A respected member of the Lithium rechargeable battery family is the RCR123 cell.
RCR refers to “rechargeable”. If the 123 portion of its name sounds familiar, that’s because it’s a cousin to the disposable variety; the CR123/CR123A, commonly found in retail stores and a former staple of 35mm cameras. Also referred to as “16340″ an RCR123, is identical in size to its non-rechargeable relative. 16340 gets its name from its size … meaning 16mm x 34mm. The zero refers to its cylindrical shape.
RCR123 Lithium batteries are normally 3.7 volts. As with all Lithium-ion cells, their capacity is advertised in “mAh” (milliamp hours). You’re likely to see typical mAh capacities topping at 750. This varies to some degree though since some manufacturers will market their cells anywhere between 750 and 900 mAh. It is believed by those who’ve conducted tests with various cells, that a rated capacity above 750 is often artificially inflated. In other words; the cells claiming an unusually high capacity, often performed no better than those marketed with the 750 minimum.
When comparing an RCR123 with a CR123 — regarding available power, the disposable will win, since their mAh is typically at about 1400. BUT, that’s all it’s got! At least with the RCR, once it’s drained, a simple recharge will get it humming again. Keep in mind that for safety concerns most RCR123′s you purchase will be protected with a special chip that prevents it from damage should it experience an over-discharge.
Today’s LED flashlights offer their superb performance, in part, to the usage of either one or two RCR123 batteries. When paired together, it’s a win-win combination!
YOU CAN CHECK OUT RCR CELLS IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT BY CLICKING HERE!
