New Solarforce RCR123A Battery Test

Batteries and Chargers Rechargeable Batteries
1



These are the new RCR123A batteries from Solarforce ...
DIA = 16.7mm
Length = 36.1mm
Protection Circuit [ cuts in @ 3v to protect against over discharge ]


I was lucky to get my hands on some of the new Solarforce batteries . And I would like to thank http://www.solarforce.hk
for the opertunity to test the new cells . The first thing I wanted to test for was discharge levels , in other words
how well the cells are matched for discharge , and to say I was suprised is an understatement . The cells are very well
matched , and I find no fault in this regard . I tested at different levels and if they were not to close to call they
were the same [ results ] , for example , with the SSC P7 pill in the L2m , I got 2A even for the cells tested . This is
better than expected , considering the little RCR123A's would have been pushed very hard .

Testing the older Solarforce RCR123A resulted in 1.79A in the SSC P7
The AW RCR123A did 1.81A
And the new Solarforce RCR123A as mentioned did 2A even .

Now this runtime graph is going to look a little different , simply because Im using a single mode low voltage Solarforce
pill in my L2M [ 1 x CR123A with single mode XR-E R2 ] , which would be Buck Boost ... which hopefully explains the curve ..



Now termination came about from the protection circuit activating at 3v under load , all batteries tested , were terminated by the Protection circuit ...
And as can be seen , the new Solarforce RCR123A perform very well .
They performed well in discharge [ well matched ] , as well as capacity , and look to be a serious contender for your hard earned money .

Update

I put a cell through my [ new ] balance charger , Discharge rate was 0.5A and ended at 3v , resulting in some 721mA being discharged .

2

Wow , those looks very good!
Nice review, Thanks!
I hope the "consumer" also will be good. (The test version are sometimes better, as the final production)
I'm thinking, i will buy 4-6 from the 18650 V2, but i wait your review!
Can you tell us the physical dimensions? ("Important" data, for some flashlight)

3

I usually include DIA + Length ... Ive just started testing the 18650

DIA = 18.1mm

Length = 67.7mm , it will take a few days

4

ARGHHH... my older version just got delivered 4 days ago !!!.

2.0 amps for the new models, 1.79a for the older version. What does an extra .21 amps (10 percent more) mean for my Solarforce XP-G bulb ?, will it give my 320 lumens bulb another 32 lumens ?

5

Just depends ... Higher current usually means more output , but less run time ..

These new cells , offer both , better discharge , and improved capacity .. But check out to make sure they fit , as they are on the long side ... [ New cells ]

6

they fit, will be using on solarforce L2p

7

where are you guys buying these cell

i have just spent 2 hours trolling all the usual HK dealers i cant find them on any of the sites

Barrie

8

SolarForce Retail & Dealers here.

Check SFS/ITC web pages and also @ ebay

9

Thanks SashiX

i have looked at the dealer links but shipping costs kill the deal there was nothing on E-bay when i chacked i was hoping one of our dealers in HK with free shipping had them

thanks for your time

Barrie

EDIT - the E-bay link you gave dose have them

Cheers Barrie

10

These look great! Thanks for the test.

How can I tell new from old? That ebay shop has ones that look different, with black text...

11

DoH stuped me

read the small print i did not

just bought 3 cells i thought were free shipping at $3.90 each

only free shipping in the US $6 per item to me and i am commited to buy

we live we learn

12

Old cells were white with black print .. New cells are blue and white as pictured ...

I looked yesterday . and could not see any of the new ones for sale ..

Saw them before new years , but not ATM ...

13

I'd send them an email asking them to combine the shipping cost as obviously $18 is madness. They should just charge you the $6 even that seem a little over the top.

14

Hi pook

i have done that and complanad that his ad was misleading as it says free shipping but dosnot say to the US only in the main ad

and said i would like to cancil the order got a reply today offering free shipping if i would buy so a good result and deal done somtimes it pays to question things

15

Ahh good, good. It was possibly just a mistake on the listing, I know things can get complicated if you're listing in multiple eBay domains.

16

You guys are not going to like this ...

I put the Solarforce V2 RCR123A through the Imax B6 @ 0.5A and some 721mA was discharged to 3v

17

is that bad sorry for my ignorance

even at 721mA it going to be a lot better than the crappy 3v batts i have

18

Thats good , especially considering everyone exaggerates capacity ..

Or maybe the parameters are different , like the cells are discharged to 2.5v or something ? Anyhow , 721mAh is very good .

What I meant by people not liking it , was , ATM , these cells are a little bit hard to find ...

19

that's good to hear i never believe what is claimed very few manufacturers tell the truth regardless of what thay make cars- motorcycles -lights- Batts

or anything else most of there power claims are exaggerated

20

Thanks old! It looks like my next RCR123A puchase will be from Solarforce.