Rechargeable CR123A

[webley445]

batterystation.com has a charger and rechargeable package for sale. Of course only one battery comes with the charger and additional ones are sold in packs of 1. Charger with 1 batt is $20 and batts are $10 ea.

Anyone seen these before or know anything of them.

 

[powernoodle]

You have a link? Thx. You mean batteries.com?

 

[webley445]

Silly me, I meant batterystation.com
on the left of the page click on CR123

I edited original post also

 

[nerdgineer]

Goldengadgets is selling a charger with 2 CR123A batteries for $13 ( here ) plus I think about $7 shipping.

 

[STEVENT6]

Webley 445,

Are these protected cell batteries?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[DavidR]

NO, these are unprotected. JS Burlys is the only store to sell protected cells at this point.

 

[oldtimer]

And that s2k guy.

 

[STEVENT6]

DavidR,

Thanks David, I didn't think they were because they looked familiar from other threads. Just making good use of "If you don't know ask" and "Buyer Beware". That being the case I don't want to bother with them. Will eventually place an order with JS.

 

[powernoodle]

I wish that a name-brand manufacturer (Sanyo, Energizer, whoever) with UL-listing or some kind of quality assurance would make these things so it wasn't so much of a guessing game.

best regards

 

[KevinL]

I wish that the damned things would be 3.0V and have at least 1000mAH capacity so we could swap 'em for regular CR123s one-for-one. Brand name manufacturer is a plus, safety certification is critical.

 

[turbodog]

Web site says

******
Rechargeable CR123A

Rechargeable Li-Ion CR123A battery with smart charger (includes one battery) with circuit protect board
BC-RCR-123A..........................$19.95

Extra RCR-123A batteries............$9.95

These are NOT compatable with other chargers or non-rechargeable CR123A batteries. 400mAh
*******

Looks like the "circuit protect board" means protected cells.

 

[Jackyl]

Hey guys, I'm new to all of this, but I picked up a SureFire 6P yesterday and LOVE IT!!! I'm very interested in getting some rechargeable CR123A's and a charger. What is the difference between protected and unprotected cell batteries? Being lithium batteries, wouldn't they take a good charge with no memory issues and last for years and 1000's of charges or am I totally wrong?

If this is not a viable option at this time, where can I buy bulk CR123A's? I was leaning toward SureFire's 12 pack for $15 + shipping direct from SureFire. Any suggestions? Thanks!!!

 

[KevinL]

Note that these particular R123s are the 3.0V kind, but they don't seem to be able to power the 6P.

There is another kind of R123s that run at 4.2V, from www.jsburlys.com . However, they will dump 4.2V EACH (total 8.4V) to the lamp when they are fresh off the charger. The 6P uses the P60 6V lamp, and 2 x R123s (R123 = rechargeable, as opposed to CR123A) will leave you looking for a new lamp Real Soon Now.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Some of my notes can be found here in the MicroFAQ.

If you want to run 2 x R123 in a 6P, you will need to change the lamp to a higher-voltage version to accomodate the higher voltage of the rechargeables. Try Project C2-90. My test rig was a 6P-GM before I put the setup into my C2, so I've confirmed it will work for the 6P as well.

 

[cy]

[ QUOTE ]
Jackyl said:
Hey guys, I'm new to all of this, but I picked up a SureFire 6P yesterday and LOVE IT!!! I'm very interested in getting some rechargeable CR123A's and a charger. What is the difference between protected and unprotected cell batteries? Being lithium batteries, wouldn't they take a good charge with no memory issues and last for years and 1000's of charges or am I totally wrong?

If this is not a viable option at this time, where can I buy bulk CR123A's? I was leaning toward SureFire's 12 pack for $15 + shipping direct from SureFire. Any suggestions? Thanks!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

welcome to cpf Jakyl, running bare li-ion in a series presents a host of problems.

I'd run primary lithium for a while until things get sorted out with R123 li-ion cells.

Surefire got 123 for $1.25 and batterystation has 123 for $1ea.

 

[powernoodle]

Speaking of 2 x r123 blowing a 6P, will a Pila 168S work ok in a 6P?

best regards

 

[KevinL]

[ QUOTE ]
powernoodle said:
Speaking of 2 x r123 blowing a 6P, will a Pila 168S work ok in a 6P?

best regards

[/ QUOTE ]

Nope, it will deliver 3.7V which is at best, underdriving the P60. Since I don't have a Pila, I tried 3 x AA NiMH (3.6V, close enough) and the beam was really dim.

 

[Jackyl]

Thanks for the info guys!!! I'm learning already. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif I think I will order some from Batt. Station. They seem to be at least as good as the SureFires.

 

[powernoodle]

Kevin - I'm veering a little off topic here, but a 168S at 3.7v will run a KL4 head in regulation, but a single 3.0v r123 or CR 123 will not?

So many questions - so few brain cells.

best regards

 

[webley445]

Jackyl,
I get mine from Batt-Station but they charge shipping so it is more worthwhile to order a large amount, 20 or more, or have someone go in on an order with you to help defer shipping costs. At least thats what I do.
I have heard that it can take awhile to get orders from SF, but cannot say for certain.

Anyways...think I'll just stick to the non-rechargeable batts for the time being. Sounds like too much involved with the charging ones for now.

 

[KevinL]

[ QUOTE ]
powernoodle said:
Kevin - I'm veering a little off topic here, but a 168S at 3.7v will run a KL4 head in regulation, but a single 3.0v r123 or CR 123 will not?

So many questions - so few brain cells.


[/ QUOTE ]

No worries. I find that the lithium rechargeables are a pain in the head too (and other areas, subsequently /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif). Someone mentioned to me earlier that the technology has yet to mature, and I wholeheartedly agree.

Probably the reason why is that the L4 demands a minimum voltage for the regulator to be able to fire up at full power, and 3.6 is close enough, whereas when it detects 3.0V, it drops into moon mode. You'll recall that with two normal CR123s starting at 6V, by the time they drop to 3V, that's 1.5V per cell and they are nearly dead. That's the L4's working assumption that when the voltage falls to that extent, it's time to bail out.

Rechargeables however can 'hold' the 3.7V nominal rating over a large part of their discharge cycle, so they don't drop out of regulation.