The CR123 battery shootout.

[batterystation]

Here are the results of a discharge on three fresh 123 batteries at 500mah load.

Sanyo CR123- 1341mah
Surefire 123- 1220mah
Lisun Arc 123- 1188mah

I did not have another fresh tek cell and the lithium analyzer is only three stations. I would say that all three did very well. Sanyo rates theirs at 1300mah, so that is sort of the number I was hoping to see them all at.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/twak.gif

 

[paulr]

You mentioned your tester can go up to 1000 mA. Can you do another test at that level?

Also I can send you a Tekcell if you want to test it.

 

[batterystation]

Yes I can, but I do not have any Tek cells left. I have lots of the rest. I will set up another run tomorrow. I like to be here though it will save the results unless the power blinks. Then all the displays are back to start.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

Thanks, Kevin for doing this test. This kind of information put out to the world could ultimately result in battery makers improving the capacity of 123 cells. Sanyo is the king of the hill in your tests, so far. Would be interesting to see the results of Duracell, and other brands of 123 cells. Bill

 

[Brock]

That seems odd to me, but I don't doubt the results. About 2 years ago when I tested them the Sanyo was the worst in the bunch, but that was at 1100mA. I wonder if the Sanyo’s do better at a lower draw?

I know for sure the Sanyo’s with shutdown sooner then others in the 12PM, it only takes about 2 min and it is noticeably more yellow then Duracell’s. Again I haven’t done that test in a couple of years.

At that time Duracell Ultras lasted the longest, then when Surefire’s came out I tested them against the ultras and the SF's one. Again this was in 1000mA+ loads.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

but what happens to the voltage as the various batteries run out their current? Wouldn't a battery that keeps it's voltage higher for 6-7% less runtime be better than anotherbattery with an extra 100 milliamps of capacity, but at lower voltage?

 

[James S]

I would think that would depend on how you were using them. A higher voltage would generally be better in a light with a step up circuit. Since it would have to do less work and therefore it would pull less current at that higher voltage across the life of the cell. It would last longer for that reason and since you're draining it at a slightly lower current too.

In a light with a step down converter it would probably not make any measurable difference?

 

[batterystation]

I have not run a Duracell against a Sanyo in years. You could be right about Duracell. Sanyo is a very good product though. Unfortunately my cable (RS232) is missing so I cannot hook this thing to my computer right now for the voltage curves. All I have at the moment is the discharge capacities.

I am sure the ratings are higher as Brock stated due to a lower load. I expect to see capacities drop on the heavier load. I am going to run this tomorrow so I can monitor it.

 

[this_is_nascar]

[ QUOTE ]
batterystation said:
Here are the results of a discharge on three fresh 123 batteries at 500mah load.

Sanyo CR123- 1341mah
Surefire 123- 1220mah
Lisun Arc 123- 1188mah

I did not have another fresh tek cell and the lithium analyzer is only three stations. I would say that all three did very well. Sanyo rates theirs at 1300mah, so that is sort of the number I was hoping to see them all at.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/twak.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

This is certainly interesting, however in real-life high powered flashlight useage, the SureFire cells will run a light brighter and longer every single time. I've proven this in my own benchmark testing on several occassions and as recently as 6-months ago.

 

[hotbeam]

Would be interesting to see results from the Energizer...

 

[FalconFX]

At 1 Amp draw, I'm pretty sure you'll start seeing numbers favoring the SureFire, as opposed to the Sanyo. For all the runtime tests I've done, it just seems to me the high powered hungry eaters like the M6 or a 5W LS love SureFire's brand batts...

 

[PaulW]

Thanks guys. I was seriously considering buying 40 or 50 Lisuns to save 25%. But these posts and ones I've seen elsewhere seem to tell me that isn't really wise. I often use HOLAs or super-bright mods, which draw more than 1.5 Amps. It appears that the SureFires will me the bang that I pay for with the extra buck.

FYI, the testing that this_is_nascar did 6 months ago is discussed here.

 

[batterystation]

Nascar, it is clear from your tests that the SF does better under a heavier load than others. That is very interesting.

 

[billw]

[ QUOTE ]
this_is_nascar said:
This is certainly interesting, however in real-life high powered flashlight useage, the SureFire cells will run a light brighter and longer every single time. I've proven this in my own benchmark testing on several occassions and as recently as 6-months ago.


[/ QUOTE ]

I'd really like to see results of benchmark with newer cells (ie,
the really cheap ones.) I've been speculating that the lower price
is due to SF finding a cheaper manufacturer, and I'd certainly like
someone to disprove that depressing thought.

BillW

 

[Tombeis]

I don't believe Surefire found a cheaper manufacturer.

Surefire seems to have seen the writing on the wall which said, that if we sell batteries at or near our cost, more people will buy our flashlights.

I have not found that new Surefire batteries performed any differently then the first issue SF123's I purchased.