RCR123 Question

[thedukeoftank]

I just purchased a 4pack of Blue Ultrafire RCR123 880mAh batteries and while using one of them in my Nitecore Infinity Extreme, I noticed the light's high mode drop considerably. I figured that the battery needed recharging so I popped the light open and noticed a odd smell from the battery (I'm quite stuffed up this week from a cold so the smell must have been more than I experienced initially). I then checked the battery on my Fluke DMM and it read 2.4v and rising every few seconds. Now, I am not sure if these are protected or unprotected but the seller was advertising these as protected cells. As of right now, the battery is sitting outside in metal container (just in case) until I know it's safe. From what I have been reading so far, this sounds like a standard case of the protection circuit kicking in but one can never be too careful.

Pardon my ignorance.

 

[jasonck08]

If the cell smells strange it may have vented or might be leaking or something, who knows. Also if it read 2.4v, then it sounds like there is no protection circuit, as the lowest cutoff I've measured from a protection circuit is around 2.2v, and the cells voltage would rebound to at least 2.8v or so in most cases if it was discharged that low.

Either way, I would say you have a set of questionable cells and its not worth risking your safety or damaging your light by continuing to use them.

 

[germanium]

it is not uncommon for rcr 123's to smell somewhat upon opening the flash light. I had that with all the LiCo type rcr123 batteries & they still performed the same after many recharges so I wouldn't be overly concerned. They may have relieve some pressure due to the excess heat buildup inside the flashlight which is common but is not the vent with flame type scenerio that is to be feared.

If you fear using lithium ion batteries due to the venting issues that some do have I would try K2 Energy's LFP123 batteries. These batteries outlasted all the LiCo rcr123 batteries I tested & are safe. They do not require any electronic type protections & do not require regulation to protect devices that normally run on 3 volt lithium primaries as thier voltage starts out at only 3.6 volts hot off the charger dropping to 3.3 volts quite rapidly once removed from charger as opposed to 4.2 volts of an unregulated rcr123 battery. Even though the capacity of LiFePo4 batteries is less than LiCo batteries by chemistry not having to be regulated results in more usable capacity than all the LiCo type batteries I tested.

 

[andrewnewman]

The blue Ultrafires that often come in 4-packs (and are often labeled either 880mAh or 1000mAh) are unprotected cells. Buying Ultrafire cells is a bit of a crap shoot as they repackage LiCo cells from various Chinese manufacturers. That said I have had moderately good luck with these. For the record, they average around 550mAh when new (and freshly charged).

I won't go in to all the details of safe use of LiCo cells (there are dozens of excellent threads on that topic) but I will *strongly* recommend that you only use protected cells in flashlight lack internal protection circuitry. I believe your Nitecore lacks this circuitry. Without it, you will have to be extremely vigilant not to over-discharge the cell. 2.4V is too low to draw the cell. Unless it rebounded to around 2.8-3.0V after 15 minutes or so, I would be hesitant to attempt to recharge it. It is at least damaged if not dead.

A cell with protection circuit would have shut the light down completely to protect the cell.

 

[thedukeoftank]

The cell did rebound to 2.8+ after a little bit but I am still hesitant about using that cell again. I might try those Lfp123 cells you were talking about. Where is a good place to purchase them? Also, do they have 18650, 10440 & 14500 sizes?

 

[old4570]

Nitecore runs ? Primary + RCR123A

If so , be careful as it will drain the cell as low as you let it ...
Might pay to work out a charging schedule that keeps the cell above 3.5v ...
Im going to charge the cell in my Nitecore EX10 weekly ...

 

[campingnut]

I would recommend AW protected cells. They carry 10440, 14500, 18650, RCR123 and many other size cells. The 10440 are unprotected, therfore I do not use them, but I do know many other people do. I choose not to use any unprotected cells as I feel the benefit does not outweigh the :poof:

Both AW and Nite sell them in CPFM. Good luck in your cell search!