Kirsch
Active member
Night Goggles has been getting a series of questions on rechargeable batteries as I have been using them in my Bering Optics Hogster-R 35mm. The owner’s manual of the Hogster warns of the usage of rechargeables CR123s, so I contacted Bering Optics to get their input. The following is their email reply:
Bering Optics does not manufacture rechargeable 123's type batteries, does not supply them in a set with the Thermal and NV products, and is not responsible for the quality nor for the consequences of their usage. None of the rechargeable commercial grade batteries are certified to be used with devices that are subject to strong recoil produced by a rifle shot. It is possible to use rechargeable batteries in all of our NV and Thermal sights, however caution shall be exercised considering combination of factors: overcharged batteries and recoil that might cause short circuiting of the rechargeable batteries.
After reading this, I started doing some more investigation. Many Night Vision and Thermal imaging devices are designed to be powered by Lithium 3.0V CR123 batteries. It shall be noted that Lithium 3.0V CR123 and rechargeable accumulators that look similar to shape of CR123 batteries are not the same.
Rechargeable accumulators come with the declared 3.7V voltage while in reality might get overcharged in excess of 4.0V and up to 4.4V when there is no time control over the charging period. The uncontrollable overcharge of accumulators is wide spread due to availability of inexpensive batteries chargers that do not have any overcharge stopping mechanisms built-in.
I followed up with a telephone call with Boris from Bering Optics. He said the main risks are overcharging, rechargeables producing too high voltage, and the potential for self-ignition caused by short circuiting.
Overcharging: Many of the cheap chargers do not control the rate or length of charge.
Short circuiting and fire hazard: The risk of battery self-ignition is present when it is overcharged and compounded by the recoil produced by the weapon’s system.
Boris reminded me of the shipping restrictions via air for the batteries due to a similar concern.
What does all this mean? The potential risk of using rechargeable batteries is not unique to Bering Optics but applies to any night vision or thermal device subject to recoil. The Hogster and all Bering Optics devices that take CR123s will operate with rechargeable batteries. However, the Bering Optics warranty does not cover any damages caused by the improper use of the rechargeable batteries, so use at your own risk.
Boris recommended the use of the Night Goggles TRB Extended Battery Pack if a rechargeable option was preferred.
Bering Optics does not manufacture rechargeable 123's type batteries, does not supply them in a set with the Thermal and NV products, and is not responsible for the quality nor for the consequences of their usage. None of the rechargeable commercial grade batteries are certified to be used with devices that are subject to strong recoil produced by a rifle shot. It is possible to use rechargeable batteries in all of our NV and Thermal sights, however caution shall be exercised considering combination of factors: overcharged batteries and recoil that might cause short circuiting of the rechargeable batteries.
After reading this, I started doing some more investigation. Many Night Vision and Thermal imaging devices are designed to be powered by Lithium 3.0V CR123 batteries. It shall be noted that Lithium 3.0V CR123 and rechargeable accumulators that look similar to shape of CR123 batteries are not the same.
Rechargeable accumulators come with the declared 3.7V voltage while in reality might get overcharged in excess of 4.0V and up to 4.4V when there is no time control over the charging period. The uncontrollable overcharge of accumulators is wide spread due to availability of inexpensive batteries chargers that do not have any overcharge stopping mechanisms built-in.
I followed up with a telephone call with Boris from Bering Optics. He said the main risks are overcharging, rechargeables producing too high voltage, and the potential for self-ignition caused by short circuiting.
Overcharging: Many of the cheap chargers do not control the rate or length of charge.
Short circuiting and fire hazard: The risk of battery self-ignition is present when it is overcharged and compounded by the recoil produced by the weapon’s system.
Boris reminded me of the shipping restrictions via air for the batteries due to a similar concern.
What does all this mean? The potential risk of using rechargeable batteries is not unique to Bering Optics but applies to any night vision or thermal device subject to recoil. The Hogster and all Bering Optics devices that take CR123s will operate with rechargeable batteries. However, the Bering Optics warranty does not cover any damages caused by the improper use of the rechargeable batteries, so use at your own risk.
Boris recommended the use of the Night Goggles TRB Extended Battery Pack if a rechargeable option was preferred.
