Cr123 Batteries – Disposable vs. Rechargeable

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. 

Although Cr123 batteries are small sized, they are strong enough to power your powerful flashlight and produce a straight and strong beam. Lithium cells are used in these batteries. These cells have a capacity of around 1500 mAh and give you a back-up of few hours.  

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.