Anyone have any experience buying and using the 123A rechargeable batteries?

(For weaponlights, etc.)

Friends use them, I don't.  I don't go through enough batteries to do it, plus with the shelf life I still have a working battery from the mid-90's.


Anyhow if you want to get a charger you can try PowerEdge.  They are a sponsor of the site.

Some rechargeables wont work in surefires cuz not enough current.

Don't use rechargeable 123s in surefires period. Also, using rcr123s in lights that arent designed for them drastically reduces runtime and overall output.

Alrighty, thanks.

My advice:  Don't.

I bought a set of 123 rechargeables + charger (a set, not mix and match!  their set together!).  That freaking thing caught fire and if I wasn't home would've burned my house down if I didn't catch the fire in time (you do have smoke detectors and extinguishers right).

Apparently the cells exploded but kept charging?  There were small flames going for about a minute or so, smoldering the bookcase.  Maybe one more minute before the whole thing got engulfed in fire, then the curtains, roof, rest of room, house!  Still scares the crap out of me today.

Caveat Emptor.

here endeth the lesson

My advice:  Don't.

I bought a set of 123 rechargeables + charger.  That freaking thing caught fire and if I wasn't home would've burned my house down if I didn't catch the fire in time (you do have smoke detectors and extinguishers right).

Apparently the cells exploded but kept charging?  There were small flames going for about a minute or so, smoldering the bookcase.  Maybe one more minute before the whole thing got engulfed in fire, then the curtains, roof, rest of room, house!  Still scares the crap out of me today.

Caveat Emptor.

That was Christmas 2011.  I also noted a couple more house fires that year due to rechargeable batteries, swore off anything like that from China.  Still use the smaller eneloops though w/o a hitch + smart charger bay.  Battery this strong I stick to Surefires only no rechargeables!  Got 18650s too but only if I can monitor the charging otherwise that sh#t is unplugged.

yeah, last christmas it was rechargeables in a game controller
glad it turned out ok, but that story/pic is SCARY

That was Christmas 2011.  I also noted a couple more house fires that year due to rechargeable batteries, swore off anything like that from China.  Still use the smaller eneloops though w/o a hitch + smart charger bay.  Battery this strong I stick to Surefires only no rechargeables!  Got 18650s too but only if I can monitor the charging otherwise that sh#t is unplugged.

yeah, last christmas it was rechargeables in a game controller
glad it turned out ok, but that story/pic is SCARY

literally seconds away from disaster. 

take a good look. (I can see gozirra! barrrrggghhh shooting flames)

buy protected circuit batteries made in japan or korea next time and a better charger. it wont happen again. the brand you were using makes junk stuff.

any protected panasonic,sanyo,samsung,sony based battery is good to go. ive been using rechargeable rcr123's, also known as 16340, for years. i have 2 daily carry flashlights that use rcr123's and still have and use all my original rechargeables. tossed the chinese batteries a long time ago. they get hot when charging and have half of their stated capacity.

here is a great charger for less than 25.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B007S9P3BC/?tag=2ahawaii-20
here is a protected rechargeable rcr123 for 5 bucks
http://goinggear.com/flashlights/batteries/eagletac-protected-rcr123a-750mah-li-ion-rechargeable-battery.html

buy the above "package" or equivalent brands and try again. 

Whoa

literally seconds away from disaster. 

take a good look. (I can see gozirra! barrrrggghhh shooting flames)

That was Christmas 2011.  I also noted a couple more house fires that year due to rechargeable batteries, swore off anything like that from China.  Still use the smaller eneloops though w/o a hitch + smart charger bay.  Battery this strong I stick to Surefires only no rechargeables!  Got 18650s too but only if I can monitor the charging otherwise that sh#t is unplugged.

Wow, thanks for the HEADS UP!

Yes we have smoke alarms. Some small extinguishers.

I also have the Enloops constantly charged.

I had TWO laptop batteries BURST. Not into fire, but like balloons. Actually now that I think about it, THREE laptop batteries, over the past 6 years.

hey 78
not trying to criticize, but that's kinda alot of things plugged into one strip too

i guess we should start a separate thread on power strips and battery backups

literally seconds away from disaster. 

take a good look. (I can see gozirra! barrrrggghhh shooting flames)

#1 - Fire is possible with ANY electric/electronic device.  Manufacturing defect, design flaw, age of device, power strip issues, power fluctuations/spikes/surges ... Don't assume all your other devices plugged into an outlet are any safer than this device was.

#2 - Do some research before (AND AFTER) buying any plug-in device.  Search for problems reported, recalls, and other pertinent data.  Check the manufacturer's site for possible warnings or additions to the instructions.

#3 - Don't rely on the country of origin.  Korean, Thai, Japanese, etc. manufacturer's can (and do) use Chinese components in their products.  My Apple MacBook Pro shipped directly from Shanghai.  I'm sure there might be a Chinese component or two in it!

#4 - It's smart to unplug ANY devices that charge batteries (cell chargers, garden and shop tools, ...).  Not only does that reduce the chance of fire, it also saves energy (and $$$).  Charger plugs can still draw current EVEN IF the battery or device being charged is removed.  These are called "Vampires" in the energy world.

http://environment.about.com/od/greenlivingdesign/a/energy_vampires.htm

Just my 2 cents.  Hope it's helpful!

hey 78
not trying to criticize, but that's kinda alot of things plugged into one strip too

i guess we should start a separate thread on power strips and battery backups

No worries.  That is a UPS with both protected and back up outlets.  Most of that isn't "running" and low load: small battery chargers (usually not charging),  an extension phone, and a cfl lamp.  It is idle most of the time. Now if the UPS itself blows it's load then I'm in bigger trouble with it's bigger battery! 

thanks for referrals jaynick!  I am not battery savvy so just bought whatever the shack had.  Unnerving now to mix and match but will see.

moosed - for sure helpful advice, esp to prevent FIRE.  would lose everything either burnt or water damaged and homeless.

Wow, thanks for the HEADS UP!

Yes we have smoke alarms. Some small extinguishers.

I also have the Enloops constantly charged.

I had TWO laptop batteries BURST. Not into fire, but like balloons. Actually now that I think about it, THREE laptop batteries, over the past 6 years.

Good God    This laptop (on a wood table) is also plugged into a UPS under a couch.  If either caught esp the one under the couch - poof.  Getting freaked out here again!  Almost makes me want to throw most of the breakers off. 

And I haven't even posted the pic of the exploding CFL - these tiny bombs are everywhere too.

ok, just making sure

i think i'll start a thread on UPS and another on power strips

No worries.  That is a UPS with both protected and back up outlets.  Most of that isn't "running" and low load: small battery chargers (usually not charging),  an extension phone, and a cfl lamp.  It is idle most of the time. Now if the UPS itself blows it's load then I'm in bigger trouble with it's bigger battery!

Speaking of rechargeables.... check this out

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005E48K6I/?tag=2ahawaii-20

$16 seems interesting - potentially dazzle attacker? 500 lumens.

Not sure about the recharging thing though considering our recent discussion.