Teach me about rechargeable litium 123, 18650 ...please

[marinemaster]

Hi,

Please teach me about rechageable 123. From i have read here and there are R123, 18650 etc, I think and some other numbers. I am running out of my regular 123 since I bought them 5 years ago.......They are getting expensive these days. I am looking at rechargeable alternatives. Since they will be used a lot looking for a good QUALITY charges and BATTERIES. I currently have a 6P with a KL3 head and also a Inova XO first generation. Also a P1 CE on the way. What is safe to run in all of them? Thansk much for all input.

Regards
Chris

 

[s002cjs]

I have to sort of agree with the question. I'm trying to expand my battery knowledge, but figuring out what is the same size as what, what the voltages are, etc. is tricky. Is there a compilation anywhere that shows things like...

Will a 14500 fit the same space as a AA?
What size is a 16500? How does it compare (size-wise) to a CR123?

Things like that. Any pointers?

Thank you!

 

[knot]

I made a stupid mistake. I bought some rechargeable 123 and a single cell charger from DX. I have a 2x123 flashlight and a single 123 light on the way. I think I need to charge two batteries together if I am to use them both in the same light.

 

[lctorana]

14500 = 14mm diameter x 50mm length (the last "0" means "cylindrical".

Etcetera.

The "C" in "CR123A" stands for "Cylindrical", and the "23A" stands for "2/3 A" (as in two-thirds the length of an "A" cell).

Whether a 14500 will fit in the place of an AA is down to manufacturing tolerances, I am afraid. You'll find that cells have grown a smidgin over the years. But it ***should*** fit.

 

[lctorana]

Charge your 123s one at a time, and if you're worried about matching after that, give the first cell a top-up charge.

 

[Oddjob]

RCR123 3.7 volt lithiun ion cells can come off the charger at 4.2 volts so it is important to know the voltage range of the light you intend to use it for.

CPF member AW sells rechargeables: http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=166496

Also check out this link:
http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone.htm

 

[s002cjs]

Great information and links to resources! Thank you all!

 

[dulridge]

Will a 14500 fit the same space as a AA?
What size is a 16500? How does it compare (size-wise) to a CR123?

A CR123 is sometimes called 16335 or 16mm diameter by 33.5mm high - so a 16500 is about 1.5 CR123's. Useful for using two rechargeables (8.4V) instead of three non-rechargeables (9V). Using 3 rechargeables in place of 3 non rechargeables is often fatal to electronics or bulbs as this is nearly 13 volts instead of the 9 the device is expecting.

14500's ought to fit - according to the data sheet here http://www.duracell.com/oem/Pdf/new/MX1500_US_UL.pdf the ANSI spec for an AA cell is between 13.5 and 14.5mm in diameter and between 49.5 and 50.5mm with the positive contact being at least 1mm high and a maximum of 5.5mm in diameter.

 

[coppertrail]

I charge my RCR123As 2 at a time and the voltages are just about identical off the charger.

 

[LED_Thrift]

BatteryJunction has 3.0v RCR123's [they may also have 3.7v's]. I have used them in a Nuwai Lux V light that uses three cells and it is a great way to power that light, which goes through cells pretty fast because it is so bright. I use them also in lights that take one CR123. They work great although they do not have the same mA-hour capacity as a primary cell.

Note: you must use the charger that is designed for these cells, the charger for 3.7v cells won't charge them properly.

 

[Dung Beetle]

Please teach me about rechageable 123. From i have read here and there are R123, 18650 etc

I've found this link by mdocod to be helpful, and of course, you need the read the 120 posting by Silverfox about charger and batteries. It is very helpful to know about some of the danger about li-ion cells, by cy.

Use the Google search feature at the top of this page and enjoy your hobby.

Just a few of the site:

MDs Lithium-Ion>Incandecent guide, +compatability/comparison chart
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=161536
and all the links he has in his article.

Li-Ion Battery Shoot Out
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=117117

greatest danger using li-ion cells occurs during re-charging
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=161549

This article is helpful from Thomas Distributing, a FAQ about Rechargeable batteries.
http://rechargeablebatteryinfo.com/rechargeable-batteries-faqs.php