Rechargeable CR123

[Merle bleu]

Hi,
By reading various threads, one realises that the infamous CR123 are a major annoyance for many.
Most of the time I use my Nikon SB-25 on the S2. But some times one gets caught without the cobra flash on the camera. I take pictures of birds with long AF zooms and the added power of the CR123 is helpful.
Let me humbly submit my solution.
I ordered some rechargeable:
Product ID: 149, Model: TY-1/5A-400, Price: $ 3.27 $US.
from Battery World Center
http://www.batteryworldcenter.com/
They are half height 1.2V, 400 MaH, NiMh, with the exact same diameter as CR123s.

Stack two of these and you get one 2.4V, 400MaH CR123. Actually the voltage reads 1.33V X 2 = 2.66V when freshly charged.
The pictures attached show the dimensions compared to Lithium CR123, how they fit inside the S2Pro (one is remove to show the sensor) and my super elegant charger Beta version.
Because the "+" tip is short compare to a CR123, you have to solder a drop of lead solder on the tip of the ONE battery that fits upside down in the bottom of the batteries compartiment.
So far I have taken over 100 pictures, half of them with the built-in flash and the battery indicator shows full.
I will keep track of how many shots I can take and will keep this thread informed.

[pauly99]

Please keep us informed. I'm ASSuming that at the rated voltage
and the voltage that you have provided that no damage will result
to the camera? It surely looks (if it works well and with no damage)
like a great opportunity to get the most of the autofocus system.
Although an appreciable increase in speed probably cannot be seen,
any chance to take more pics without the hassle (coming from a sports
photographer perspective) of missing a shot or two may sure be worth
you find!!!

[Merle bleu]

Please keep us informed. I'm ASSuming that at the rated voltage
!

Hi,
I have taken over 500 pictures since last posting; (that's not much, but I will increase that a lot during my coming vacations in August).
The 400MaH rechargeable NiMh CR123 do not last as long as the real Lithium ones but they are helpful when one needs to use the built-in flash. As far as improving the autofocus speed, I must admit that I have not done any timing tests.

So far I would not recommend them for a professionnal use because one cannot get the 1000 shots that real Lithium CR123 are supposed to yield. Also, one cannot replace quickly delete batteries; remember that there are four tiny cells that you don't want to throw away and that the fourth one does not fall out by itself because of the sensing lever; it has to be pulled out from the camera using a finger that fits inside the compartiment.
That a lot of handling in a rush situation.

But, for the cost conciensious owner, they will save a lot of money on the long run. I carry 4 spare ones with me in case the ones on the camera die on me. The battery status indicator shows half worn batteries quite soon after recharged ones are installed; that normal because the total voltage is 2.66V x 2 instead of 3V x 2.
If they seem to quit early, check the full charged voltage of each of the 4 cells, one may be weaker than the rest and that brings down the operating voltage under the cutoff limit of the camera.
I bought 10 of those Tysonic 1/5A-400; then I have 2 spare ones in case the above problem arises.

I have improve the Beta version of my charger. The metal connectors are now permanently mounted on the alligators clips and flat sliding connectors are installed at the charger output.
To prevent a short circuit in the event that an alligator clip would slip off a battery and close, I slide a 35mm film can over the alligator clip to prevent it from closing completly.

My "Doc Octopus" charger (I hope SonyPictures won't sue me for this...) is a AA/AAA/9V 15 hours charger with a 150MaH output. Therefore, the 400 MaH cells are charged after 3 hours. I have left them a full 15 hours on the charger and they never got hot; a electronic technician friend told me that the cells can't get hurt because the charge trickles after they reach their full charged capacity. I agree that this is not a very portable charger to carry in your camera bag. :o

Hope this help, Claude M.

[easternherp]

Here is a link to rechargeable cr123s and charger.
http://www.2cr5.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Shopping_Rechargeable_CR123A_Batteries_and_ Chargers_2.html