......However it's OK on 3.0v RCRs - my question is can I get some 3v RCR123s (probably will get some Soshine ones
Hi Sammy. While Jan is more or less correct, no, you cannot charge "3 Volt" RCR123 cells with the Pila. Specifically, concerning the Soshine cells you mentioned however, the problem would be that the cells would only be about half charged.
The Soshine "3 Volt" cells, are actually regular 4.2 Volt LiCo cells with two diodes incorporated under the positive nipple of the cell. One of the diodes effectively reduces the voltage of the cell when under load to ~3 volts (in most cases, under most current loads, the voltage is actually higher than this), the other diode allows the cell to be charged (diodes only allow the flow of current in one direction). The effect of the charging diode is that the voltage required to charge the 4.2 Volt cell behind the diode must be higher (more or less, the opposite effect of the diode used to lower the voltage of the cell under load).
So anyway, to charge a "3 volt" LiCo cell to its proper voltage, the charging voltage must be in the 4.4-4.5 Volt range. This is why this specific type of cell requires a special charger that
must only be used for these cells and no others!
LiFePO
4 cells, are a different story, as they also require a different charger than the "3 Volt" LiCo cells. The Pila would be hard on these cells, as they would be grossly overcharged, as Jan pointed out.
If you do a "CPF only" Google search with something like "3 Volt LiCo cells", you will find more info here on the Forum.
Also, personally, I would choose to run LiFePO
4 cells in your E1B. They may have a bit less capacity, but are easier to deal with, in my experience. I am replacing all of my "3 Volt" LiCo cells that I use for 3 Volt applications, with LiFePO
4 cells.
Dave
noticed there was a soshine charger too which i think is compatible or the ultrafire wf-188 charger which has a 3.2/3.7v voltage switch. Which would be better for the 3v cells?
