CR123A 3V lithium battery

Li-Ion or Lithium batteries are one of the most common batteries used today.
We can find this type of battery in mobile phones, wireless headphones, UPS, smartwatches, cars, etc.

Lithium is a very light metal capable of generating ions easily, making it ideal for the manufacture of batteries.

Unlike other types of batteries, they are a bit more expensive, but in return, they are much smaller and lighter, capable of doubling the duration of a Ni-Cd battery.

Thanks to their composition, they can be manufactured in different shapes, adapting to the device where they are to be located, and their low memory effect makes them ideal for any type of device.

Summarizing their positive points:

• Easy to find
• Many different sizes and shapes
• Small size
• Lightweight
• Capable of accumulating more charge
• Less memory effect
• Long lasting
• Low self-discharge rate.

These batteries also have their negative points, namely:

• Lifespan of about 3 years.
• Limited number of charges, between 300 and 1000.
• They are more expensive.
• They can overheat to the point of exploding.
• Poorer performance in cold conditions.
• Highly variable voltage.

Within lithium batteries, we can find 3 types:

• Lithium-ion polymer batteries.
• Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4).
• Olivine-type lithium iron phosphate batteries.

BATTERY TYPE	NI-CD	NI-MH	LI-ION	LI-PO
Charging time	10 to 14 hours	2 to 4 hours	2 to 4 hours	1 to 1.5 hours
Discharge time/month	30.00 %	20.00 %	6.00 %	6.00 %
Number of recharges	approx. 500	approx. 1000	approx. 4000	approx. 5000
Discharge	Necessary	Recommended	Failure at 2.5 v	Failure at 2.5 v
Overcharge	Supported	NOT recommended	Supported	Supported
Power/kilo	50 Wh/kg	70 Wh/Kg	110-160 Wh/Kg	100-130 Wh-Kg
Memory effect	Very High	Low	None	None
Ah (Ampere hours)	0.5 – 1Ah	0.5 – 10 Ah	-	-
Voltage per cell	1.2 V	1.2 V	3.7 V	3.7 V

Within the wide range of batteries on the market we can differentiate two large groups, disposable batteries and rechargeable batteries.
Disposable batteries are those that only allow a single use and when they are exhausted they can not be recharged. These batteries can store their energy for years.

Rechargeable batteries are those that can be recharged once exhausted. This type is losing charge when they are storedaccording to voltage. The most common we can find them of 1.2V and 3.7V

As a last point you have to take into account that lithium batteries, Lipo, Life etc. Due to its composition, specific loaders should be used.