I'm trying to find both. The only charger I can find is a relatively cheap looking tenergy model, that only has one monitoring led that is for both banks. It is also stated that the charger can only be used with the tenergy batts. Is there a better charger out there that will charge the 3.0v rcr123as and that will charge batteries not made by tenergy, such as the ones from madvapes? Links would be great if you have them. Trying to round up some stuff before ordering my silver bullet.
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Well, I went to Deal Extreme and found this one which has a switch to charge either 3.0 or 3.6 volts. I don't know if you've ever bought from them (direct from China) but it takes about 10 days to get it and shipping is always free.
Sounds like your are in the same boat I was in a little while ago with my RCR2/15270 3 volt batteries.
So I decided to do some battery research. It turns out that all 3 volt rechargable batteries are Li-Ion unless it says that it is a LiFePO4 battery. LiFePO4 batterys are made with a different chemistry and must be charged on chargers that are made for LiFePO4 batteries because they are true 3 volt cells with a maximum charge of 3.6 volts. While, Li-Ion batteries which are usually a LiCoO2 have a normal voltage of 3.7 volts and a maximum of 4.2 volts.
**battery terminology - Primary battery means that it is nonrechargable [an alkaline AA battery is a primary battery] and secondary battery means that it is rechargable [NiMH, NiCd, Lead acid, Li-ion are all seconday batteries].**
Li-Ion manufacturers wanted to sell a secondary battery that could be used instead of lithium primary batteries like the CR2 or the CR123 that you find in stores. The Lithium primary batteries are made of LiMnO2 and cannot be recharged and have a normal operating voltage of 3.0 volts. So manufacturers use a trick of electronics to make a 3.7 volt Li-Ion cell work at 3.0 volt by putting a diode with a specific voltage drop of 0.7 volts in series with the battery. What that means that the diode uses up 0.7 volts of the battery which means 3.7 volts minus 0.7 volts equals 3.0 volts.
So unless you bought some LiFePO4, the AG-126 or the TR-001 are perfectly fine chargers to use to recharge your RCR123a/16340 3 volt batteries. So long that they are protected. I wouldn't suggest using any unprotected Li-Ion battery, because I just don't like the possibility of an exploding battery (mainly in the face).
Fun Fact
Actually those chargers can only charge those batteries to 90%-95% full charge bacause along with the 0.7 volt diode they have to put another diode facing the other way so that the battery can be recharged.(Diodes act like a one way street for eletricity) All Diodes have a voltage drop and the recharging diode has a lower voltage drop closer to 0.2 volts. So the Li-Ion cell can only be charged to 4.0 volts. You wont find any chargers designed specifically for RCR123a Li-Ion 3 volt batteries because a regular Li-Ion chargers works perfically fine.
So I decided to do some battery research. It turns out that all 3 volt rechargable batteries are Li-Ion unless it says that it is a LiFePO4 battery. LiFePO4 batterys are made with a different chemistry and must be charged on chargers that are made for LiFePO4 batteries because they are true 3 volt cells with a maximum charge of 3.6 volts. While, Li-Ion batteries which are usually a LiCoO2 have a normal voltage of 3.7 volts and a maximum of 4.2 volts.
**battery terminology - Primary battery means that it is nonrechargable [an alkaline AA battery is a primary battery] and secondary battery means that it is rechargable [NiMH, NiCd, Lead acid, Li-ion are all seconday batteries].**
Li-Ion manufacturers wanted to sell a secondary battery that could be used instead of lithium primary batteries like the CR2 or the CR123 that you find in stores. The Lithium primary batteries are made of LiMnO2 and cannot be recharged and have a normal operating voltage of 3.0 volts. So manufacturers use a trick of electronics to make a 3.7 volt Li-Ion cell work at 3.0 volt by putting a diode with a specific voltage drop of 0.7 volts in series with the battery. What that means that the diode uses up 0.7 volts of the battery which means 3.7 volts minus 0.7 volts equals 3.0 volts.
So unless you bought some LiFePO4, the AG-126 or the TR-001 are perfectly fine chargers to use to recharge your RCR123a/16340 3 volt batteries. So long that they are protected. I wouldn't suggest using any unprotected Li-Ion battery, because I just don't like the possibility of an exploding battery (mainly in the face).
Fun Fact
Actually those chargers can only charge those batteries to 90%-95% full charge bacause along with the 0.7 volt diode they have to put another diode facing the other way so that the battery can be recharged.(Diodes act like a one way street for eletricity) All Diodes have a voltage drop and the recharging diode has a lower voltage drop closer to 0.2 volts. So the Li-Ion cell can only be charged to 4.0 volts. You wont find any chargers designed specifically for RCR123a Li-Ion 3 volt batteries because a regular Li-Ion chargers works perfically fine.
so you're saying i should not charge a lifepo4 on a li-ion charger?
I would not recommend it unless your charger has a 3 volt setting that you can switch it to.
What I mean by "a charger made for LiFePO4 batteries" is the 3 volt settings on some chargers is made for the LiFePO4 batteries. While the 3.6/3.7 volt setting is made for Li-Ion batteries
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Yep, madvapes only sells Li-Ion batteries, and that charger can charge any of his batteries on the 3.6v setting; it even has a 3.0 volt setting for LiFePO4 batteries. You could charge those batteries on the 3.0 volt setting but it will only charge the Li-Ion cells to 3.6 volts or about 85% full of the 4.2 volt full charge
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No, I am not saying that you should charge them at 3.6v setting. I'm just saying that the info that I found on the 3.0v Li-Ion batteries says that they are normal Li-Ion batteries with a diode to step down the voltage.
All I am saying is that I am able to charge my 15270/CR2 3v batteries from madvapes with the TR-001 and AG-120(older model of AG-126) both from madvapes and they output 4.2v
Honestly, if my chargers had a 3v setting I would use that just because lithium is such a scary metal.
Everytime I need CR123's 3.0v I purchase this kit so I gain an extra smart charger in the process. 6 batts and a charger 26 bux.
Some people like em, some don't. I have most excellent experiences with these batts.
Rechargeable Batteries & Battery Chargers - 6 RCR123A 3.0V 750mAh LiFePO4 Rechargeable Batteries with a Smart Charger -Specials
Coupon Code: tenergydeals for free shipping. At least I think that's it.
Some people like em, some don't. I have most excellent experiences with these batts.
Rechargeable Batteries & Battery Chargers - 6 RCR123A 3.0V 750mAh LiFePO4 Rechargeable Batteries with a Smart Charger -Specials
Coupon Code: tenergydeals for free shipping. At least I think that's it.
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This is exactly what I got for my V3 prodigy and it ROX!! How can you go wrong??? 6 LiPo4 batts and charger for $26 shipped!!!
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