Question from a battery noob...

[Delta]

I know questions like these probably grate on you, but what are my options for powerful rechargables? I keep a good stock of E2 Lithiums, and I have a few sets of 2500 Energizer rechargables, but I know you guys have stronger stuff.

What is the best in terms of AA and CR123 size, and where can I purchase them?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bridgman]

For rechargeables, a lot of people are going with either the Eneloops or the 2700 mAH Sanyos from Thomas. Titanium non-rechargeable CR123s seem pretty popular, and for rechargeable 123s most people seem to get them from AW (look for the AW's Li-Ion sales thread Part 2 under Dealers Corner).

If you are not familiar with the risks associated with lithium batteries -- particularly rechargeables -- read up on that before you stock up from AW. The LiFePO4 3.2v rechargeables are felt to be safer than the 3.7v Li-Ion rechargeables, and probably work in more lights, but they are a tiny bit wider and won't *fit* in some lights.

For clarity, nobody is claiming that lithium batteries are ticking time bombs or anything but if you abuse them then the penalties can be really high (house burn down, that kind of thing ) so make sure you know what you are doing.

 

[Groundhog66]

Kinda depends on the lights you will be putting them in as well (I think).

 

[Delta]

Kinda depends on the lights you will be putting them in as well (I think).

Mostly Fenix lights at this point, But I do still favor my Inova T2 and T3 (TIROS-Style).

 

[bridgman]

For "normal" (ie not high current hotwire) lights I would stay with your 2500s until they start to lose capacity then look around to see what is good at that time. I haven't used 2500s myself but from what I have seen here their biggest problem is that there might be a higher percentage of bad ones, and even that is not clear -- there may just be a lot of them in use so more people posting about problems.

Any rechargeable you can buy in Home Depot for a good price is going to have a lot of users

 

[Anders]

Delta: You can't use rechargeable 123s in your Inovas, you can use 17670 if you make your battery tube wider. I did it to my T3 with AW:s protected ones.

If you use your AA light more frequent than once a week i would go for powerex 2700, otherwise i prefer Eneloops or other LSD cells.


Anders

 

[Delta]

If you use your AA light more frequent than once a week i would go for powerex 2700, otherwise i prefer Eneloops or other LSD cells.

Anders

I use my L1D/L2D pretty much every single day. I switched off the 2500's to the more expensive E2 Lithiums because there was such an obvious difference in the output. Though, I have not tried the 2500's in the L2D tube yet (just got it yesterday).

Could you clarify the "eneloops" and "LSD cells". I'm assuming the LSD cells aren't there to make me hallucinate...

Is there a CPF preferred online source for these?

 

[Anders]

Delta:Maybe this thread would give you the best information.

LSD: Low Self Discharge

You won't see any difference if you use E2 in your L2D tube, just more expensive.

Anders

 

[Delta]

Thanks