What will you choose?? RCR 3.6V or 3.7V

[dealgrabber2002]

I am debating to whether to get RCR132A 3.6 or 3.7V for my gf flashlight (FMR1 takes 1 RCR123A). I notices when using the 3.7V, my flashlight heats up pretty fast. Will getting a 3.6V reduct the heat alittle?

What do you guys prefer? Please give me a reason, so I can use it to decide what voltage to get her. Thank you buddies. HAPPY THXSGIVING!

See how much I love you guys, I am 2 hrs from eating the biggest meal of the year and still thinking of you guys. Nothing comes before you guys...except the turkey, some smash potatoes, yams, and some beers... nothing else!

-E

 

[Fallingwater]

3.6v and 3.7v cells are really the same.
If you want a bit less voltage, there are LiFePO4 RCR123s that have a nominal voltage of about 3.2.

 

[dealgrabber2002]

thanks fallingwater,

quick recap... 3.7V charger can charge 3.6V and vice-versa right?

 

[Fallingwater]

3.6v and 3.7v cells are the same, it's just the manufacturers that choose to call them differently.
The truth is that the voltage of a LiIon cell is highly variable. When the cell is fully charged it's at 4.2V, and when it's fully discharged at 3.0V. Manufacturers just pick a number somewhere inbetween as the nominal voltage and print that on the cells. Different manufacturers sometimes print different nominal voltages, and that's all.

Note that I've read about some rare, older cells that are indeed "3.6V", in the sense that their full charge voltage is 4.1V. Charging those at 4.2 will overcharge them and shorten their operating life.
But I've never seen them, I don't think anyone's still making them, I don't think anyone still uses them and I'd be really surprised if a common-or-garden "3.6V" RCR123 cell was actually of that type.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Fallingwater,

The larger cells made by Saft are still rated as 3.6 volts nominal, and are fully charged at 4.1 volts. They are not R-CR123 cells though...

Tom

 

[Fallingwater]

Oh.
Well, you learn something new every day.

 

[RecycledElectron]

I use the Powerizer 3.2 volt LiFePO's in my FMR1. Work well. I've also used 3.7 volt Powerizer white and orange 680 mah batteries, I haven't run it hard on high. Mostly I run it on medium with the 3.7's, I haven't noticed excessive heating on high, though.

 

[AndyTiedye]

Hello Fallingwater,

The larger cells made by Saft are still rated as 3.6 volts nominal, and are fully charged at 4.1 volts.

Good to know. Overcharged li-ion D cells could make a very loud

 

[Fallingwater]

Good to know. Overcharged li-ion D cells could make a very loud

Unlikely.
All you'd probably accomplish with a 0.1V overcharge would be to severely decrease their service life. You'd need to go higher than that to cause thermal runaway.

Can I have some links to these 3.6V Saft cells? I'm curious.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Fallingwater,

Here is a data sheet from Saft. This is for a 25 Ah cell capable of 110 amps continuous.

I should point out that peak charging is to 4.1 volts, normal charging is to 4.0 volts.

Tom