CR123A, CR17450, and CR14505 The Ultimate CR Li-MnO2 Cylindrical Battery Comparison

Your industrial meter just failed in the field. The replacement costs are mounting. You need a battery solution that actually works for the long term without constant maintenance visits.

CR Li-MnO2 cylindrical batteries are primary lithium batteries featuring manganese dioxide cathodes with 3V nominal voltage, offering 10-15 year shelf life and operating temperatures from -40°C to +85°C.

Popular models include CR123A (1500mAh), CR17450 (2500mAh), and CR14505 (1400mAh), each designed for specific industrial applications requiring long-term reliable power.

If you’re selecting batteries for industrial equipment, understanding these differences can save thousands in maintenance costs and system downtime.

Table of Contents

• What Makes CR Li-MnO2 Cylindrical Battery Technology Different from Other Primary Batteries?
• How Do CR123A, CR17450, and CR14505 Battery Specifications Compare?
• Which CR Battery Size Works Best for Your Industrial Application?
• What Are the Real-World Performance Differences Between CR VS ER Lithium Batteries?

What Makes CR Li-MnO2 Cylindrical Battery Technology Different from Other Primary Batteries?

Li-MnO2 primary batteries use lithium-manganese dioxide chemistry that provides stable 3V output with minimal voltage drop throughout discharge.

Unlike alkaline batteries that experience significant voltage decline, CR batteries maintain consistent performance across their operational life, making them ideal for devices requiring precise voltage requirements and extended deployment periods without replacement.

The Chemical Foundation of CR Battery Performance

The Li-MnO2 chemistry works through a specific electrochemical reaction. When the battery discharges, lithium ions move from the anode through an organic electrolyte to the manganese dioxide cathode. This reaction produces electrical energy with remarkable efficiency.

The process differs fundamentally from lithium thionyl chloride batteries, which use a liquid cathode system.

The CR battery voltage 3V remains stable because the manganese dioxide cathode maintains consistent electrochemical properties throughout the discharge cycle. This stability matters greatly in industrial settings.

Many sensors and meters require specific voltage ranges to function accurately. A battery that drops from 3V to 2.5V halfway through its life can cause measurement errors or system shutdowns.

Temperature performance sets CR batteries apart from standard alkaline options. The CR Li-MnO2 cylindrical battery operates reliably from -40°C to +85°C. This wide range comes from the organic electrolyte’s properties.

At low temperatures, alkaline batteries lose most of their capacity. At high temperatures, they can leak or fail completely. CR batteries continue delivering power in both extremes.

Self-discharge rates matter for long-term deployments. CR batteries lose less than 1% capacity per year at room temperature. This low self-discharge enables the 10-15 year shelf life.

You can install a CR Li-MnO2 cylindrical battery in a remote location and expect it to work years later. Alkaline batteries self-discharge much faster and may be dead before you even install them if they’ve been sitting in storage.

At Long Sing Technology, we’ve worked with clients who previously used alkaline batteries in outdoor utility meters. They faced constant replacement cycles and field service costs.

After switching to CR technology, their maintenance intervals extended from 2 years to over 10 years. This change reduced operational costs by 75% over the equipment lifetime.

How Do CR123A, CR17450, and CR14505 Battery Specifications Compare?

The CR123A lithium battery industrial model measures 17mm diameter × 34.5mm length with 1500mAh capacity, CR17450 3V battery measures 17mm × 50mm with 2500mAh, and CR14505 lithium battery 3V measures 14mm × 50.5mm with 1400mAh.

Size determines capacity and current delivery, with larger diameters supporting higher pulse currents and longer runtimes for specific applications.

Detailed Specification Analysis

The naming convention for these batteries tells you their physical dimensions. The first two digits after “CR” indicate diameter in millimeters. The next three or four digits indicate length in tenths of millimeters.

So CR17450 means 17mm diameter and 45.0mm length. This standardized naming helps engineers quickly identify compatible options.

The CR123A breaks this convention slightly because it’s a consumer designation that became industry standard. The “A” originally indicated a specific manufacturer’s size variant. Now CR123A universally means the 17mm × 34.5mm size.

This battery became popular in cameras and flashlights before finding industrial applications. Its compact size and reasonable CR lithium battery capacity make it suitable for devices with space constraints.

The CR17450 offers the highest capacity among common cylindrical formats. Its 2500mAh rating comes from the increased length compared to CR123A. The extra 15.5mm of length provides more cathode and anode material.

This translates directly to more total energy storage. For applications that need long runtime in a moderate-sized package, the CR17450 hits the sweet spot.

The CR14505 lithium battery 3V uses a narrower diameter than the 17mm family. This 14mm diameter matches the AA battery form factor exactly. Many devices designed for AA alkaline batteries can accept CR14505 as a direct upgrade.

The thinner diameter means less internal volume. That’s why capacity sits at 1400mAh despite the 50.5mm length being similar to CR17450. The reduced diameter also limits pulse current capability to about 1200mA compared to CR17450‘s 2000mA.

Pulse current matters for devices with intermittent high-power demands. A water meter might run low-power electronics continuously but need higher current bursts for radio transmission. The CR Li-MnO2 cylindrical battery handles these pulses well.

The manganese dioxide cathode delivers current surges without significant voltage sag. This pulse capability varies by size because larger batteries have more electrode surface area to support simultaneous reactions.

Weight differences reflect the material content. CR17450 at 26 grams weighs more than CR123A at 17 grams because it contains more active materials. For handheld devices, this weight matters.

For stationary installations like utility meters, the extra weight is irrelevant but the extra capacity is valuable. The CR14505 at 18 grams offers a middle ground with reasonable capacity in a lighter package.

Which CR Battery Size Works Best for Your Industrial Application?

Battery selection depends on three factors: available space, power consumption profile, and operational lifetime requirements.

CR123A suits compact devices with moderate current draws up to 100mA, CR17450 serves applications needing maximum capacity in standard cylindrical format, andCR14505 works for AA-compatible devices requiring lithium performance with 3V output instead of 1.5V alkaline voltage.

Application-Specific Selection Criteria

Space constraints often drive battery selection. Many industrial devices have predefined battery compartments based on standard sizes.

If your device was designed for AA batteries, the CR14505 drops right in. No mechanical redesign needed. You get the benefits of lithium chemistry in an existing platform.

We’ve seen clients upgrade legacy equipment this way. The existing battery holders and contacts work fine. The only consideration is voltage – the device must tolerate 3V instead of 1.5V.

Power consumption patterns matter more than total capacity sometimes. A device that draws 10mA continuously for one year consumes about 88,000mAh (10mA × 24h × 365d = 87,600mAh). No single CR battery can support this.

But if the same device draws 1mA continuously with occasional 50mA pulses, the calculation changes completely. The CR17450 with 2500mAh can run this profile for several years. The average current matters more than peak current for battery life calculations.

For high pulse applications, the CR17505 cylindrical lithium battery provides an alternative. This model uses the same 17mm diameter as CR123A and CR17450 but at 50.5mm length. The designation follows standard naming conventions.

While not as common as the three main models discussed here, it fills a specific niche for applications needing CR17450-level capacity with slightly different length requirements.

As a lithium primary battery manufacturer, we help clients calculate their actual power needs. Many overestimate their requirements because they don’t account for sleep modes and duty cycling. A GPS tracker that transmits once per hour isn’t running continuously.

It might sleep at 10µA and wake for 30 seconds at 100mA. This drastically reduces average current compared to continuous operation. Accurate profiling lets you select a smaller, cheaper battery that still meets lifetime targets.

Environmental factors influence selection too. The CR26500 Li-MnO2 battery uses a much larger 26mm diameter format. This size appears in applications exposed to extreme temperatures or mechanical stress. The larger case provides better thermal mass and structural strength.

For most industrial applications, the 17mm and 14mm formats prove adequate. But if you’re powering equipment on an oil platform or in mining operations, the robust CR26500 might justify its larger size.

Cost per watt-hour varies between models. Larger batteries typically offer better energy density and lower cost per unit of capacity. But if you don’t need the extra capacity, buying a bigger battery wastes money. The CR123A costs less than CR17450 in absolute terms.

If your application runs fine on 1500mAh, spending more for 2500mAh makes no sense. We’ve worked with clients who over-specified batteries “just to be safe” and ended up spending 40% more than necessary across their entire deployment.

Hybrid solutions combine Li-MnO2 primary batteries with supercapacitors for applications with extreme pulse demands. The CR battery provides long-term energy storage while the capacitor handles current spikes. This approach extends battery life because high-rate discharge stresses the chemistry and reduces capacity.

The capacitor buffers these demands and the battery recharges it during idle periods. For wireless sensors with radio transmission, this hybrid architecture can double operational life.

What Are the Real-World Performance Differences Between CR VS ER Lithium Batteries?

CR (Li-MnO2) batteries provide 3.0V with moderate energy density and excellent pulse capability, while ER (Li-SOCl2) batteries offer 3.6V with superior energy density but limited pulse current.

CR batteries handle pulse loads up to 2A, operate reliably in high-temperature environments, and cost less, making them ideal for applications prioritizing pulse performance and moderate runtime over maximum energy density.

Chemistry Comparison in Practice

The voltage difference between CR and ER batteries affects system design. Many integrated circuits and sensors operate from 2.0V to 3.6V. Both battery types work in this range. But the 3.6V ER starting voltage provides more headroom.

As the battery depletes, it drops below 3.6V. The higher starting point means the battery stays above minimum operating voltage longer into its discharge curve. CR batteries start at 3.0V and may drop below 2.0V sooner depending on load.

Energy density tells a different story. ER batteries pack more watt-hours per gram and per cubic centimeter. A typical ER battery stores 650-750 Wh/kg compared to CR’s 250-350 Wh/kg. This difference comes from the chemistry itself.

The lithium thionyl chloride reaction releases more energy per unit mass than lithium-manganese dioxide. For applications where size and weight matter critically, ER batteries make sense despite their higher cost.

Pulse performance strongly favors CR technology. The solid manganese dioxide cathode in CR batteries supports rapid electron transfer. Current pulses up to 1-2A cause minimal voltage drop.

ER batteries use a liquid cathode that limits reaction kinetics. Pulse currents above 50-100mA cause significant voltage sag. Some ER batteries include internal hybrid pulse capacitors to buffer these demands. But pure ER chemistry struggles with pulses that CR handles easily.

Temperature performance shows interesting differences. ER batteries work down to -60°C compared to CR’s -40°C. This matters for Arctic installations or aerospace applications. But few industrial applications see temperatures below -40°C regularly.

Both chemistries handle the -20°C to +60°C range that covers most global installations. At very high temperatures above 70°C, CR batteries actually perform better because the solid cathode doesn’t experience the pressure buildup that can affect ER batteries.

Cost considerations often determine selection for price-sensitive applications. CR batteries cost 30-50% less than equivalent ER batteries. If your application doesn’t need ER’s energy density advantage, spending extra makes no financial sense.

We see this in utility metering frequently. A water meter might run for 10 years on a CR17450. Using an ER battery might extend that to 15 years. But the meter itself may only have a 10-year service life. The extra battery capacity goes unused while the higher cost impacts every unit deployed.

Safety and handling differ between chemistries. ER batteries contain thionyl chloride, which creates corrosive byproducts if the battery is damaged or improperly disposed of. CR batteries use solid materials that pose fewer handling concerns.

This makes CR batteries easier to ship and store. Regulatory requirements for transportation are less stringent. For consumer-facing applications, CR batteries avoid the hazmat documentation that ER batteries require.

Real-world applications often reveal the practical differences. We worked with an Italian automation equipment manufacturer who needed battery packs for industrial control systems installed in manufacturing facilities across Europe.

Their systems required stable voltage over 8-10 year periods with occasional current pulses for actuator control and data logging. Initial designs used ER batteries for maximum energy density. But field testing showed voltage sag during pulse events that caused communication errors.

We analyzed their power profile in detail. The base load was only 2mA with pulses to 800mA for 100ms every few minutes. The CR18505 proved ideal for this application. It handled the pulses without voltage sag, provided sufficient capacity for the 10-year target, and cost less than the ER alternative.

We configured custom battery packs using three CR18505 cells in series for 9V output. The stable voltage improved system reliability and eliminated the communication errors. Over 5,000 units have been deployed with zero battery-related failures to date.

The choice between CR and ER comes down to matching chemistry to application requirements. If you need maximum energy in minimum space and your current draw stays below 10mA continuously, ER makes sense. If you have pulse loads, cost constraints, or high-temperature exposure, CR delivers better value.

The CR34615 represents the largest standard Li-MnO2 primary battery format at 34mm diameter. This size provides over 14,000mAh capacity for applications that need CR’s pulse capability with ER-level runtime.

Conclusion

Selecting the right CR Li-MnO2 cylindrical battery requires understanding your application’s specific demands. The CR123A offers compact size for space-constrained devices. The CR17450 provides maximum capacity in the popular 17mm diameter format. The CR14505 enables lithium performance in AA-compatible designs. Each serves distinct needs with reliable 3V output and 10-15 year shelf life.

Compared to ER alternatives, CR batteries excel in pulse applications and cost-sensitive deployments while delivering excellent temperature performance and easier handling. As a lithium primary battery manufacturer serving industrial and utility markets globally, we’ve seen these batteries enable reliable operation in demanding applications from remote metering to safety systems.

The key is matching battery specifications to your actual power profile rather than simply choosing the highest capacity option. Proper selection reduces costs, extends operational life, and ensures reliable performance throughout your equipment’s service life.

Quick FAQ About CR Li-MnO2 Cylindrical Battery Comparison