CR123A 1-Cell Battery Holder - 3V PCB Through-Hole Mount Socket Case

Specifications

• Supported Battery Size: CR123A or 16340 (Approx. 17mm diameter x 34.5mm length)

• Number of Slots: 1

• Output Voltage: 3V Nominal (with CR123A) or 3.7V Nominal (with rechargeable 16340)

• Mounting Style: PCB Through-Hole (DIP pins)

• Contact Material: Nickel-plated steel springs

• Housing Material: High-temp resistant rigid plastic

Key Applications and Projects

• IoT Sensor Nodes: Powering remote ESP8266 or LoRaWAN temperature/humidity sensors that need to run for months on a single primary lithium cell.

• Wireless Security Systems: Providing reliable, long shelf-life power for DIY door/window open sensors and motion detectors.

• Custom Lighting: Building compact, high-lumen LED flashlights or emergency strobes.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution)

• Rechargeable Upgrade: While standard CR123A batteries are single-use (primary) 3V cells, this exact holder will perfectly fit a 16340 Lithium-Ion Battery. By swapping to a 16340 and adding a tiny TP4056 charging circuit to your PCB, you can instantly upgrade your project from disposable power to USB-rechargeable 3.7V power!

Package Includes:

• 1 x CR123A 1-Cell Battery Holder (PCB Through-Hole Mount)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. What specific battery does this hold? It is molded specifically to hold one CR123A battery (also commonly known as a 16340 cell).

2. Will a standard AA or AAA battery fit? No. AA and AAA batteries are much narrower and longer. This holder is uniquely shaped for the short, fat CR123A form factor.

3. Will an 18650 battery fit? No, an 18650 cell is much longer (65mm) and slightly wider (18mm) than a CR123A.

4. What voltage will this output? The holder itself does not change voltage; it outputs whatever the battery provides. A standard non-rechargeable CR123A provides 3.0V. A rechargeable 16340 provides 3.7V.

5. What are the two metal spikes on the bottom? Those are through-hole pins designed to be pushed through holes in a printed circuit board (PCB) and soldered in place.

6. Does it have wires attached? No, this specific model uses rigid PCB pins rather than flexible flying leads.

7. How do I know which side is positive and negative? Usually, the battery orientation is molded into the inside of the plastic. Furthermore, the side with the flat metal contact is typically positive, and the side with the protruding/curved spring is negative.

8. Can I plug this directly into a breadboard? Because the pins are spaced specifically for the battery length, they will not perfectly align with the standard 2.54mm grid of a breadboard without bending them, which is not recommended. It is best used on a custom PCB or a blank perfboard.

9. What does the "XSY" on the bottom mean? That is likely the manufacturer's logo or a specific plastic mold identification mark.

10. Does this holder have built-in overcharge protection? No, it is simply a mechanical plastic casing with metal contacts. Any protection circuitry must be handled by your PCB or the battery itself.

11. Are the contacts strong? Yes, the leaf-spring design ensures tight, high-pressure contact with the battery terminals to prevent accidental disconnects.

12. Can I use a rechargeable battery in this? Yes. The rechargeable lithium-ion equivalent to the CR123A is called the 16340. It fits perfectly in this holder.

13. Is this holder waterproof? No, it is completely open. It must be housed inside a sealed enclosure if your project will be exposed to moisture.

14. What are the holes in the bottom plastic for? Those allow for heat dissipation, ease of plastic molding, and can sometimes be used to run a small zip-tie or screw for extra mechanical stability if you aren't soldering the pins.

15. What is the maximum current rating? Standard spring contacts like these are generally rated to safely handle 1A to 3A of continuous current draw.

16. How do I solder this to my board? Push the pins through the corresponding holes on your custom PCB, flip the board over, and apply solder to the pins and pads on the bottom layer.

17. Can I wire multiple of these together? Yes! If you use two of these holders on your PCB, you can design your copper traces to wire them in series (for 6V) or parallel (for double the capacity at 3V).

18. Can I cut the pins off and just solder wires to it? While technically possible, it is difficult to get solder to stick properly to the thick, trimmed pins without melting the plastic housing. It is better to buy a wire-lead version if you don't intend to use a PCB.

19. What is the casing made of? It is constructed from a rigid, durable plastic, typically an ABS/PC blend that can withstand the mild heat of soldering.

20. Will "protected" 16340 cells fit? Cells with a built-in protection circuit on the top cap are slightly longer than standard cells. They will likely be a very tight squeeze and may heavily compress the spring contacts.