Quick question on 18650's

[Uncle Alvah]

When I buy a couple 18650's to replace my CR123's, do they come charged and ready to use, or do they need to be charged beforehand?

 

[TEEJ]

When I buy a couple 18650's to replace my CR123's, do they come charged and ready to use, or do they need to be charged beforehand?

They will come partially charged, as a partial charge state prolongs storage life.

You will want to charge them before using them.

 

[RI Chevy]

They usually come shipped to you at or around 3.6v to 3.63v's for each cell. Then you charge them to about 4.2v's.