Rechargeable CR123 batteries for R1C1 kit

[Pedro van den Acker]

I am looking for experiences with rechargeable CR123 batteries for my Nikon R1C1 kit (macro flash). Has someone experiences with the 3.6 volt capacity?

I've got 3.6 volt batteries but am not sure if I can use them in the SB800 and SB-R200 flashes because the normal CR123's are 3.0 Volt.

Thanks for your reply!

 

[tyoung]

I am looking for experiences with rechargeable CR123 batteries for my Nikon R1C1 kit (macro flash). Has someone experiences with the 3.6 volt capacity?

I've got 3.6 volt batteries but am not sure if I can use them in the SB800 and SB-R200 flashes because the normal CR123's are 3.0 Volt.

There have been a lot of complaints over most of the rechargeable CR-123 alternatives. Of those that do exist, the Delkins (3.15v ~ 3.25v) seem to be the best bet overall...

http://www.thomasdistributing.com/shop/delkin-devices-rcr123a-rechargeable-battery-battery-charger-setbrincludes-1-rcr123a-battery-rcr123a-rechargeable-liion-battery-rcr123a-battery-charger-from-delkin-devices-p-960.html?manufacturers_id=32&osCsid=a98rm8a91donrsllit8gi3gna7

Even still, these won't perform as well as the actual CR-123's. Often the best bet is to shop around online for the non-rechareables. The corner drugstores charge an arm and a leg for them but they can be found in bulk for around $2.00ea from many online shops.

--
'Here, look at the monkey. Look at the silly monkey!'

Tom Young
http://www.pbase.com/tyoung/

 

[Quantum Help]

First off - the SB800 uses 4 AA cells, not CR123's. Secondly, manufacturers usually recommend a certain type of battery for a reason. They know that what the recommended would work and not harm the unit. I did a google and there are companies that warn you that that rechargeable 3.6v would top off at 4.2 volts and that it is not recommended for fine electronics.

 

[tyoung]

First off - the SB800 uses 4 AA cells, not CR123's. Secondly, manufacturers usually recommend a certain type of battery for a reason. They know that what the recommended would work and not harm the unit. I did a google and there are companies that warn you that that rechargeable 3.6v would top off at 4.2 volts and that it is not recommended for fine electronics.

The R1C1 kit uses SB-R200's, which use one CR-123 non-recharegeable lithium each. Over the counter prices for these batteries are often as much as $8.00 to $10.00 each. Obviously at these prices, most anyone using them regularly is going to be looking for an alternative.

Early alternatives were pretty much of a sham for the most part. There are better alternatives available now but you're quite right that nothing will perform like the real thing (Even though batteries using the very same chemistry can perform extremely poorly in more powerful units such as the SB-800 under heavy use).

--
'Here, look at the monkey. Look at the silly monkey!'

Tom Young
http://www.pbase.com/tyoung/

 

[Pedro van den Acker]

Sorry, must be SU-800 (commander unit of the R1C1 set) which uses CR123.
Indeed the SB800 uses AA batteries, therefore I use rechargeables with succes.

 

[StillLearning]

I can only speak from my experience. Frankly I was disappointed when Nikon made the R1C1 system dependent on CR123 batteries. The normal cost would be around $5 but I did find them for just over $3 at Walmart. I've always been a proponent for rechargeables. I bought the Delkins through thomas distributing.

First it took about 5 to 6 hours to recharge one battery. No problem thats normal first time. Then I discovered that I only was getting about one third the flashes from my SB-200's I was getting from non-rechargeables. It still took the same time to recharge them. I figured okay so it will take 10 recharges to break even price wise. Then I started having problems with my SU-800. I normally use it to trigger my SB800's remotely. The sync started getting out of whack. It would fire the flash but the camera and falsh were out of sync. That's when I got my Voltometer and tested the battery. It showed it at 4.4 V after charging and the ones that I had been using in the SB-200's were both still over 4.1 v. I stopped using them in the SU-800 and SB-200's.

I figured the SU-800 was toast so I just stored it for a few months without a battery. I was planning on getting a new one but decided to try it again with a standard CR123. Wow it worked like it used to and hasn't given me any problems since. So the Delkins sit in my drawer until I can find a use for them. I still hope some day they can get it right with rechargeble CR123's. I wonder if the Tysonic's are any better?

--
http://www.pbase.com/stilllearning/inbox

 

[Darrelll]

--
On Feebay I've found rechargeable CR123's in 3.7v and 3.0v 1000mah.

A std CR123 is about 1500mah and 3.0v

I've been looking at the rechargeables for my Sekonic L358 light meter

Cheers,

Darrell