600mAh 3 volt nominal output rechargeable CR123 with circuit protection

There are several versions of rechargeable CR123 on the market today each requiring a unique charger which are not generally interchangeable. Use caution when selecting your batteries and chargers.

This unique battery is a Lithium Ion battery with an internal circuit (IC) which regulates the output voltage level. The reason for this is that a standard non rechargeable CR123 (called a primary battery) is 3.0 volts due to its chemical make up and operates under load at about 2.8 volts. Some electronic devices such as flashlights are optimized for this 2.8 battery voltage and can not operate with a standard 3.7v lithium Ion rechargeable battery which is 4.2 volts when freshly charged and gradually drops to a nominal operating voltage of 3.7 volts.

There are several versions of 3.0v rechargeable CR123 batteries on the market today including this one offered by e-lectronics.net, each one is different with unique specifications and they are not interchangeable. None of these are a direct 1 for 1 replacement for a disposable Primary Lithium CR123 although these do work in most applications when a standard Li-ion 3.7v cell is too high of voltage. As seen in the chart below, this cell is approximately .7mm larger in diameter than a primary CR123 which measures 16mm diameter by 34mm long.

The circuit in these RCR123 3.0IC batteries not only regulate voltage output, it also provides protection against min/max voltage and current specifications. Li-ion protected cells are commonly identified by any of the following: PCB (printed circuit board), PCM (power control module), or IC (internal circuit) which are all terms that indicate the cell has an electronic circuit designed to create an open circuit when design specification values of current or voltage are exceeded. This circuit is located at the negative end of the cell with in a small plastic case and concealed by the PVC shrink wrapping. To test the PCB of this cell, place a 1k ohm resistor across the terminals to activate the circuit while measuring voltage with a voltage meter.

Some flashlight models do not work with this cell due to their high initial start up current which is perceived as a short circuit or overload and trips the protection circuit of this battery. This is sometimes over come by several clicks of the power switch which energizes the bulb just long enough to heat it up which raises the resistance of the filament and lowers the current draw. Lights known to exhibit these characteristics are noted in the chart at the bottom of this page. 

Operating Specifications:

* Length and diameter were determined by a random sampling of cells, this table represents the largest measurements from this sampling.

Click here to download the full specification sheet.

Flashlight users, here is my latest report of light compatibility as reported by customers:

Reported compatible:

1. Arc LSHF-P
2. Fenix P1
3. Fenix P3D 
4. Fenix TK10
5. Inova T1, T2, X03, X5 and T3 w/3.2 watt LED
6. Insight (Streamlight) M3
7. Night Ops Gladius
8. Nuwai TM-301X-5
9. Peak Mckinley
10. Pelican M6 3 Watt
11. Surefire C2 Centurion
12. SureFire C3
13. Surefire KL3 (LED)
14. SureFire 6P (with multi clicks)
15. SureFire L1, L4,L5, L6
16. SureFire x200
17. SureFire E series with MN02 bulb
18. Streamlight (Insight) M3
19. Streamlight TwinTask 2L TT-2L
20. Streamlight TL-2
21. Vital Gear F2

Reported "semi" compatible:

1. Fenix P1D - very close, of four cells, some fit while others did not
2. Streamlight Scorpion -required multi switch tap to ignite, another user reported not firing the bulb at all even with multi tap.
3. SureFire G2 with multi click and then twist of cap
4. Surefire M3 with MN10 lamp/ multiple click required to ignite

Reported non compatible:

1. Fenix P2D - Tight fit and not compatible with all modes
2. Inova T5
3. Newest version Surefire L1 with TIR optic lens- Diameter of cell slightly too wide
4. SureFire L2- Diameter of cell slightly too wide
5. SureFire E2e with MN03 bulb, MN02 has been reported as compatible

To learn more about batteries, charging, and proper handling visit batteryuniversity.com

CR123 battery Also Known as:
RCR123, RCR123A, CR123A, 5018LC, DL123A, EL123AP, K123LA, EL123A, VL123, CR17345, LIR123, 16340

Commonly used in the Following Camera Models:

* Casio
* Kodak
* Minolta
* Olympus
* Sanyo
* Many more