CR123 batteries

[lovenhim]

Hello everyone.  I have an Inova X% flashlight and it uses CR123 batteries in it, two of them for 6 volts.  I want to know if I can use rechargeable CR123's in it, and if so do I use the 3v charger and batteries or can i use the 3.6v charger and batteries to maybe make it brighter or would I damage the light?  I looked tonight and a two pack of normal Energizer CR123's was $10, ouch.  I use rechargeable batteries all the time in AA, C, and D, so why not a CR123?    Who sells quality batteries and chargers? 

[jzmtl]

Inova X5 use a resistor to drop voltage/current to the LEDs, so if you use 3.6v (which is really 4.2) you'll put quite a bit more current through the LED and risk burn out. The 3.0v would work (assuming it's a true 3.0, not a 3.6 with a circuit board to disguise as 3.0) but they have pathetic capacity. There are also more to it than this, so unless you go through a lot of batteries it's not worth it getting the rechargeable setup.

You can buy 123a cheaper online, especially if you buy in bulk. Take a look at these websites:

www.batterystation.com
www.batteryjunction.com
www.4sevens.com/index.php?cPath=53_59

[Styerman]

JZ has it right , I don't even come close  to justifying the cost of rechargables , I go thru a cell every 2 months in my single cell EDC lites - at about $2.50 each ( when bought by the dozen ) .

Chris

[RichardMT]

Just a suggestion. Buy online and you can get them around a buck a battery.

If you like to just buy a couple at a time locally, you might look at Academy Sports. I noticed yesterday that they had a 2-pack of Streamlight batteries for 4.99. They also have their own private (Academy) 123s for about 2.29 each. Not too bad.

[Styerman]

Try to get Japanese or US made Batt's . The majority of CR123 explosions have involved el cheapo Chinese Batts .

Chris

[lovenhim]

I sent an email to Inova about my X5 asking them about CR123 batteries and using rechargeable batteries  in it and here is the reply that I received:


Dear Paul,

 

Thank you for taking time to contact Nite Ize and your inquiry regarding your Inova X5 Flashlight.  I wanted to let you know that Nite Ize, Inc. has recently acquired the INOVA brand of performance LED flashlights. We look forward to providing an exceptional customer service experience to all INOVA customers.

 

If you use rechargeable batteries in this flashlight, it could very possibly damage the flashlight.  In addition, if you use batteries that are not recommended, the warranty on your flashlight may not be honored.  Since we have recently acquired the Inova brand line, we will be testing out rechargeable batteries with the 123A Lithium flashlights in the near future, to see what can be done to keep them from being damaged by rechargeables.  If you do choose to try the rechargeable batteries in your flashlight, despite the warnings, our on-site engineer says that they MUST be 3-volt and that you need to read the manufacturer’s warning that comes with the batteries and make sure it does not say “Do not use in flashlights”.

 

There is an Inova flashlight, the T4, that does come with a rechargeable battery and a charging unit.  If you are interested in this flashlight, let me know and I can send you some more information.

 

Let me know if you have additional questions.

 

All the best,

 

 

--

Shawn Caroline Powell

Customer Service

Nite Ize, Inc.

5660 Central Avenue

Boulder, CO  80301

800-678-6483

303-449-2576

Fax: (303) 449-2013

spowell@niteize.com

www.niteize.com
cid:image001.jpg@01CABF6B.82801B40

 

[NutSAK]

JZ has it right , I don't even come close  to justifying the cost of rechargables , I go thru a cell every 2 months in my single cell EDC lites - at about $2.50 each ( when bought by the dozen ) .

Chris

  So, thats $15 per year.  Would rechargeables cost you more than that?  A Li-Ion cell will last you 3-4 years.

[jzmtl]

JZ has it right , I don't even come close  to justifying the cost of rechargables , I go thru a cell every 2 months in my single cell EDC lites - at about $2.50 each ( when bought by the dozen ) .

Chris

  So, thats $15 per year.  Would rechargeables cost you more than that?  A Li-Ion cell will last you 3-4 years.

Too much trouble to keep everything charged. As it is right now my cellphone run out of juice middle of day once in a while, don't need manage another charger lol.

[lovenhim]

I do not think I could justify rechargeable CR123 batteries.  I already have rechargeable AA and AAA, so why spend more money on something I do not really need?   

[NutSAK]

JZ has it right , I don't even come close  to justifying the cost of rechargables , I go thru a cell every 2 months in my single cell EDC lites - at about $2.50 each ( when bought by the dozen ) .

Chris

  So, thats $15 per year.  Would rechargeables cost you more than that?  A Li-Ion cell will last you 3-4 years.

Too much trouble to keep everything charged. As it is right now my cellphone run out of juice middle of day once in a while, don't need manage another charger lol.

I understand the frustration of charging, but Styerman said he couldn't justify the cost...  That is why I made the price comment.

[Styerman]

If you get rechargable CR123's you still need a couple of primaries as backups anyway . ( at least if you are a forgetfull old goat like me ) , from what I have heard , a lot of the chergers need to be babysat , I would prefer a fire and forget it missle .

Correct me if I'm wrong but the capabilities are about 66% of the capabilities of fresh primaries .

I just don't see it as a worthwhile option .

Chris

[NutSAK]

Sure, I understand that they're not a good option for everyone.  In fact, the low capacity of RCR123 is the reason I personally don't use them.  The charger "babysitting" issue can easily be overcome with the use of a quality charger in a non-flammable area.

It's just that when you stated the following, I thought you were implying that CR123 primary cells are more cost-effective than RCR123 Li-Ion secondary cells:

I don't even come close  to justifying the cost of rechargables , I go thru a cell every 2 months in my single cell EDC lites - at about $2.50 each ( when bought by the dozen ) .

I can't justify the cost of using primary CR123 cells in EDC lights, even though I have bought them in the past for as low as $1.50 a piece.

[angusW]

I think it depends on how often the flashlight is used. I'm sure primaries are the way to go for a lot of people but some like myself prefer rechargeables since I do use them quite a bit. If it's your edc and not used often and not used for a long period of time then go for the primary. There are some pretty decent chargers on the market and all of my batteries are from China and not one has exploded even though they are used a lot. I don't find it terribly expensive or a hassle using rechargeables.

[Styerman]

Terry , can you recomend a charger /cell combination that is reasonably non problematical , I want to use them in a Novatac 120 EDC , and a Surefire E1B . I have heard that diameter and voltage parameters can be a problem .

I'm not closed minded on the topic , just that available evidence seems to point away from that option .

Chris

[NutSAK]

If it's your edc and not used often and not used for a long period of time then go for the primary.

I would agree that you want to use primary in lights that are not used often.  If you invest in Li-Ion, they should be used often, because they only have a maximum 3-4 year life anyway.  Charge them as frequently as you wish--if the proper charge algorithm is used, there will be no damage.

Chris, I will put together some recommendations for you if you really want.  Prices will be around the $40-$50 mark for something reliable.  Diameter can definitely be a problem with Surefire, but not so with the Novatac.  Like I said, I don't think RCR123 is worth the effort.  They're cost effective, yes, but not worth the time and frustration as you menitoned.  If you were going to use 18650, or 14500 (AA siz), I'd say go for it.

[Styerman]

Terry , I forgot to mention I also have a semi retired ( due to irreplacability ) McGizmo MacLux III PD ( one of the early runs ) , it seems to be quite rechargable friendly .

Chris

[Black Rose]

If you were going to use 18650, or 14500 (AA siz), I'd say go for it.

Or 17670 for Surefires such as an unbored 6P or a G2 with an LED drop-in.

[NutSAK]

Terry , can you recomend a charger /cell combination that is reasonably non problematical , I want to use them in a Novatac 120 EDC , and a Surefire E1B . I have heard that diameter and voltage parameters can be a problem .

I'm not closed minded on the topic , just that available evidence seems to point away from that option .

Chris

I have two recommendations for reliable Li-Ion charging. 

If you want a cradle-type charger that has a simple "drop it in and it charges" operation, the Pila IBC is the way to go.  It uses a CC/CV charge algorithm, and does not trickle charge at the end of cycle.  This is very important for safety when charging Li-Ion.

However, you get MUCH more bang-for-the-buck from a hobby charger at about the same price.  The hobby chargers will charge Li-Ion (Li-Po, L-Lo, Li-Fe), NiMH, NiCD, lead-acid for about the same price as the Pila, and has options to discharge and test cell capacity.  However, it's not a simple "drop-in" type of operation--you will need to adjust parameters such as number of cells and charge rate when using it.  These are set up to be portable and run off a 12V battery, but you can buy an AC power supply on ebay for $10.  The Accucel-6 linked above is what I use, and I'm very happy with it.

[Styerman]

Thank you Sir .

Chris