RCR123 for PT Apex Pro

[outerspacehoppp]

Can anyone recommend a supplier for Rechargeable CR123 batteries and charger for my new PT Apex Pro?

I am slightly worried that if I just buy some from ebay\ledshoppe they may not fit in the Apex battery holder since the regular cells supplied with the lamp are quite a tight fit.

Also which rechargeables do I want, 3V or 3.7V? which voltage will work best with the lamp? is there any capacity difference between the two voltages? will the 3.7V run the lamp in regulation mode for longer? will the Apex work OK at the higher voltage of the 3.7's? which voltage will run the lamp for longer?

I really want a charger that will plug into the car as well as mains electric.

I've just received the Apex Pro lamp and so far I am pretty pleased with it, tis a great improvement on my Petzl myo 3, which had become unreliable due to a crack in the wire at the lamp end.

Any advice about the RCR123 cell and charer suppliers greatfully received.
I'm in the UK if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance

Outerspacehoppa.

 

[eebowler]

You'll have to register with the CPF marketplace to purchase

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=170420

AW cells are the best that are available. All other cells are compared to his. The 3V cells are a different, safer chemistry. They have lower capacities (shoarter runtimes) than the standard 3.7V cells.

 

[outerspacehoppp]

Great! Thanks for the link, I'd been searching the Candlepwerforums for the must quoted AW batteries.
But does anyone have any experience of these specifically in the PT Apex Pro?

Will they fit in the Apex Pro?
Will the higher voltage be OK for the lamp?
Will the extra voltage of the 3.7V cells be benificial, i.e. extra burn time\extra regulated run time\brigher light, or does the extra voltage just get wasted as work done in the regulator?

 

[NoFair]

Great! Thanks for the link, I'd been searching the Candlepwerforums for the must quoted AW batteries.
But does anyone have any experience of these specifically in the PT Apex Pro?

Will they fit in the Apex Pro?
Will the higher voltage be OK for the lamp?
Will the extra voltage of the 3.7V cells be benificial, i.e. extra burn time\extra regulated run time\brigher light, or does the extra voltage just get wasted as work done in the regulator?

They will probably fit; I've tried a few types and they all fit in mine.
Princeton tec said it was ok with the higher voltage
The higher voltage doesn't get wasted; you will get longer runtimes than the 3.0V rechargeables offer. The runtime is shorter than on normal cr123s though.

Sverre

 

[mountainpenguin]

testing with AW's safe rcr123. Ran in main high for 45 mins
another five with the main low now
low on 5mm leds lasted for another 10 minutes before flashing red.
hope this helps. I will update for more 'normal' usage after the next time i am go out. I think it should be just enough power for most of my trips.

 

[Hog]

I use AW protected rcr 123 in mine exclusively.
I purchased them from lighthound.
Had no problems in 1.5 years with lots of use.
Hog

 

[cave dave]

Will they fit in the Apex Pro?
Will the higher voltage be OK for the lamp?
Will the extra voltage of the 3.7V cells be benificial, i.e. extra burn time\extra regulated run time\brigher light, or does the extra voltage just get wasted as work done in the regulator?

1) AW's will fit
2) 3.7 v cells is fine and will give longer runtime but they will quit with no warning whatsoever. Its best to charge early and often, its not good practice to let the protected circuit kick in to let you know you are overdischarging.

3.0v cells will last less time, are safer, since they are not protected it is very easy for the Apex to overdrain them and possibly cause cell damage.