Warning about CR123

[rangedunits]

It seem that a single cr123 cannot produce enough current for over 500mW.

;(

 

[yobresal]

It is true that a single CR123A battery used with the Flex or microboost will limit the amount of output you can achieve with the 445nm diode. Mine is happy at 660mW though. I was able to hit 800mW but that was only for a brief moment before the driver began to pulse the laser due to the battery. 18650 are the way to go.

 

[SpyderFire]

I have and currently run CR123 , rechargeable batteries up to 800mA without issue.

The ones that seem to be nice and strong are these

DealExtreme: $5.40 TrustFire Protected 16340 880mAh 3.7V Rechargeable Li-Ion Batteries (2-Pack)

 

[Xplorer877]

You can't generalize it and say that all CR123A batteries cannot supply the wattage for higher outputs. It all depends on the battery. Compared to flashlights, most handheld lasers consume far less power than some of the powerful LED and Xenon lights. The guys over at CPF have been pushing batteries to their limits far more than we have with lasers.

Consider this:
123 Battery Shoot Out - CandlePowerForums

It is true that a single CR123A battery used with the Flex or microboost will limit the amount of output you can achieve with the 445nm diode. Mine is happy at 660mW though. I was able to hit 800mW but that was only for a brief moment before the driver began to pulse the laser due to the battery. 18650 are the way to go.

What battery and currents are you running to get 660mW Yobresal?
I think I'm gonna run mine at 650mA to get between 500 and 600mW.
These are the cells I'm planning on using.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3204

-Tony

 

[yobresal]

You can't generalize it and say that all CR123A batteries cannot supply the wattage for higher outputs. It all depends on the battery. Compared to flashlights, most handheld lasers consume far less power than some of the powerful LED and Xenon lights....

...What battery and currents are you running to get 660mW Yobresal?
I think I'm gonna run mine at 650mA to get between 500 and 600mW.
These are the cells I'm planning on using.
DealExtreme: $3.19 Ultrafire LC 16340 3.6V 1000mAh Protected CR123A Battery

-Tony

I am using DealExtreme: $5.08 Ultrafire 3.6V 880mAh LC 16340 Protected CR123A Battery 2-Pack I also have the blue ones that you linked. I have found the ones that I linked to be superior although the blue ones work too. I have a different set that I received with another laser and they both suck and will not get the laser past 300mW.

 

[Xplorer877]

I am using DealExtreme: $5.08 Ultrafire 3.6V 880mAh LC 16340 Protected CR123A Battery 2-Pack I also have the blue ones that you linked. I have found the ones that I linked to be superior although the blue ones work too. I have a different set that I received with another laser and they both suck and will not get the laser past 300mW.

Awesome! I have those too. I use two of them for my 660nm LOC build.
Thanks.

-Tony

 

[kingdave2357]

You can get better ones from ebay cheap, and maybee lighthound has them too, not sure. But get ones that are rated at 3.7v and at least 1000mAh capacity or 1300mAh but they are more $$

EDIT: Oops, lighthound doesnt have em, but ebay does...

 

[rangedunits]

It would be wise to state if you use a glass lense...

 

[ReNNo]

But we can use new 18350 batteries that are much better.
And size is still acceptable.

 

[Asherz]

If your using two CR123A's that should be fine for the higher currents shouldn't it? Probably going to pull the PHR outta my MXDL jayrob host and put it in there.

 

[rangedunits]

Its just a warning for those who intented to use a dorcy jr, like i.

 

[Xplorer877]

If your using two CR123A's that should be fine for the higher currents shouldn't it? Probably going to pull the PHR outta my MXDL jayrob host and put it in there.

As batteries supply higher currents they struggle to keep the voltage up. So yes if you have two of them you may still be in the range needed for the driver. However, 2 CR123A cells is too much for a boost drive and not enough for a linear driver.

-Tony

 

[kingdave2357]

Im using a pocket mini single cell, with a 3.7v 1300mAh RCR123

 

[dbvanhorn]

Two years ago, I was working on a project that needed three 123A cells, at drains of 0.7 - 2.2A. I tested a bunch of brands, and the Titanium cells were significantly better than anything else. Sanyo was junk, and the rest were somewhere inbetween. Good cells definitely will sustain 2A+ for significant times. In my case, I simply ran them to exhaustion, as our device was designed to be turned on, then used till the cells gave out.

 

[Asherz]

As batteries supply higher currents they struggle to keep the voltage up. So yes if you have two of them you may still be in the range needed for the driver. However, 2 CR123A cells is too much for a boost drive and not enough for a linear driver.

-Tony

Sorry it was late, just realised what I posted this morning, "wait, two CR's would be 8V peak, that would destroy the flex" lol.

Guess I'll just have to keep the 123a's charged all the time.

 

[dbvanhorn]

Ah Rechargables would be different. I was testing primary cells. Then again, the titanium cells are <$1/ea so maybe that helps?