Rechargeable CR123A ?

[Freshman]

Anybody use the Rechargeable CR123A?

I had no idea they even existed?

http://www.batterystation.com/cpf.htm

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Rechargeable CR123A

Smart charger that holds two batteries.

BC-RCR-123A..........................$12.00

Charger does not come with batteries.

Rechargeable Li-Ion 3.6V CR123A battery with short-circuit protect board.

RCR-123A batteries............$6.00

These may not be compatable with other chargers or other RCR123A batteries. 700mAh capacity.

NOTE: These top off at 4.2V so watch the voltage and the device you are using them in carefully.


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/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

 

[CroMAGnet]

Excellent stuff. We go over a bunch of its details in a thread I started called Q3 Rechargable!!

in the LED section.

 

[chevrofreak]

Rechargeable CR123's are sweet. Does anyone know if the Inova X03 regulator can handle the potential 8.4 volts from a pair of these?

 

[diggdug13]

I just bought a charger and some RCR123 I'm hoping my Hyperlux can handle it juice, but knowing it was made by Chris at TnC I'm sure it can handle the extra kick.

doug

 

[xpitxbullx]

The Nuwai ALX-352L can take these rechargeables, too! Regulation at its finest!

 

[Hallis]

The Q3's can take them, i run one in each of mine /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Shane

 

[powernoodle]

So - remember when KevinL's battery/charger blew up? It was like the one that goldengadgets.com sells, though he didn't buy it there. Is this battery/charger combo any safer, and if so, why? Was Kevin's problem the battery or the charger?

best regards

 

[TrueBlue]

People always remember the best part of KevinL story and forget the important details. It makes dramatic headlines to simply say the charger blew up and point fingers at products declaring to people dangerous without all the facts.

More of the story says the rechargeable cells were allowed to discharge to zero volts and possible cell reversal. And KevinL had been modifying his charger for more voltage. Could he have exceeded the limit the manufacturer had on the charger? Could KevinL have shorted the wiring in the charger? There is a lot of questions that are unanswered but people have already come to the conclusion that that all Li-ion cells and chargers are explosives. They can be as KevinL's cell and charger did but did you know a standard cell charger can be explosive too? But people don't want to here that.

The same results could happen in a NiMH cell. Sure. Discharge to zero or reverse charge a cell, short out a cell, tweak the insides of the charger and possibly short out the high voltage end then plug that wall wart in the wall for a couple of days.

I don't see people running away from the standard charger...yet.

I use RCR123A cells and 14500 cells in different chargers. I even make some chargers. Yes, I live around Li-ion cells! You do too. In the cell phones and notebook computers are Li-ion cells! I even leave a room when I charge a Li-ion. And I'm still alive! What a wild and crazy guy I am! I have an RCR123A charger/cell charging in my kitchen right now…unattended. What a daring guy I am!

Treat any cell or charger with respect and you will have no problems.

In case anyone forgot about the "exploding" charger, with no attempt to hi-jack this thread, a remind of the true incident is HERE. Draw your own conclusions to the thread.

Saying there was a problem with a charger/cell is much more factual, but less dramatic, than simply saying "blew up."

 

[powernoodle]

Well, its completely accurate to say that it blew up. Thats what happened. Maybe I should have said that it experienced a violent, unplanned thermal expansion precipitated by usage not conforming to design parameters. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif But a safe and well-designed electrical component should not explode under any circumstances - irrespective of user error.

Part of the prob I have is that none of these R123 batteries and chargers are made by known manufacturers with reputations for quality. I'd pay big money for one that said "Duracell" or "Energizer" on it.

As for us all living around Li-ion cells and chargers (cell phones, etc.) without a problem, thats true. But they aren't made by some back-room North Korean madman like the the current batch of no-name R123 chargers apparently are.

Not having a degree in EE or any practical experience in the field, I'm leary about using my goldengadgets R123 charger given all of the warnings about unprotected/unregulated R123 batteries. Its pure ignorance on my part, I admit. But, I'm a highly paranoid person in general. As they say, "The second mouse gets the cheese."

Maybe I'll be a wild man and start using my goldengadgets charger. With safety glasses, of course. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/happy14.gif

best regards

 

[TrueBlue]

I must be daring! I left the house to go to an auto repair place and I left my Li-ion cell in the charger...charging! The house didn't burn down.

Seriously, I do agree with powernoodle that I wish the manufacturers of the products would please put a name on the products instead of hiding and running. Could it be they don't want to put their name on the product? Not putting a name makes it look like the manufacturer doesn't want us to know who makes their equipment. Aren't they proud of what they make?

Another thing that irrates me is why can't a manufacturer put a simple fuse in a product. It doesn't cost that much more and would make a product much safer. If the product had a fuse in it the manufacturer could delare, to a marketer's delight, that their charger is safe. Then the company would be proud to put their name on a product.