Cr123 batteries (sometimes referred to as
CR123a) were originally designed for camera’s. They commonly used in duty
lights for Law Enforcement, Security, Corrections and EMS. Although some lights
are powered by AA or AAA batteries CR123 batteries are able to power the
powerful lights. Small in size they can be a powerful force in keeping your
flashlight working and your beam strong. The cells are lithium and average about
1500 mAh in capacity and can last anywhere from 45 minutes to a few hours. (88)
CR123
batteries come in disposable and
rechargeable formats. Rechargeable batteries to replace the CR123 can come in
the form of a single rechargeable that is a similar size as a CR123 or in the
size that replaces two of the CR123a’s for lights that use more than one
CR123A. The rechargeable battery used to replace a single CR123 is a 16340 and
are about 600 mAh. The rechargeable replacement for two CR123 batteries is the
18650. These can be anywhere from 2600 mAh to 3400 mAh.
What is mAh ?
It stands for mill amperes / hour. It is
the capacity of the cell, or battery, and is the product of current and time,
usually quoted at the ten hour rate. For instance: 1500 mAh battery can deliver
1500 mA (1.5A) for 10 hours, or approximately pro-rata. A 3000 mAh hour battery
can deliver 3000 mA (3A) for 10 hours, or approximately pro-rata.
The time for higher discharge currents will
be less than that expected because of the batteries inevitable internal
resistance, and the heat generated. So a 1500 mAh battery will deliver 1500mA
for less than 1 hour.
Let’s look at chargeable vs rechargeable
For a 2 cell flashlight
you would need (figures based on Xtar battery specifications)
1 x Rechargeable 16340 600 mAh = 1200 mAh
2 x Disposable CR123 1400 mAh = 2800 mAh
1 x Rechargeable 18650 3400 mAh = 3400 mAh
Based on a 2200 mAh battery the TZ20′s XM-L
U2 runtime is as follows.
18 Lumens – 180 hrs
320 Lumens – 3 Hrs 18 mins
820 Lumens – 1 Hrs 18 mins
The rechargeable 16340
As you can see two of the 16340 only give
you 1200 mAh. The two disposable cr123 batteries give you 2800 mAh and the
18650 gives you 3400 mAh. The 16340 will cost you between $7.99 and $9.99 a
pair. With only 1200 mAh your runtime will be a less than other options above.
The Disposable CR123
Two of the disposable CR123 give you 2800
mAh, 1600 mAh more than the 1200 mAh the 16340 gives you. At around $5.00 for
two so far the best deal. However over time the cost of running your light will
be enormous.
The Rechargeable 18650
The 18650 is the best option. It gives you
3400 mAh, runs around $20.00 each. The above TZ20 runtimes are based on a 18650
2200 mAh. I’m not a scientist or an electronics expert but the math is simple.
A 2200 mAh battery gives you 1 hr. 18 mins runtime at 820 lumens on a TZ20 XM-L
U2
3400 – 2200 = 1200 with 1200 mAh difference
in the 3400 mAh your runtime will be longer. Now keep in mind there are
probably other factors that determine battery life that determine how long it
lasts. Simple math tell me you’re going to get a lot more from your battery
than using two of the 16340 batteries and you will save a lot more than the
cost of continually purchasing disposable CR123 batteries.
Xtar disposable and rechargeable batteries
are available at 911gear.ca
Cr123 batteries are also known as CR123a;
they are originally designed for cameras. They are utilized to power duty
lights for security, law enforcement, corrections and EMS purpose. These lights are the most powerful lights and
only CR123 batteries can power them for long. It is very rare that AA or AAA
batteries are used in heavy lights.
Types
and Capacity
Normally, CR123 batteries are of two types
– disposable and rechargeable. Rechargeable batteries, again, can either
comprise of a single battery for replacing a CR123 battery or a bigger one that
can replace two CR123a batteries. The rechargeable battery which is used to
replace a single CR123 is usually of the size of a CR123 and has a capacity of
600 mAh. On the other hand, the rechargeable substitute for two batteries
ranges from 2600 mAh to around 3400 mAh in capacity.
mAh, the capacity measure, is short for
mill amperes/hour. This refers to the capacity of the cell/battery. It is the
product of time and current and is quoted at the rate of ten hour. On an
average, a 1500 mAh battery gives you
1500 mA for about 10 hours. And, a 3000 mAh battery gives you a back-up of 3000
mA for more than 10 hours.
Comparison
To find out which one out of the above
mentioned battery types is best, let’s have a quick comparison.
The
rechargeable 16340
One
rechargeable
16340 battery is 600 mAh and gives you 1200 mAh:
One
Rechargeable 16340 600 mAh = 1200 mAh
On
the other hand, two disposable cr123 batteries provide you 2800 mAh while the
18650 is giving you 3400 mAh. And the cost of rechargeable 16340 is $7.99 to $9.99 per pair.
The
Disposable CR123
The capacity of two disposable CR123 is
2800 mAh which is more than double the capacity the rechargeable 16340 gives
you.
Two Disposable CR123 1400 mAh = 2800 mAh
The two of them cost you $5.00 and which is
way cheaper than the rechargeable 16340. Then though running your lights is too
costly over time and this is a different case.
The
Rechargeable 18650
The capacity of the rechargeable 18650 is 3400
mAh and costs you $20.00.
The Rechargeable 18650 3400 mAh = 3400 mAh
The
Rechargeable 18650 gives you 1200 mAh more than a 2200 mAh battery. This is a
huge difference and this is why the 18650 is the best option. For example, a
2200 mAh battery provides you with a runtime of one hour and eighteen minutes
at 820 lumens with a TZ20 XM-L U2.
18
Lumens = 180 hours
320
Lumens = 3 Hours and 18 minutes
And
820 Lumens = 1 hour and 18 minutes
These
are TZ20 runtimes based on a 2200 mAh battery.
When you compare the statistics, you can see the difference. The
rechargeable 18650 is more proficient in terms of output. It gives you 3400 mAh
whereas the other is giving 2200 mAh. There is a clear difference of 1200 mAh.
Your basics requirements are greater back-up and longer battery life and both
of them are here.
With
the rechargeable 18650 you are getting 3400 mAh and obviously, your runtime
with this is longer. Then it is easier to get recharge your battery than purchasing
new disposable CR123 batteries. Plus, it is better to use a single powerful
battery rather than the two.
