Posted: 12/2/2011 12:44:00 PM EDT
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Hi All,
I went to the local Battery joint today, and asked about rechargable CR123s. I was asked if they were for flashlights (and they were), and the fellow (who has been really knowledgeable about batteries) asked if I had talked to the flashlight manufacturers about this. I had not. He said the rechargables say right on them "Not for Flashlights", and he said the readon is that the voltage is higher at recharge than new non rechargables. I think he said 3.4 - 3.6 for new,. and a little over 4.0 for recharables.. Anyone run into this before? |
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He's spot on. Some flashlights (including Surefire) cannot accommodate rechargeable CR123's.
ETA: There's a wealth of battery information at CPF. Start here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?133440-Flashlight-Electronics-Batteries-Included-Threads-of-Interest |
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You're going to need to get a light that was designed for rechargeables. Solarforce or Lumaforce or some off-shoot. I got the Lumaforce LF1 that is a somewhat copy of a SF 6P. I put their aggressive strike bezel on it and I really like it better than my original 6P. The Cree lamp is way brighter than the replacement led that SF offers. It take the 18650 Li-on batteries. If Surefire were smart and not busy suing their competitors out of business and charging $400+ for a simple, no-frills weapon light, they would make something that accommodates that recharge pack. I understand machining costs, R&D work, and bringing things to market, but seriously, $400 some odd bucks for an led scout light is obscene. I bought my first 9R that is marked Laser Products in 1992. It had a screw on body expansion that took a 4 cell rechargeable pack. Take the expansion off and it became a 6P. I bought a used SF scout light that sits on my FS2000. I refused to pay $400 for a new one. They don't even offer basic strobing in most products. The amp/volt thing is correct but led's are more forgiving and have an operating range. Don't put a rechargeable pack in an incandescent light. You'll blow it.
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| he is half correct. there are 2 versions of rechargeable 123's. one is 17335's which are 3v and the 16340's which are 3.6v. the 17335's can be used in lights designed for regular 123a's but the problem with them is the mah's. they wont give you as long a run time as standard 123's. if you want some good lights with good batteries look into 18650 lights. the 18650 is the same cells used in most laptop batteries. there are a lot of options out there as well as a wide range of outputs and price range. |
| I saw rechargeable 123's ruin a guys led light at work, not sure what brand but A high end one. basically the over voltage caused the solder to melt at the led lamp, tried to re solder still no-go guessing it melted the circuit. the rest of us promptly removed the batts from our lights! |
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In what flashlight are you looking to use the rechargeables? I'll have to get them all gathered up, but fenix tk14, fenix tk15, and a couple of stream lights that I can't remember the model numbers offhand. I would look into 17670 for the Streamlight (they may or may not fit depending on the inner diameter) and 18650 for the Fenix (they usually are bored big enough for these batteries). You won't overdrive the LED's with these (each of these batteries makes up for two CR123 batteries, with the 18650 being slightly longer/wider). eta: Make absolutely sure you get PROTECTED li-ions. Do not use unprotected cells or you risk some damage to your lights. |
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Quoted:
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In what flashlight are you looking to use the rechargeables? I'll have to get them all gathered up, but fenix tk14, fenix tk15, and a couple of stream lights that I can't remember the model numbers offhand. I would look into 17670 for the Streamlight (they may or may not fit depending on the inner diameter) and 18650 for the Fenix (they usually are bored big enough for these batteries). You won't overdrive the LED's with these (each of these batteries makes up for two CR123 batteries, with the 18650 being slightly longer/wider). eta: Make absolutely sure you get PROTECTED li-ions. Do not use unprotected cells or you risk some damage to your lights. Thanks. I'll take this thread right to the battery guy. |
| i run the battery junction lipo 123s in my fenix tk12. no issues what so ever. run time is about 75% of standard lithium 123s. i also recharge them every 30 days whether used or not and after every use as those will lose a slight bit of charge over time. this is a backup to my duty light so usage is not everyday and frankly it might get used 20-30 min every other month as a loaner on scene. |
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my Surefire classic military POP with rechargable batteries,,my Streamlights work fine, including two weaponlights and a twin task.
I bought 12 rechargable no name brands with chargers on ebay, CHEAP....3 years ago, still on the orginal 5 I started with charge lasts FOR EVER in little used Twin task and about once a month on a nightly used weapon light. 
other 7 are fully charged in storage..I have tested them a couple of times as recently as 2 months ago. |