Rechargeable CR123 batteries

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Bwbuff

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Good morning all,

I need to get some rechargeable CR123 batteries, one for the environment , two for the long term savings. I was looking at the Tenergy brand (with 700mah) with charger. Do you have any experience with this brand or any other suggestions ? Thank you.
 

xkaes

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I've never seen rechargeable CR123 batteries, but they might be out there. If it's lithium-ion or silver oxide -- the only kinds I know of -- they are not rechargeable. Good luck -- they are not cheap, that's for sure.
 

Donald Qualls

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There are rechargeable lithium ferro-phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries made in the CR123 form factor.

That said, I have no experience with this battery chemistry outside power tools, and no history with Tenergy.
 
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xkaes

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Thanks for that info. I certainly like that THREE AA A batteries to TWO CR123A adapter. I'll have to check it out.
 

4season

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Have gotten excellent service from Watson-branded CR-123 and CR-2 batteries and charger for years, wasn’t aware that Tenergy offered similar products. I’ve known of the Tenergy brand via radio control hobby sites for some time.
 

Donald Qualls

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Too bad my 3xAAA flashlight can't take 2xCR123A...
 

Huss

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Have gotten excellent service from Watson-branded CR-123 and CR-2 batteries and charger for years, wasn’t aware that Tenergy offered similar products. I’ve known of the Tenergy brand via radio control hobby sites for some time.

I also use these. I have been happy with them but it seems that some power for a long time, others loose their juice rapidly. So for me it has been hit or miss, so I make sure I have a few spares with me which is easy enough.
 
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Bwbuff

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Thanks for your replies. Actually I just ordered a set of Tenergy RCR123a(s) with charger, I will find out the performance once I receive them.
 

Radost

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Thanks for your replies. Actually I just ordered a set of Tenergy RCR123a(s) with charger, I will find out the performance once I receive them.

Which model did you get?
 

Bushcat

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Thanks for your replies. Actually I just ordered a set of Tenergy RCR123a(s) with charger, I will find out the performance once I receive them.

These (like other rechargeable RCR123/16340 cells of this type) are 3.7V after charging. The 123a is 3V. This may or may not be an issue for you.
 

Radost

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These (like other rechargeable RCR123/16340 cells of this type) are 3.7V after charging. The 123a is 3V. This may or may not be an issue for you.

I am asking fr my wireless microphones. Not cameras. CR123 last long and are too cheap to not use with cameras
 

RalphLambrecht

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Good morning all,

I need to get some rechargeable CR123 batteries, one for the environment , two for the long term savings. I was looking at the Tenergy brand (with 700mah) with charger. Do you have any experience with this brand or any other suggestions ? Thank you.

After using rechargeable batteries, for a long time, I came to the conclusion that his best to charge them whenever needed, and not keep charged ones just in case.
 

gone

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I've been using rechargeable lithium batteries on eBikes for as long as there's been modern eBikes. They give excellent range and can last between 1 to 5 years, it just depends on usage and the quality of the batteries. These batteries are actually made from many small lithium batteries that are connected together and put into plastic or metal housings.

They do suffer a voltage drop when they run down, or over the course of a year or more. This could be a potential problem w/ cameras. People often make their own big batteries by buying the small cells and putting them together to get the type of battery they want. The trouble is, one never knows how long a battery has been sitting in a warehouse before being put on a store shelf, so buying high quality batteries usually address this.

As for the environment, it's not really a good story. Lithium mining does a real number on the earth, and their disposal is a huge issue. They may not be any "cleaner" than any other type of battery in terms of the environment, and they do occasionally catch on fire, which is very difficult to put out. Shipping them has a ton of restrictions. Getting en eBike battery to Hawaii is almost impossible (the new eBikes w/ batteries installed come on huge container ships), but for some reason no one seems worried about hundreds of passengers w/ cell phones and laptops on a plane!

 
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Bwbuff

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Which model did you get?
From the website , it said RCR123a Life PO4 with charger, I have not received them yet, once I do, I will take a picture and have better idea what exactly they are.
 

Donald Qualls

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I came to the conclusion that his best to charge them whenever needed, and not keep charged ones just in case.

This, of course, presupposes that you will always know at least an hour or two in advance when you're going to need a charged battery.

LiFePO4 may be different, but the general rule with lithium ion/lithium polymer batteries is "charge at every opportunity, don't exceed 80% or discharge below 20% for best life."
 

BobD

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As a comment on the brand, I use Tenergy LifePO4 batteries on nearly a daily basis to power a flash as well as in other devices and I'm very happy with them. I also use one or two of their chargers. Tenergy is a brand I always look for first when shopping for rechargeables.
 

ic-racer

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After using rechargeable batteries, for a long time, I came to the conclusion that his best to charge them whenever needed, and not keep charged ones just in case.

I had that same philosophy until I switched to Eneloop batteries. They stay charged for year, and years. They really do. So I have them in every thing in which I can fit AA or AAA batteries. They don't make CR123 however.
 

Radost

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I had that same philosophy until I switched to Eneloop batteries. They stay charged for year, and years. They really do. So I have them in every thing in which I can fit AA or AAA batteries. They don't make CR123 however.

I have been using envelop professionally since before Panasonic squared them from Sanyo, maybe 15 years. They blacks are absolute best AA AAA and has saved me thousands of dollars in batteries.
 
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I won't buy batteries or film from Amazon anymore. Once I bought a bunch of Duracells or another major manufacturer. The batteries were marked expired date three years old and the date on the blister pack they came in was a few months hence. Something fishy going on. Then I bought some film once and they expired in less than six months.

Knockoffs? Sitting on the shelves at Amazon too long? It's just not reliable to me so I go with a major camera equipment retailer (edited) when I buy film. For batteries, I'll shop at Home Depot or another store that hopefully buys honestly.
 
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Bwbuff

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You are right, when I buy batteries online, I look for those sellers who state the expiry date in the description. I try to stay away from those who just pick the items and ship without second checked whether the package is damage or not.
 
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Bwbuff

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From the website , it said RCR123a Life PO4 with charger, I have not received them yet, once I do, I will take a picture and have better idea what exactly they are.
Just received the batteries. please see attached.
 

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eli griggs

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You are right, when I buy batteries online, I look for those sellers who state the expiry date in the description. I try to stay away from those who just pick the items and ship without second checked whether the package is damage or not.

I recently had a set of Surefire 123's come with an opened package.

Amazon sent me a replacement in 24hours.

I have wondered about the Tenergy rechargeables, as well.
 
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