THE DIFFERENT MODELS OF BATTERIES FOR YOUR ARGUS

Bob

Most standard CR123A or RCR123A batteries work with Reolink Argus or Reolink Keen, but you have options in what models of batteries you use. Disposable ones, rechargeable ones, you just need to decide which sets would work best for you. Reolink tested a few models out on the market and the test tells such a story:

So you see, different brands show disparities in battery performance.

If your plan isn't among the list, at least make sure the ratings of yours meet the requirements as follows:
Model: CR123A/RCR123A
Voltage: 3V for disposable and 3.7~4.2V for rechargeable (brand new)

Feel free to share your thoughts in this post.

SaiBork

As my original post has been removed, the below batteries are NOT compatible, even though they match the specs:
Olight RCR123A Rechargeable Batteries with 650 mAh 3.7V 2.4Wh Lithium-ion Battery

The camera will not turn on when using the above batteries.

Bob

Thanks for sharing in the community.

SaiBork

I bought enough batteries to power two cameras. All batteries were fine and showed ok in the charger. Neither of the two cameras worked with them and did work with the original batteries. I was able to power one of the cameras on with the old batteries for a few seconds (as they were as good as empty), so the connections were fine.

Support is also aware that they dont work and I told them to update the battery FAQ and they keep agreeing, but I still don't see it changed on the page with a list of incompatible batteries.
https://reolink.com/faq/choose-batteries-for-battery-powered-camera/

If there are known batteries that comply with the requirements but don't work, they should be mentioned on the page as not compatible. Not everyone looks on the forum.

It makes no sense that the batteries would not work, if they have the correct voltage. I still say it's the battery connections that is the problem. And what I mean by that is the physical battery top and bottom, may not stick out enough to make contact in the camera.

If the battery size is not correct or does not make adequate terminal contact. What is the safest material to use to bridge the gap and allow contact with battery and terminal?

Kenneth

The flashlight community often uses small neodymium magnet discs to extend the positive button contact. I suspect those who are having contact issues simply need a longer positive button for the battery to allow it to reach the camera contact. However, given the very tight fit I've observed for my Argus (I'm using Evershines designed for the Arlo camera), a magnet may not stay put or could even be too thick (1 mm seems to be the thinnest you can get). Aluminum foil can also work, just be careful it doesn't short anything out.

As was already mentioned, any RCR123A should otherwise work as long as it's not too long, in good health and charged (fully charged voltage should be 4.2V under no load). I suggest you buy RCR123As that will work in the Netgear Arlo camera (this ensures they won't be too long), and stay away from cheap Li-ion batteries! Note that many protected RCR123As sold for flashlights may be too long. I've found one respected brand of RCR123A (16340) commonly used in flashlights that is way too long to fit the battery slot (Efest protected button top), and several others that (based on the specified measurements) are similar in length. 35 mm seems to be the rough limit, but you often can't trust a sellers dimension specs to be very accurate. Based on my first set of discharged RCR123As, unprotected 16340s may be ok to use (since none of the protection circuits was tripped after the camera shut down) and most of those should fit just fine (the protection circuit adds length to the battery, but prevents over-discharge which can reduce the it's cycle life).

Kenneth

Correction, I'm using the Arlo-compatible (longer positive button) Eastshines in my Argus:
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-EASTSHINE-E07-Rechargeable-Flashlight/dp/B01CHX06YC

These seem to perform fairly well, but (based on my experience so far) at room temperature, they will be flat dead within 12 hours or so of receiving the low battery warning (that's with one or two camera activations). They have a protection circuit which did not appear to be tripped, which suggests to me that the camera may not be capable of over-discharging a 16340 battery. So, as long as you're using a QUALITY charger (check out HKJ's Li-ion charger reviews: http://lygte-info.dk/info/roundCellChargerIndex%20UK.html), you may not really HAVE to use protected 16340s, which would open up quite a lot of high quality 16340 options. Mountain Electronics is a reputable place to shop for unprotected cells (the protected 16340s they sell will NOT fit (17360 or 17370 would probably be accurate for those), so don't bother. A little extra diameter (17 vs 16 mm) doesn't cause any problems in the Argus.

Wondering if 18650 (3.7v) batteries would work in the Reolink Argus?

Bob

@Danny Goat ,
We are sorry that the 18650 battery does not fit the battery slot. Please refer to our test report of batteries.
https://reolink.com/faq/choose-batteries-for-battery-powered-camera/.

I have seen that difference in height [ does not make adequate terminal contact ] on rechargeable batteries, specially if ordered on ebay. A good way to check, slide a small piece or aluminum foil ( folded up ) in between the negative end of the batter and contact. Make sure that it ends up being a snug fit. Also, insure the cam's contacts are free and clear. Use a small amount of alcohol on q-tip and clean the contacts.

my 2 cents.

I was so much older then I'm younger than that now. Joe, over 70 years on the planet and never ceased to be amazed..
sue_joe2.jpg

Fred

Anyone try the RavPower batteries advertised on Amazon.ca site?

I am extremely disappointed at how often I have to recharge my batteries. I get between 20 days and 40 days with an average over the 4 cameras of around 30 days. I track my battery charges with a spreadsheet.

The cameras are activated for detection for approximately 45 to 60 minutes once per day.

I do not spend any time live viewing.

Lisa

Reolink Argus 2 will last 16 hours in day mode (or 9 hours with LEDs on at night, equivalent).
Please kindly note that when batteries are used repeatedly, they lose capacity as the number of charge cycles increases, until they are eventually considered to have reached the end of their useful life. So the battery life of Argus 2 will decrease as the number of charge cycles increases, which is normal for all lithium batteries, just like the one in your smartphone.

'Reolink Argus 2 will last 16 hours in day mode (or 9 hours with LEDs on at night, equivalent).'

Can you please explain 'day mode'? If you mean live view in daytime I seldom use that feature as I know it is a drain on the batteries. My cameras are in stand-by mode approximately 23 hours per day.

I take your point about loosing battery capacity with charging cycles. My batteries have been cycled three times since new and the non rechargeable batteries I received with the camera were no better.

Lisa

Yes. I mean live view and motion detection in daytime. Thank you very much for your understanding and patience all the time!

LinksManagement

It is interesting

Lisa

：）

thesamewriter

You say cool things, I support you. Indeed, health is the most important thing in our lives. We need to do Complete body check because it helps us feel good. If you want to live earlier, you need to visit medical clinics regularly. We do this together with the whole family.