Reliable lasting li-ion CR123A ?

[vaclav]

Can you give me an advice?
Which li-ion CR123A last years?

I did a comparasion test:
1.li-ion UltraFire 10440(AAA) 500mAh, 1 year old
-true capacity 250mAh
2.NiMH Sanyo eneloop AA 2000mAh, 3 years old
-true capacity 2020mAh

 

[Black Rose]

You're comparing apples to oranges with Li-Ion vs NiMh cells.

 

[Marduke]

AW's are considered the best brand.

But keep in mind that Li-Ions do have a finite life, starting the day they are made.

 

[lolzertank]

The only Li-ion chemistry that is going to stand a chance against NiMH for lifetime if stored fully charged is LiFePO4. I've NEVER seen a LiFePO4 10440 though. I know Batteryspace sells a LiFePO4 RCR123 though. Other stores probably have them too, I can't remember. If you store regular li-ion cells at 40% and/or in the fridge, the capacity loss should be minimal. By the way, the Ultrafire cell was probably at most 300mah when you got it.

 

[45/70]

By the way, the Ultrafire cell was probably at most 300mah when you got it.

In my experience, UltraFire 10440's are only about 250mAh, if that, when new so, vaclav I'd say yours is doing pretty good.

Overall, I think Li-Ions hold their charge quite acceptably compared to eneloops. Black is correct though, you're comparing dissimilar cell types.

Li-Ion technology is constantly improving. They used to say they lasted about 3 years, now it seems more like 5. eneloops won't fair much better than that. Given you properly care for each type in their respective way, I think it's pretty much a toss up.

The biggest problem with LiFePO4 chemistry, is their lower voltage. Some lights don't perform well. As far as the ones that do perform well with them, the only disadvantage is the lower capacity.

I'll jump on the AW bandwagon as well. You really can't go wrong with any of his cells. :thumbsup:

Dave

 

[tabetha]

I have loads of NIMH batteries over 5 years old and all going pretty much strong, though my 1980 SANYO c cells don't work really, but I think they are entitled to a rest!!
tabetha

 

[45/70]

I have loads of NIMH batteries over 5 years old and all going pretty much strong....

Well, it all depends on how you define "pretty much strong". I'm not saying that NiMH cells can't work after 5 years, but the only nickel based cells I know of, that will reliably hold 80% of there original capacity and hold voltage above 1.2 Volts under a reasonable load after 5 years, are NiCads. These two values are generally used to determine when to replace cells. I doubt your old NiMH's would pass either of these tests. Your 1980's Sanyo C's are likely NiCads, as NiMH chemistry didn't arrive on the consumer level until the early 90's.

NiMH's are much more fragile than NiCad's, and are more prone to being damaged. Part of this is because the separator in NiCad cells is more robust than that of NiMH's. Of course, this is also one of the reasons why NiMH cells have an initial higher capacity, there's more room for the chemical compounds. One disadvantage, the thinner separator degrades faster.

Don't worry, I have my own share of old NiMH's as well. They still work in low drain devices like AA powered wall clocks, and I find they're great to put in digital devices that would ordinarily loose their memory if not stored with batteries installed.

Dave

 

[vaclav]

Li-ion battery in my Canon Pro1 is more than 5 years old and works very well.

I bought Lenmar for my Canon 18 months ago and it already lost
most capacity.

So there is big difference between li-ion and li-ion.