Rechargeable 123A Batteries

[ccf]

I'm basically a newbie to this stuff. Could anybody recommend a good rechargeable setup? I have a Fenix PD30 & I'm thinking of going to rechargeables.

Also, assuming I can buy regular batteries for $1.00 - $1.50 each, does a rechargeable setup actually save money?

Any & all comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

[John_Galt]

First off, most Fenix lights don't tend to work well with Li-ion's. They either don't hold regulation, or run too hot (in direct drive, because of the increased voltages). This was a big complaint fixed in the Quark line-up.

Secondly, a rechargeable battery system is a good investment. IT is initially expensive, but will save you money in the long run, especially if Li batteries are expensive locally.

If you're going into Li-ion, you need to do a lot of reading on the subject... You need to buy a good smart charger, quality cells (ie: AW, not DealExtreme crap), a Digital Multi-Meter (oft referred to as a DMM).

You need to understand the benefits and drawbacks to such a system. Li-ion, when taken care of and used properly are fairly safe, but when damaged by over-discharged, or heated too much, or over charged, can be your worst nightmare. This isn't meant to scare you, it's meant to inform you. Please do some research before investing in such a system.

 

[ccf]

First off, most Fenix lights don't tend to work well with Li-ion's. They either don't hold regulation, or run too hot (in direct drive, because of the increased voltages). This was a big complaint fixed in the Quark line-up.

Secondly, a rechargeable battery system is a good investment. IT is initially expensive, but will save you money in the long run, especially if Li batteries are expensive locally.

If you're going into Li-ion, you need to do a lot of reading on the subject... You need to buy a good smart charger, quality cells (ie: AW, not DealExtreme crap), a Digital Multi-Meter (oft referred to as a DMM).

You need to understand the benefits and drawbacks to such a system. Li-ion, when taken care of and used properly are fairly safe, but when damaged by over-discharged, or heated too much, or over charged, can be your worst nightmare. This isn't meant to scare you, it's meant to inform you. Please do some research before investing in such a system.

Are you saying I shouldn't get Lithiums for my Fenix? I was just getting ready to push the button to order a dozen Titanium Innovations CR123A 3V Lithium Photo batteries. If not, what should I get for my Fenix (as far as non-chargeables)?

Btw, I bought some Energizer Photo batteries of some sort when it was new (which are now dying), but I did notice it running pretty hot.

 

[ccf]

Nevermind, LOL. I just realized Lithium-IONS are the rechargeable batteries. I'm assuming regular Lithiums are ok for my Fenix. I'll go ahead & order the TI batteries unless someone posts differently.

I do appreciate knowing that IONS don't work well in Fenix lights, though.

Thanks.

 

[Freyr]

Regular Lithium batteries are Lithium Ion batteries.

 

[DM51]

Lithium-IONS are the rechargeable batteries.

^ Correct ^

I'm assuming regular Lithiums are ok for my Fenix.

^ Correct ^

Regular Lithium batteries are Lithium Ion batteries.

^ Incorrect ^

 

[unclevit]

I'm basically a newbie to this stuff. Could anybody recommend a good rechargeable setup? I have a Fenix PD30 & I'm thinking of going to rechargeables.

Also, assuming I can buy regular batteries for $1.00 - $1.50 each, does a rechargeable setup actually save money?

Any & all comments would be greatly appreciated.

Anybody ever tried using 3.0v Rechargeable CR123a batteries in Inova T2-MP, or T3-MP, or SureFire G3 before (light spec tells that they only accept 3.0v CR123a Disposable Lithium batteries) ? In theory, it should be OK, but perhaps someone has taken the risk before me Appreciate any experience sharing. Tks.

 

[jirik_cz]

Just get AW RCR123 750mAh li-ions and charger from AW. You can buy them on the marketplace.

First off, most Fenix lights don't tend to work well with Li-ion's. They either don't hold regulation, or run too hot (in direct drive, because of the increased voltages). This was a big complaint fixed in the Quark line-up.

All 2xCR123 Fenix lights can use 2xRCR123 li-ion batteries without any problems. Only problematic models were 1xCR123 flashlights (P1D, P2D...)

 

[ccf]

Just get AW RCR123 750mAh li-ions and charger from AW. You can buy them on the marketplace.



All 2xCR123 Fenix lights can use 2xRCR123 li-ion batteries without any problems. Only problematic models were 1xCR123 flashlights (P1D, P2D...)

I'm kinda confused now. Can I use IONS in my Fenix PD30? It's the R4 version (Cree XP-G LED). It uses two 3V CR123A batteries.

 

[DM51]

It's actually quite important to get the terminology correct.

Lithium cells are 3.0V primary (non-rechargeable) cells.
Lithium-Ion cells are 3.7V rechargeable cells.

That is the bare minimum you need to understand about cells that contain Lithium metal. Lithium-Ion cells are further subdivided into variant chemistries, but you probably don't need to concern yourself with that until you have gained further experience.

 

[jirik_cz]

I'm kinda confused now. Can I use IONS in my Fenix PD30? It's the R4 version (Cree XP-G LED). It uses two 3V CR123A batteries.

Yes, you can use 3,7V rechargeable li-ion cells.

 

[mdocod]

Did a quick search...

hmm...

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=241236

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=216813

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=267976

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=229438

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=261411

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=245070

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=282465

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=256516

....

There are many more...

I'd guess that the question "what rechargeable cells for my Fenix XXX?" is probably the most asked question on CPF. Seems like an echo going back to when I joined CPF, lol...

-----

Hi John Galt, $

I was doing a little research there do dig up some evidence of this having been discussed just a *few* times before and noticed that you had participated in many of them. Unfortunately however, while good intentioned, an incorrect message was repeated many times.

Some Fenix Lights do not tolerate li-ion cells well, and that's pretty much limited to the 1 cell lights that can not handle input voltages above the Vf of the LED properly.

All of the 2xCR123 models that Fenix has ever made (that I can think of or am aware of) should work fine on a pair of 3.7V cells. It's not uncommon for buck circuits like this to actually be compatible with input voltages from 10-30V.

Eric

 

[ccf]

thanx, again guys...appreciate the info

 

[prof student]

It's actually quite important to get the terminology correct.

Lithium cells are 3.0V primary (non-rechargeable) cells.
Lithium-Ion cells are 3.7V rechargeable cells.

So, are ALL rechargeable cells 3.7V?

 

[mdocod]

Hello prof student,

No, not all rechargeable cells are 3.7V.

There are lithium iron phosphate rechargeable cells (LiFePO4, this is also a li-ion cell) that are usually rated at a nominal 3.2V. There are also Lithium Cobalt Oxide cells (that's the most common li-ion chemistry in cylindrical cells) that are 3.7V "internally" but have a bucked voltage output that reduces their average output to something closer to 3.0V to simulate behavior that would be "closer" to that of a primary 3V cell.

Eric

 

[prof student]

Hello prof student,

No, not all rechargeable cells are 3.7V.

There are lithium iron phosphate rechargeable cells (LiFePO4, this is also a li-ion cell) that are usually rated at a nominal 3.2V. There are also Lithium Cobalt Oxide cells (that's the most common li-ion chemistry in cylindrical cells) that are 3.7V "internally" but have a bucked voltage output that reduces their average output to something closer to 3.0V to simulate behavior that would be "closer" to that of a primary 3V cell.

Eric

Thanks Eric.

So, if I want to keep my incandescent in a SF 6P or a SL TL-2, which both take primaries 123, which batteries would you recomend to go with in that case, seeing how as far as I know, if you go over 6V, they go

I don't have the SL bored out, but am thinking about putting my bored 6P together to use.

Thanks,
Enrique

 

[mdocod]

Hello Enrique,

Start by clicking here.

The quick answer is this:

For 2 cell incans, Move up to a "3 cell" bulb and run 2xIMR16340s.

Eric