The Best RCR123 and RCR123 Charger?

[bmstrong]

I haven't used a CR123 light in over a year so I'm out of touch and date. If I may?

What is the best "brand" RCR123 and RCR123 Charger available? What do you guys use and swear by for EDC?

 

[fatts]

Things haven't really changed.

AW Cells are still the ones to get, IMR or standard Li-Ion.

Charger wise, most swear by their Pila chargers. I have not had that luxury, being in Australia so currently I'm using the UltraFire WF-139. I have little issue with my particular charger, but they've been reports about problems with this charger so it can'tt qualify for best charger.

 

[bmstrong]

Anyone else care to share and add thier opinion?

 

[1 what]

I agree with fatts.
I use AW's plus a pila charger.
From memory I purchased the charger from Battery Junction.
Not the cheapest but it works very well and I'm not concerned about it burning my house down.

 

[tabetha]

I have AW 123's, and the WF 139 charger.
The charger at first was great, now it seems that the left channel light does as it wishes, and the right one doesn't show charged now even though it is.
With all this I wouldn't buy another, but it is still charging correctly, I'm buying a PILA one.
I have 2 x cheapo chargers that are still working perfect, so may not even bother.
JUst be aware that the WF 139 does NOT as std charge 123's without a spacer, and that the terminals that are the right size across the two 18650 lanes are not wired up, this is easy to fix however, and a link is provided on DX on how to do this just with a few bits of wire and simple soldering.
I have ultrafire/surefire wama plus various unbranded cells in 123, but the AW 123 is light years ahead in performance terms, I charged all my batteries in pairs on the same charger, then compared them all, despite being(on paper) the same etc the AW were brighter, in 123 and 18650 size.
tabetha

 

[Black Rose]

this is easy to fix however, and a link is provided on DX on how to do this just with a few bits of wire and simple soldering.

It depends on which of the 3 versions of the WF-139 someone has.

I believe the latest version uses a totally different circuit board that cannot be modded.

 

[tabetha]

Sorry I didn't realise that.
I bought mine about 2 months ago, and the board is the same as the one in the link for modding.
tabetha

 

[kramer5150]

It depends on which of the 3 versions of the WF-139 someone has.

I believe the latest version uses a totally different circuit board that cannot be modded.

This is my understanding as well. I have the first 2 versions of WF-139 and have no problems with either, charging 18650 or 16340 cells (protected and unprotected alike). It charges each cell to 4.17V, and I am happy.

Its the Version 3 IIRC that has had the problems.

So while I have had good results from mine, I can not openly recommend the WF-139.

 

[Black Rose]

I have the first 2 versions of WF-139 and have no problems with either, charging 18650 or 16340 cells (protected and unprotected alike).

I had the 2nd version and had no problems with it charging 16340, 17670, and 18650 cells.
I sold it after I got a couple of the Yoho-122 chargers.

I now use a WF-138 for 16340 cells since it can charge regular and LiFePO4 16340 cells.

 

[bmstrong]

Is AW in the MP now? Or does he finally have a dedicated website?

 

[Black Rose]

He is in the MP. His threads are very active in the Delaer's Corner section.

You need to sign up over there if you are not already a member.

 

[Sparky's Magic]

The Pila Charger is in a class of its' own - The first time you handle it you will know! It's beautifully made, right down to the very small threaded spacers.
It performs perfectly: Mine came from the great folk at 'Oveready', all the way to Australia, beautifully packaged, sent within an hour or so of my placing the order. Half way around the World, in 8 days; I should have acquired one of these a long time ago!

AW's 17670's, I think, just shade the RCR123's and fit well in Surefire hosts; in fact it eliminates the need to bore to 18mm. at least that's how I feel. You get a bit more run-time without compromising the integrity of the S/F body.

Pila and AW, you can't go wrong! :twothumbs