What's your preferred power source - primary cells (such as CR123) or Li-ion rechargeable cells?
What's your preferred power source - primary cells (such as CR123) or Li-ion rechargeable cells?
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In general, li-ion for my EDC lights. L like being able to use them without worrying about the cost of batteries, as well as knowing I never have a good reason to carry a light with less than 80% of battery capacity remaining.
My family’s bike lights all use Li-ion or NiMH, and I install freshly charged cells after every ride for which the light was used. That use can go through a lot of cells quickly if they are not rechargeable.
I do prefer CR123 for weapon lights which are used rarely, or for exposure to cold, such as a light left in a car.
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I voted "Rechargeable only, I'm done wasting money on throw-away batteries.", but my reason doesn't have as much to do with money as the superior peak current of Li-ion cells.
For example the Orbtronic 16340 can deliver power at 3W vs 1W for a CR123 primary. Capacity is only 30% less than a primary: 3.2 vs. 4.6Wh. Rechargeables keep improving, and it won't be long before the capacity exceeds that of a primary. This little battery powers my 1100lumen one-cell Bodyguard2.
While I do keep primaries on hand as backups, I've found that stored Li-ion cells retain sufficient charge for a year or more (loss ~1 to 3% per month). I typically change the battery in my EDC once every couple months. A 3.5 Ah 18650 lasts so long I don't worry about most of them for a year or until a light gets dim.
Primaries are a pain in the ass because once they get used, I don't have an easy way to keep track of how much capacity remains.
Last edited by Clusterfrack; 06-17-2022 at 02:45 PM.
“There is no growth in the comfort zone.”--Jocko Willink
"You can never have too many knives." --Joe Ambercrombie
This is an important point often missed in regards to high output lights. Case in point;
Malkoff E2XT with current limiting to accept two CR123 cells, output = 500 lumens/55,000 candela
Malkoff E2XTD - same head with current limiting removed (D= direct drive) and limited to a single Li-ion cell (4.2 volts), output = 650 lumens/70,000 candela
Info here - https://malkoffdevices.com/products/...xt-3-4-6-volts
For maximum output, the high current capacity of Li-ion is the only way to roll.
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I voted rechargeable only. Here lately I carry a light with a 16650 cell just because it’s slimmer and the output is adequate. It’s also mostly for utility purposes. But I go back and forth between that and 18650 lights.
Need one more option. I carry a rechargeable only Surefire Stilleto Pro, but all my other lights especially for outdoors use have a rechargeable 18650/18350/CR123 with the option to then throw standard CR123s in if the main rechargeable battery dies in the field.
I voted for Primary cells, but not for the reason you assume
RE: long term storage: While 18650 and 16650 cells seem to hold a charge for a very long time, 16350 cells do not seem to hold their charge well, even when stored outside of a light and in a box that prevents contact between the terminals and anything conductive.
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