Versions of the RCR123A batteries

[DonDaBoomVape]

[If you just want to see my question, skip the first 4 paragraphs.]

Well ... I finally broke down (and broke a portion of our meager bank account) and ordered the Prodigy V1 (Pen).

Last week I had compromised by ordering the Puresmoker passthrough. But the PT really wouldn't help me outside the house (and I've got some business travel coming up) ... and my existing 801 attys and batts have been dying, so I would have had to order more of those anyway (which didn't make sense, at least the 801 batteries). Then my wife (one of the many reasons I love her) pointed out that during a Florida hurricane multi-day/week power outage, my PT would be useless.8-o So we agreed: Go for it!

It will come as no surprise to anyone here that Casey was very helpful in cancelling the PT order and substituting the Prodigy order. [I just asked for her help with the cancellation part. She went ahead and did both.]

The Prodigy package includes 4 batts, of course. But thinking ahead (it is hurricane season), I've started looking into purchasing extra batteries at cheaper-than-Steve prices.

I notice that batteryjunction, for example, sells not only the "Tenergy LIFEPO4 RCR123a 3.0v 750mAh rechargeable battery", but also the "Tenergy RCR123a 3.0v 900mAh rechargeable Li-Ion battery" for about 1/3 more in price.

Based on my extremely limited knowledge of things electrical (all of which I've learned in ECF), 900mAh > 750mAh means they will last longer, right? [BTW, is mAh related to total battery life or time between recharges?]

The same brand, the same model number, the same voltage. Can these batteries (or any other versions) be used effectively in the Prodigy?

Thanks!

 

[ruuku]

Depends on how you read "total battery life" This is pretty vague as batteries go.
LiPo (Lithium Polymer) has a much higher cycle life than LiIon(Lithium Ion) (I believe LiPos have a 2000 cell cycle life versus the 200-250 cycle LiIon). Mah is an abbreviation for MilliAmpHours, or rather the capacity of the battery. The bigger amount, the longer discharge (vape time) you will get. I would suggest checking on PS subforum, there have been issues with certain non-PS standard (the ones that did not come with the Prodigy) LiIon batteries not working.

Basically
900mah LiIon +longer runtime, -cell life
750mah LiPo -shorter runtime, +cell life


I'm also not too sure if you can use the LiIons in the LiPo charger, but I'm pretty sure you can't charge LiPos in a LiIon charger.

[EDIT]
Oh, and be sure you're ordering 123a. A similar cell, 16340 has the same dimensions (I know...i know... they not EXACTLY the same, but...well... close enough) has a maximum voltage of ~4.2V. Steve has said even with the resistor (electrical do-hickey that reduces current) your still going to be getting about 6.5V, enough to make for a very bad tasting vape.

 

[Surf Monkey]

When I ordered extra batteries I just got the exact same ones PS is selling with the unit. Better safe than sorry. I got six extra cells and a spare charger.

 

[wv2win]

NO, NO, NO. It should work that way and I believe would work that way with any other PV. But for some reason with the Prodigy, the 900 mAh batteries last for all of 2 minutes. Don't waste your money. For some reason, the batteries provided are the only ones that will work properly with the Prodigy. No one can ADEQUATELY explain the reason for this.

I would suggest just getting the same ones and I would also suggest getting a second charger because chargers do go bad. Check this deal out:

Rechargeable Batteries & Battery Chargers - 6 RCR123A 3.0V 750mAh LiFePO4 Rechargeable Batteries with a Smart Charger -Specials

 

[Surf Monkey]

Check this deal out:

Rechargeable Batteries & Battery Chargers - 6 RCR123A 3.0V 750mAh LiFePO4 Rechargeable Batteries with a Smart Charger -Specials

That's the exact same one I got. Note that there's a 5% off coupon floating around the Web for All-Battery.com. Apply that and get it for even less.

 

[Momof3]

tenergy2008 will give you free shipping or battery12 gives you 12% off. I've been looking at flashlights, but haven't ordered from there. Codes are good though.

 

[SharonLM]

tenergy2008 will give you free shipping or battery12 gives you 12% off. I've been looking at flashlights, but haven't ordered from there. Codes are good though.

Mom, can you post the link? Thanks!!

 

[Surf Monkey]

tenergy2008 will give you free shipping or battery12 gives you 12% off. I've been looking at flashlights, but haven't ordered from there. Codes are good though.

Oops. Yeah, 12% is what I used, not 5%. My mistake. Thanks for clearing it up.

 

[Zofryer]

I got the exact same batteries and charger also. I wasn't going to chance some weird rare incompatibility for another few mAH, and looking at wv2win's posting, it's a good thing I didn't tempt fate.

 

[SharonLM]

Oops. Yeah, 12% is what I used, not 5%. My mistake. Thanks for clearing it up.

Surf Monkey, is it the same link as above? I think it was 6 batteries and a charger for $26.something. Is that $26 the price WITH the 12% off?

 

[Momof3]

I would suggest just getting the same ones and I would also suggest getting a second charger because chargers do go bad. Check this deal out:

Rechargeable Batteries & Battery Chargers - 6 RCR123A 3.0V 750mAh LiFePO4 Rechargeable Batteries with a Smart Charger -Specials

Sharon-Coupon codes are for the link already posted. Free ship code is for $25 or more purchase and the other for 12% off. Don't know if they can be stacked, but the ship to me is like $11 so that's what I would have gone with for me as the better deal.

If you have firefox you can get the keepcash add on and it pops up when you visit a site with coupon codes listed with them. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5214

 

[ruuku]

NO, NO, NO. It should work that way and I believe would work that way with any other PV. But for some reason with the Prodigy, the 900 mAh batteries last for all of 2 minutes. Don't waste your money. For some reason, the batteries provided are the only ones that will work properly with the Prodigy. No one can ADEQUATELY explain the reason for this.http://www.all-battery.com/6rcr123a...eablebatterieswithasmartcharger-specials.aspx

I was looking for the thread containing wv2win's post but could not find it anywhere...the PS Subforum has simply e x p l o d e d since the release of the PD!

Huge thanks to Momof3 for posting the coupon... all-battery.com wanted 19.70 for shipping8-o!
And unfortunately All-Battery.com thinks Hawaii is no longer part of the USA... looking elsewhere for the LiFePO4s but even with the 19.70 shipping this still seems like the best price .
[EDIT] wv2win were you the one that OP'ed the Battery Compatibility Thread?

 

[DonDaBoomVape]

Thank you *all* for such prompt and useful advice and leads! Looks like others here have benefited from your wisdom as well.

I now know what to get (including extra charger), where to get it from, and how to avoid shipping costs. Ain't ECF grand! Ask and it shall be given. My next request is for $1 million (in small denominations only, please.

 

[SharonLM]

Thanks Mom!!

 

[Momof3]

YW

I like to shop around online, but battery shopping just wasn't as much fun so I just upped to a full kit and said forget it.

Looking for a flashlight to use the 18650s in I had bought, well that didn't hold much appeal to me either.

Good thing I'll be able to get the other PD switch. Gonna reserve extra attys and batts to round out my orders for free shipping.

 

[Gibby]

I do know that in a pinch, the 1 use energizer E2 123's worked. I was pleasently surprised.

Edited to say. You can find those at most Best Buy's.

 

[vaporize me]

I've been having success with rcr123a 3v 1000mah battery. Unfortunately, they are not protected, so I am a bit paranoid about them blowing up. You can get them on ebay..a set of 4 and a charger for about $12. Hope this helps.

 

[Yirabeth]

Sharon-Coupon codes are for the link already posted. Free ship code is for $25 or more purchase and the other for 12% off. Don't know if they can be stacked, but the ship to me is like $11 so that's what I would have gone with for me as the better deal.

I can verify they do NOT stack -- and it's done rather sneakily so buyer beware.

I tried stacking them, they seemed to work fine. Checked my cart each step of the way during "checkout" to make sure they still stacked. All looked well. Then, after you click the final "Pay" button, they hit you with the whammy -- the shipping charge is added on to the tune of just under $12 and you get to keep the measly $3 off.

Sent an email asking what happened, and could we fix it, was told sorry, only one discount per order (fair enough, although they should have stated such before hitting the final pay button) Sent email requesting the shipping charge free over the discount, my reply was a shipping notice of the more expensive shipping.

So the product may be great, not sure on that yet, but I already feel cheated.../sigh

~Yira

 

[Sar]

I know that the 900 mAh bats do not last as long as the 750 mAh batts that ship with Prodigy. But what about higher mAh non-rechargeable?

I wanted few spare ones for travel and bought few non-rechargeables that is also Tannery brand as the one from Puresmoker. They are listed as having PTC protection to prevent excessive discharge, 10-year shelf life with minimal discharge, 3v, 1400 mAh. The price is little bit over $1, depending on how many you buy:

Rechargeable Batteries & Battery Chargers - Tenergy CR123A Lithium Photo Battery Propel with PTC Protected

Would these last twice as long as the 750 mAh shipped with Prodigy?

 

[StratOvation]

Would these last twice as long as the 750 mAh shipped with Prodigy?

Not quite TWICE as long... but very close