Paul_in_Maryland said:
Are you sure? According to
this thread, if the cell is IC-regulated, it could come off the charger above 4V but instantly drop to 3V plus change when a load is applied.
Hi folks, thought I would pipe in here.
I can only speak for my IC cells. My IC's do come off the charger at nearly 4 volts when measured with a high impedence ohm meter when there is no current flow. The moment the battery is loaded, the IC does regulate the output of my cells to a max of 3.2 volts. You can see this in the data I plotted in the other post which Paul mentions above. In addition to this, I have the manufacturers data sheet to show the specification which they are built clearly stating a loaded output max of 3.2 volts and nominal of 3.0.
I really don't know what other manufacturers are doing, I have personally tested others rechargeable CR123 cells that stated "3.0 volts, safe for flashlights" that were ~4 volts like any standard Li-ion cell. You can test your cell with a light bulb, a set of electronics jumpers with aligator clips on each end and your volt meter. Measure the cell with no load, then rig the light bulb up to your meter probes of your voltmeter, when you measure again the light bulb is now in circuit (glowing) and you will see the applied loaded voltage to your bulb. My point, The voltage of a cell when freshly removed from a charger and measured with a high impedence volt meter could greatly differ from the voltage you device will see.
Several CPF members are now using my IC cells now and I am getting positive feedback regarding their performance.
If you have any questions about how these cell work or how to test yours, let me know.
-Markcm