Rechargeable CR123 Batteries

[5.56]

So, I bought a set of rechargeable CR 123 batteries for my lights. To my utmost disappointment, these batteries have voltage higher than what they are suppose to have, and I ended up ruining a couple of Surefire P60 lamps and an M4 Devastator lamp. These then sat in storage for a couple of months and I had no clue as to what to do with them.
Today, I decided to try to use these batteries with my laser pointer without any problem. In fact, the laser dot created with these batteries is a nice, solid one.
Heck, I guess I have use for these batteries after all. Any thoughts?

[Styrak]

Good for you that you found a use for them then?

[Deadpool]

There are 3 voltages I came across when it come to cr123's; 3.6v, 3.2v and the more widely used 3v. I've recently bought some 3.2v rechargeables, which I tried in my Luxeon LED light. They work really great! But I would never try the 3.6v's in there, for fear they'd burn it out. Maybe you bought 3.6v batts without knowing.

P.S.; Bought mine on Dealextreme.com with a charger, They work great!

[The Saint]

I've killed a couple Xenon bulbs the same way, when I first bought some Chinese rechargeable CR123s, which is why I now use a CREE LED. It's just a cheap one I picked up from an online Chinese place, but I've had zero problems using it with the rechargeables.

[Green]

I use rechargeable 3.7v CR123A on a LED lamp....Should I be worried about burning out the lamp with the additional power of the battery?

(sorry the thread jack...kinda)

[5.56]

Greenpunk_182, this LED light you have, does it use two batteries, or just one? If it uses two and you've not had a problem with it so far, I might try that with my LED lamps.

[Gunny_McSmith]

U lucky....the ones i got, Ultrafire brand,were supposed to be better then the free cheap china ones i got with my flashlight, but when i got them, 3 out of 8 didnt want to charge, and 1 is dead... :@.... So out of 8....i can only use 4.....and they dont even hold their charge that long... :@

[Green]

5.56,

yea, the torch I have uses two CR123A's and I really havent had a problem so far but I am curious about the long-term effects it will have on the LED light.

A friend on this forum has also been using the same batteries in a different model LED torch and also experience no problems so far but like I said, I'm not entirely sure if I'm shortening the lifespan of the LED.

If anyone with any knowledge or experience on this topic could throw in some advice, it would be appreciated.

[The Saint]

AFAIK/IIRC, proper LEDs are regulated, which is why they don't burn out when running off overcharged batteries.

[5.56]

Okay, I just installed two of these batteries, which turned out to be 3.7v when I took a closer look, in my Surefire GZ LED light with a P60L assembly. It has been running for two continueous minutes and so far no signs of problems!
It's great to be able to share this information to everyone. Thanks!

[LocoYokoPoco]

I'm using a pair of "Trust-fire" rechargeable cr123a batteries in my EA M6 Light (LED)/Laser and it works fine.
I didn't notice I bought the "cr123a" size. It's slightly bigger, and I had to mod my battery slot a bit. But it was definitely worth it.

Got the batteries from www.dealextreme.com

[5.56]

To save people from wasting their LED lights, my Pentagon L3 LED flashlight had a premature failure because of these 3.7 v batteries.
So, LED lights do fail under higher voltages!

[Kos-Mos]

Originally Posted by 5.56

To save people from wasting their LED lights, my Pentagon L3 LED flashlight had a premature failure because of these 3.7 v batteries.
So, LED lights do fail under higher voltages!

If they use a single battery, it is probable that there is no regulator as a typical white LED will run off 2.8 to 3.4v. A sign that the LED is overpowered is that the light color will start to turn purple... and turn red a fraction of second before burning... learned one day I had nothing to do but plugging LEDs on a variable PSU...

For 2 batteries ones, the voltage HAS to be regulated down whatever it is, usually by a switching regulator. If you use theses 3.7v batteries and notice the flashlight becomes hot, it is probably because it uses a linear regulator... discontinue use, it will burn.

[huang]

There is a battery shop in the plaza at warden/steel, north of steel, one block west of warden. They have CR123A rechargable battery pack( 2 CR123A batteries, one charger ) is around $30.