hello everyone,…
is it a must the elzetta bravo must use an RCR 123A?.
i see IMR, ICR , but elzetta mention RCR.
I’m using lithuim currently.
im also looking out for some rechargeable’s RCR then.
UK.
thanks.
RCR123A is the size and type of cell, but RCR doesn’t mean anything on its own. The first “R” means “rechargeable”, so it is a rechargeable CR123A cell. In other words, it is simply a 16340 Li-Ion cell, which will charge up to 4.2V max. A non-rechargeable CR123A cell is 3.0V. Most of the websites where we buy our flashlights, if not all of them, have both of those types of cells for sale.
Edit: I just looked up elzetta bravo online, and found that Amazon.com has them for sale. The listing there says that 2X CR123A cells are required.
The following is from the Elzetta website:
- Will an Elzetta Tactical LED Flashlight run on rechargeable RCR123 batteries?
- 2-Cell Models may be operated on RCR123 batteries for non-critical applications,
- but 3-Cell Models should not use these batteries under any circumstances.
So if you have a 2 cell light you can safely use RCR123A’s or 16340’s (IMR or ICR etc)
Thanks and what’s best for say more brightness than runtime?.
ICR IMR ?.
550 650 750 mAh?
thanks lots!.
Most likely IMR but there are high drain ICR’s as well. For comparisons have a look at Battery test-review small summary
Thnaks, with IMR, would the brightness in the light decrease or would it just go off when it’s reached a certain point?.
I don’t want to be left in the dark and some warning sign would be good.
That will depend on how the light is regulated not on the type of battery.
A non-regulated light will just get progressively dimmer (from when it is switched on) over time until it eventually gives up the ghost when it is very very dim.
Some regulated lights will maintain a constant full brightness for a certain period then drop down to dimmer levels over time. Others will maintain a constant full brightness for a longer period than the previous example but then just quit, leaving you in the dark.
Thanks,
I see online some red and white IMR efest 550mah and some keeppower 16340 ICR 700mah.
Someone even mentioned purple efest.
what’s to do?.
What’s best?.
Does IMR do better in brightness than ICR cells?.
I’m after more brightness than runtime.
Thanks.
IMR should do better than ICR, if your flashlight driver allows. If the regulated current of the driver is within range of what the ICR can give, there will be no advantage to using IMR’s in that light.
Best depends on use. We tend to prefer IMR cells for high drain use but they typically have less capacity. Higher capacity cells generally
have more internal resistance so best to use them at lower current where the voltage drop from that internal resistance doesn’t end up costing you the extra run time you bought them for.
You don’t need the best, nobody really does. It’s only a battery and unless everytime you use it, you are measuring it’s performance, “best” really doesn’t matter.
All people need is something good or suitable for their application.
As for IMR vs ICR.
IMR’s generally have a higher discharge rate, i.e. can allow more amps.
But usually at the cost of capacity.
This doesn’t mean your light will be brighter though. As it depends how many amps it pulls on high. If the amp draw is within the performance range of an ICR, then you’ll see no gain in max output.
Some drivers also have a direct drive mode for max/turbo output. Such drivers will be brighter with an IMR due to the higher amp draw ability.
I don’t know enough about your torch to say if either of these things are true or not for it.
However, I think it’s fair to point out. That in most cases an IMR will offer more sustained brightness. Due to the higher amp draw ability, it’ll have a higher voltage under load for longer. Meaning you’ll get a more stable output from it. But this comes at the cost of a lower total runtime.
When buying batteries, don’t be baffled by the BS you might have read over at CPF. Spending lots of money or paying extra for a label they deem the one to have, does not mean you will get the best batteries.
If you want to compare which batteries to get, have a look here:
http://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/CommonSmallIndividualTest%20UK.html
As for places to buy. As I said in my earlier post to you. I’d personally opt to buy from ebay (just check a few listings to make sure you are happy they aren’t selling fakes). And buy some Efest 16340’s.
My preference is for IMR cells. As I generally find they perform better overall. I also find that ICR protected cells in small lights often trip the protection circuit leaving you with a dead light. An IMR will just dim not turn off.
Other places you might want to consider in the UK are LEDfiretorches. They sell AW batteries. But even including their CPF discount code, when you add postage you’ll end up paying more than just getting Efest’s off of ebay.
Both the purple and the red Efests are great IMO.