Rechargeable 123a for 2 flashlights in a van

[bestyman]

Hi all,

Thanks to this site and after reading many posts I have sent off to deal extreme for aultrafire c2 3w and a romisen rc t5 . Presently I have a Romisen that uses 2 x AA disposable alkaline batteries.

Both new torches run on cr123a and I would like to use rechargeable, I think 3.7v batteries are correct? Do I need protected or non protected? Could someone point me to which ones would work best on Deal extreme please? Ive read some battery posts but now more confused than before. Im worried I may blow the lamp if the batterys are too high a voltage after coming off the charger . Ideally I want batteries that work in both flashlights.

I wish to charge the batteries from the 12 volt car lighter . I cannot find a suitable charger on Deal extreme but have found one on ebay that should do but it does say that if the voltage of the batterys drops to below 2volts it will damage the charger and the batterys. How do I stop this happening? ( would protected batterys help)

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

Mark

 

[Fallingwater]

You need protected RCR123s. 3.7V are fine, they'll give you some more output.
You want these or these, they are almost certainly exactly the same cells with a different logo.
Note that their capacity is grossly overstated; expect about 500mah, maybe a bit more. Also note that DX is known for occasionally sending a dud cell. They'll replace it free of charge, but it'll take another month to get it. I suggest ordering two 2-packs, so if you get a dud cell you can use the others and if you don't you have spare cells.

You can run the lights on these too. LiFePO4 cells are are supposedly safer; I say supposedly not because I have reason to suspect LiFePO4 to be unsafe (quite the opposite), but because I've seen remarkably few threads about LiIon cells misbehaving in an unsafe way. I remain unconvinced that half the energy density and lower voltage is a good price to pay.
Do note that I seem to be in the minority here.

 

[Lighthouse one]

I can recommend these liFepo4 cells from battery space. Car charger included!
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3478
They will work well in any led light. Remember, they only have 1/3 the power of a primary. Do NOT use them in a 6 v incan light...it will blow!

I got a set of these and the Tenergy ones from Battery junction also- for friends at work. Both worked fine- shipping is a bit less from Battery space.

You need the special charger- don't just buy the batteries! You also won't wait a month for delivery!