not (however, I hear the newer ones live longer).

 

[TooManyGizmos]

For Primary Lithium 3v battery users .......

With Lights that require 2 or more batteries in series .....

You should check the level of the batteries in your light with a volt meter or Lithium meter MONTHLY .....

To make sure they are very close to each other in voltage while in storage in the light .

( Some could become drained and become mis-matched in voltage while in storage.)

This testing is to prevent one of the batteries from totally draining to 0.00v while in use and then being reverse-charged by the other batteries - which could be very bad .

This hazard is fully explained in some of the STICKIES at the top of this forum . It prevents the "Venting with Flame" and "Light Explosion" stories you may have heard of ( I hope) .

This Safety topic has not been mentioned much lately , So I thought I'd mention this as a reminder.

It was a very big topic 2 to 3 years ago and should be repeated for the newbies to be aware !

. TMG's - prevent campaign .

 

[tsmith35]

I know 3 people that carry SF lights using two CR123 primaries each. None of them knew about the dangers of mixing old/new batteries. As dangerous as this practice is, I would have thought SF would do a better job warning users.

I prefer to use protected AW rechargeable cells in my compatible flashlights. Exceptions are single CR2 and single CR123 lights as desired.

 

[h2xblive]

I use lithium primaries for emergency lights and my ARC-P.

I used rechargeables (eneloops) in my commonly used lights: headlamp and LED modified AA Mag.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Primaries for the woods or any serious activity, and rechargeables for recreational use and around the house.

 

[rumack]

If you are considering primaries vs rechargeables in AA/AAA applications, I highly recommend either Eneloop/Duraloop NiMH rechargeables or lithium primaries, and only use alkalines as a last resort. I have had too many leaks with alkalines to use them if there is another option. As others have said, the Eneloop rechargeables work well for often used or rarely used devices, and lithium primaries work well in cold weather situations.

But, it sounds like you are talking about lithium primaries vs lithium ion rechargeables. I haven't ventured into lithium ion rechargeables yet so I won't attempt to make any recommendatons there.

Thanks TooManyGizmos. I didn't realize that lithium primaries sitting in the same flashlight could become mis-matched. Can anyone recommend a decent budget digital meter? I really want a Fluke but that will have to wait until I find another job.

 

[sed6]

For Primary Lithium 3v battery users .......

With Lights that require 2 or more batteries in series .....

You should check the level of the batteries in your light with a volt meter or Lithium meter MONTHLY .....

To make sure they are very close to each other in voltage while in storage in the light .

( Some could become drained and become mis-matched in voltage while in storage.)

This testing is to prevent one of the batteries from totally draining to 0.00v while in use and then being reverse-charged by the other batteries - which could be very bad ...

Not saying you're wrong, and not saying your suggestion would hurt, but I don't think it's necessary. Every instance I've read about two cells working together to explode a flashlight involve two imbalanced cells, i.e. very different voltages.

Could you point me toward an example or two where two fresh outta the box, same voltage cells, suddenly became imbalanced and From a physics/electronics standpoint I can't grasp it.

A huge benefit of primaries is their long term storage benefit. This benefit is severely diminished, even negated if you're limited to one cell or required to check on your lights every month.

I'm going to add that I don't like RCR123's for lightly used lights. I carried a P1D and now a custom light which both take a single 123. Using rechargables in them, I'd always find them dead or dying when I needed them the most and that was with very little use since their last charge. Primaries all the way for my infrequently used, but carried daily lights. :twothumbs

 

[NutSAK]

Primaries for the woods or any serious activity, and rechargeables for recreational use and around the house.

I prefer runtime for serious activity, and I have few lights that have better runtime with primaries. So, for me, 18650 for serious activity with primary backup cells. YMMV

 

[KiwiMark]

Which do you think are better for lights not used often? I don't use my lights much other than playing around. I only change the batteries in a light that runs for an hour once a month or every 6 weeks. Are rechargables worth it?

I always use rechargeables in this sort of situation because I can recharge as often as I like and I can play with the light as much as I want to without pouring money down the drain. I have a Surefire A2 Aviator that is designed to only run from primaries - but it works fine from 2 x 16340 LiFePO4 cells and I have bought 2 pairs of those cells to let me use the light as I feel like.

Why pay $100 for a light and then be reluctant to use it because it will cost you money every time you drain some batteries? I want to alway be free to play with any of my lights/take them camping/use them as I want to. Before a camping trip it doesn't take much to recharge the cells on any light I choose to take with me as well as any spare I also take - then I start the camping trip with fully charged lights.

 

[mdocod]

KiwiMark makes a great point about how you "feel" about using the light when using primaries vs rechargeable cells. I find, that when I am using something with primary cells, I'm always trying to minimize usage, where, with rechargeable cells, I'm trying to use it as much as possible to get the most use out of the cells as possible and keep them in a healthy cycling routine.

For now, I think you should stick to quality USA made CR123s and see how this hobby progresses. If you find yourself increasing in interest and firing up more lights more often, you should at that time start researching your rechargeable options. If you are in the market for flashlights, try to keep your long term prospects open and buy flashlights that are going to have good rechargeable options. 18650 compatibility is preferred in lithium powered options.

-Eric

 

[shark_za]

I had the same question. My g2 sits on my duty belt very rarely used, its got the same batteries it came with 2 years ago. I'd like to get some rcr123s for my g2l I just bought but all the threads on rechargeables damaging the led has me nervous. I'm just getting back into flashlights and am way behind on the new technology.

If you have a Surefire G2L with the stock P60L LED module in it then you will be fine with RCR123's,
The LED is rated up to 9V and x2 recharge Li-Ion max at 8.4v.

 

[Benson]

For lights not used often, I would go with primaries. Especially if they're in a car or otherwise exposed to temperature extremes.

Rechargeable lithium ions really shouldn't be stored at anything other than about 50% or so (some say even lower). So do you want a seldom used light with half dead batteries waiting for you when you need it?

But the batteries will only be half dead after a year or more sitting at full charge (assuming moderate temperatures). So just throw them away once a year and replace.

Whereas primaries can also mean half-dead batteries, because you didn't want to throw them away after only 5 minutes of use. Then another 5 minutes. And so on. With rechargeables, you can always throw them on the charger after any use... (I guess this is mitigated if you have a 1xCR123 EDC that does see usage, to burn off slightly-used cells in.)

It's really something of a tossup, as I see it; my tendency is to say rechargeables, but I'm probably biased there, because I have invested in Li-ion cells and infrastructure, but not in CR123 primaries. Of course what I use is the best solution for everybody.

 

[nmiller]

Wow, I forgot I posted here. I've been into lights for a while just relatively new to Lith-ion rechargables. I'm just concerned that one day when I actually need the light it will be drained and need charging. The light in question will be a Barbolight T4. Right now I'm testing to see how long a cr123a lasts in the compact 1xcr123 T4 and I'm going on 5 weeks right now. It only runs an hour and currently I see no reduction in output. I'm dong the same with the special edition T9 and it has been going strong for a couple of weeks. I use both lights freely and my wife thinks my use is excessive. I question the need for rechargables when I'd be going through 3 cells a month. I also feel that the primaries are just more reliable.

 

[nmiller]

My only longterm use is with my zebralights on camping trips and even then I'm hard pressed to use one cell per trip.