Quality cheap RCR123 charger and batteries, recommendations

abarth_1200

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Messages
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Location
Scotland
those two words dont usually appear in the same sentence lol

i currently own a fenixP3D and i have a zebra H30 on its way also a romisen RC-N3 which also uses 123a size batteries.

So i am in need of a decent charger and batteries, i dont know a lot about current and voltage but can i tell you what i need.

I have <£30 available
Probably need at least 4 batteries
quick ish charger, about 2-3 hours, i do know that charging your batteries too fast will shorten their life.
And the charger needs to plug into my car 12V socket
Also im in the UK so would need a UK 3 pin plug

If anyone can help or put a link up to a similair post that't be great:grin2:
 
Don't know about the car charger, but in general, for all your li-ion needs you can't go wrong with AW: http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=177100

The WF-139 will charge RCR123As (with spacers). I also bought a nano charger from AW a few years ago that does a good job on RCR123As (only). If you don't see what you need in his sales thread, PM him. AW is famous for his top notch C/S and responsiveness. He'll fix you up.

Update: I hadn't even noticed the optional car charger for the WF-139. Hey Hey It's Hendo is right on. :thumbsup:
 
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i actually stumbled across this last night but then i saw the 2 pin US socket on the end of it and i'd rather not carry around two little spacers, what if i lost one while camping.

Thanks for the suggestion tho:grin2:
 
these are cheap as chips .....
..........
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Figure-8-...ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
fig8connectorhn1.jpg


i dont know of another charger with 12v input ...
 
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having another thought would i be better off just getting a bulk buy of primaries for the same price as buying the charger and carrying it around with me, what besides the fact that eventually the rechargeables will pay for themselves, are the advantages over a primary battery:ohgeez:

What do you think about these

http://www.all-battery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=212

This would prob last me a few months, does anyone rate these cells any good
 
Are you going to be travelling by air much, especially to the US? If so, then you might have some problems with a bunch of spare lithiums in your bags. I don't know if the UK or other EU countries have or might enact similar restrictions, but it may be something to keep in mind.

KuoH

having another thought would i be better off just getting a bulk buy of primaries for the same price as buying the charger and carrying it around with me...
 
when it comes to RCR123s vs primaries it's a tough call sometimes because the capacity of RCR123s stinks, (~300-600mAH true capacity depending on the brand and type and chemistry). That compared to ~1200-1500mAH common to CR123 primaries, and you are guaranteed to take a hit on runtime in most lights.

You have a very common situation where you have a bunch of difference CR123 lights, luckily, I think all 3 of those will work on 3.7V protected rechargeable cells just fine (from what I have read) 90% of the time a thread like this has no simple answer as someone has a collection of lights, and each light has a best rechargeable option that is different from the others...

I think the WF-139 is the best compromise between quality and price. It's not perfect, as it will overcharge li-ion cells if they are left on the charger too long (after the light turns green), but it's not bad either. The Pila IBC is nicer, terminates properly, but costs $35+ or so, and charges a little on the fast side for RCR123 size cells.

In the future your flashlight purchase decisions should be based, in advance, whenever possible, on whether you intend to make it a rechargeable light, and whether you will be able to use the investment of the WF-139 towards that end. What this means is that you *should* buy flashlights that use an 18650 size 3.7V li-ion cell. An 18650 is the length of a pair of CR123s, slightly thicker, and has over 2AH capacity, so in total watt-hours of stored energy, it's very similar to a pair of CR123s, but rechargeable.

As for the cells themselves, I tend to suggest AW or BatteryStation 3.7V protected RCR123s, but I have seen respectable performance from some white label trustfire cells as well around here on the forums.

If you were going to buy a big box of CR123 primary cells, you would not be well served with safety or performance with a big box of off brand cells like Tenergy, Powerizer, etc...

I'd feel more comfortable pointing you in the direction of:

Panisonic
http://www.batteryjunction.com/1pcencr3voph.html

or: Duracell, a STEEL at this price really, as these are top performers.
http://www.batteryjunction.com/duraacell-cr123a.html

or: Energizer, not sure how they stack up, but are safe.
http://www.batteryjunction.com/energizer-cr123a.html

or: Sanyo
http://www.batteryjunction.com/sacr3vophli.html

or: Rayovac
http://www.batteryjunction.com/rayrl123a.html

or: BatteryStation brand cells, NOW made in USA should be good, they also carry SureFire cells here at good prices:
http://www.batterystation.com/cr123a.htm

OR: if cheaper was an absolute neccessity, I would suggest the titanium brand as probably the best of the budget CR123s, but from what I have seen, these compare most favorable with name brands when compared at higher drain rates. For LED lights, spending an extra $0.25 per cell might be worth it where maximum mAH at "normal" drain rates is a factor.
http://www.batteryjunction.com/tpen-tcr123a-.html
 
abarth_1200, does not matter if the plug is a US two pin, as long as

it ok with 240 volts.

You have two options 1. go to Maplins and get a figure eight power cable

or 2. cut the two pin plug off and install a normal three pin UK plug on.

I would go for AW rechargables .... hes got a good reputation here
 
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KuoH- mostly round the UK camping for a week or two at a time so 10 to 20 primary cells would prob do me

mdocod- i did have a look at this website too but theri postage price to UK is pretty high

I have found a source of panasonics here in the UK going pretty cheap here

I think as my collection gets bigger ill invest in a few good chargers, one for 123 size one for 18650 size and another for 14500 when i get my L2D's:thumbsup:
 

These are cheap but unprotected. Really bad idea for 2-cell light.

As for the cells themselves, I tend to suggest AW or BatteryStation 3.7V protected RCR123s, but I have seen respectable performance from some white label trustfire cells as well around here on the forums.

I agree with AW RCR123, white trustfires are also not bad, but they are too long for P3D and they will not fit.
 
...
10 to 20 primary cells would prob do me
...
I think as my collection gets bigger ill invest in a few good chargers, one for 123 size one for 18650 size and another for 14500 when i get my L2D's:thumbsup:

Hey Abarth,
with primaries, you will just "burn" away your money. For you next trip, you will have to buy new primaries (and even pay shipping once again).

For 30 GBP I'd really suggest you get the WF-139 charger and a bunch of rechargeables from a source of reputation. Then, for your next trip, you can invest the money saved into something which lasts (or for some romantic gift for your partner ;) ) ! . :)

Mind that the WF-139 can charge 123, 18650 and 14500. Charging will take about 2 hrs for 123 and about 4 hrs for the 18650.
And if you get the 12V Car cord you should be able to recharge almost everywhere.

And btw: I fully agree with mdocod: get good quality batteries - they will very probably have a larger capacity and have a longer life.
 
ok now im wanting to get rechargeables again, im gonna get one when my little supply runs dry

Thanks for all the advice:thumbsup:, does AW ship to Scotland and do you know how much?
 
If they don't ship to Scotland, I believe you can get them from Fenix-Store who will ship world wide IIRC.

Dave.
 
I had a DSD charger replaced THREE times by DX and they were all faulty. I now use a nano charger from fenix store. I did a custom job with a soldering iron, self amalgamating tape and some cable so I could fit a UK plug.

I use the AW cells and they are great.
 
I think the WF-139 is the best compromise between quality and price. It's not perfect, as it will overcharge li-ion cells if they are left on the charger too long (after the light turns green), but it's not bad either.

Just a quick question I ordered a WF-139 and some KD's protected, will this charger still overcharge the protected or the battery will cut off first?

I've read people with this charger going up to 4.3v after the light went green which is highly dangerous.
 
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