I got the 6 cells yesterday (not slow shipping, just subscribe and save). Interestingly, one of the cells was taped into the remaining 5 cells in the shrink wrap. All 5 cells were completely inside, one end cell may have been removed and put back, then tape applied? Not sure. I considered returning them as “not new”, but it seemed like a bit of work for a $5 item that’s likely fine.
I say likely fine as I measured the cells through the shrink wrap with sharp probes. They all measured 3.26V or higher. Seemed reasonable to me.
So a ran one in my Jetbeam Raptor RRT-01 with a current probe in series. Decided to shoot for about 0.3A of draw, as its a reasonable compromise between lower current (how I generally use lights) and not taking forever. 2 hours into the test and the cell is performing as one would expect, after an initial drop the voltage is flat. I can’t actually measured the cell voltage, just the current. But early in the test the current kept creeping up as I imagined the light is trying to maintain a fixed lumen output while the cell voltage droops.
I don’t have calibrated current meter, and of course my two meters don’t measure the same current. I picked the one that I believe would have the lower voltage drop, which is the one that measured a bit higher than the other.
Certainly no bonus points yet, but the cell has produced 600mA-Hr thus far. The end of test voltage is 1V, based on the way that HKJ tests them.
Assuming the cells produce 1200mA-Hr or more I would consider them a great deal for CR123A at a buck a cell.
EDIT: I’m impressed. While I’m not sure how accurate my current meter is (guessing it’s a bit on the high side) the cell powered by Raptor for over 5 hours at current between 0.3 and 0.44 A. I adjusted the current down towards the end of the test to try and keep it closer to 0.3A. If you looked at HJK’s test, you can see the voltage falls off fast at the end of life. And since it appears the Raptor continues to try to maintain intensity the current creeps up pretty quick. Like from 0.3 to 0.44A in 9 minutes towards the end of life. A bit after 5 hours, it appeared the light came out of regulation, as current began to decrease instead of increase.
I stopped testing after I got to a capacity of 1760mA hr. The cells claim to be 1600 mA-Hr, if my meter is 10% high then I would be measuring that capacity. The cell was still producing light at 0.15A, and would go a bit higher before the light would start flashing quickly. I was just over continuing the test, I convinced myself the cells are of good quality. BTW, the cell measured 0.8V when I measured it after disconnecting it from the circuit, so for sure the test is done. Nice cell!