CR-V3, CRV3, ELCRV3, RLCRV3 Battery Equivalents and Replacements

CR-V3, CRV3, ELCRV3, RLCRV3 is very popular, high-capacity single-cell lithium or lithium-ion battery, often used in high-drain devices and appliances, like flashlights, photo cameras, toys and similar.

CR-V3 is flat, rectangular battery 52.2 mm in height, 28.05 mm in width and 14.15 mm in depth and is physically very similar to two AA (R6) batteries side-by-side.

Updated: September 8, 2021.

Most common label for this battery is CR-V3 or CRV3, but other labels are used as well like ELCRV3, RLCRV3, 5047LC, 5047LF, KCRV3, LB-01 etc. But, most popular brands generally use either CR-V3 or CRV3 labels, sometimes combined with other labels as well.

CR-V3 batteries features and specifications depend on the exact battery chemistry.

Non-Rechargeable CR-V3 Batteries

Non-rechargeable CR-V3 batteries are most common CR-V3 batteries. Their negative electrode is lithium, while positive electrode is made of manganese-dioxide.

Manganese-dioxide lithium CR-V3 batteries feature operating temperature range between -20°C (-4°F) and 60°C (140°F), although there are models with wider operating temperature.

Their nominal voltage is 3.0 V, with open-circuit voltage being somewhat higher than that (model dependent). Cutoff voltage is 2.0 V, while capacity depends on the load used for capacity measurement and is in the 2500-3700 mAh range.

CR-V3 batteries from reputable brands feature shelf life up to 10 years.

Rechargeable CR-V3 Batteries - RCR-V3 vs CR-V3 Batteries

Rechargeable CR-V3 batteries are commonly labeled as RCR-V3 and are based on lithium-ion chemistry.

RCR-V3 batteries are not as common as non-rechargeable CR-V3 batteries for many reasons, including voltage difference (3.0 volts vs 3.6-3.7 volts) and smaller capacity (3.0 Ah vs 1.7-2.1 Ah). Also, while some CR-V3 batteries have shelf life of 10+ years (they still have at least 90% of their initial capacity after 10 years), RCR-V3 batteries have shelf life of few months, after which, they must be recharged again.

But, RCR-V3 batteries may be recharged 300-500+ times, and they may potentially save a lot of money.

Since RCR-V3 batteries are required to provide relatively large currents, they are commonly made using Lithium Manganese Oxide (LiMn₂0₄, 'IMR' lithium ion batteries) or Lithium Manganese Nickel (LiNiMnCoO₂, 'INR' lithium ion batteries) chemistries - these batteries feature nominal voltage of 3.6-3.7 volts, maximum charging voltage of 4.2 volts and can be recharged 300-1000 times, sometimes even more, depending on the battery load and use.

Some RCR-V3 batteries are made using Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄, 'IFR' lithium ion batteries) chemistry. Such RCR-V3 batteries feature nominal voltage of 3.2-3.3 volts with maximum charging voltage of ~3.7 volts. Although lithium iron phosphate batteries are not able to provide as large currents as IMR and INR batteries, their nominal voltage is much closer to the nominal voltage of non-rechargeable CR-V3 batteries (3.0 vs 3.2-3.3 volts).

Other chemistries like Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LiCoO₂, 'ICR' lithium ion battery) are rarely used for high-drain devices, but hybrid technologies like Lithium Nickel Cobalt Oxide (LiNiCoO₂), Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (LiNiCoAlO₂) and similar, have potential to increase both safety, capacity, number of charging and discharging cycles and output current. But, it still remains to be seen, at least regarding RCR-V3 batteries.

Note: due to the voltage difference between CR-V3 and RCR-V3, unless the device explicitly allows the use of both batteries, CR-V3 and RCR-V3 batteries are not interchangeable. Better safe than sorry. Also, some manufacturers offer RCR-V3 batteries with modified chemistry providing 3.0 volts (lithium-aluminum anode, for example) or the batteries feature Battery Management System (BMS) that ensures output voltage of 3.0 volts.

CR-V3 vs AA (R6) Batteries

Physically CR-V3 are very similar to a pair of AA (R6) batteries: 52.2 x 28.05 x 14.15 mm vs. 50.5 x 14.5 mm (x2).

Because of that, many devices may be powered by either CR-V3 or AA batteries. Since lithium CR-V3 batteries pack much more energy than a pair of AA batteries, devices operated via CR-V3 batteries feature longer operating time.

For example, typical features of AA batteries depending on their chemistry are:

- zinc-carbon, non-rechargeable, 600-1600 mAh, 1.5 volts,

- alkaline, non-rechargeable, 1800-2700 mAh, 1.5 volts,

- NiCd, rechargeable, 600-1000 mAh, 1.2 volts,

- NiMH, rechargeable, 700-2800 mAh, 1.2 volts,

- Li-ion (14500), rechargeable, 600-2000+, 3.6-3.7 volts.

Note: AA (R6) batteries are very popular batteries, differing in chemistry, capacity, voltage, and other features. For more information about these batteries, check our AA Batteries - Size, Types and Equivalents article.

CR-V3 Battery Equivalents Comparison Chart

Features and specifications of most popular CR-V3 batteries are given in the following chart:

As one can see, a pair of zinc-carbon AA batteries connected in series features 3.0 volts and capacity of 600-1600 mAh, while a pair of alkaline batteries features 3.0 volts and capacity of 1800-2700 mAh.

However, high-capacity zinc-carbon and alkaline AA batteries are commonly low-drain batteries, not intended for photo cameras and similar.

A pair of NiCd and NiMH batteries connected in series offer capacity of 600-1000 mAh (NiCd) and 700-2800 mAh (NiMH). Their nominal voltage of 2.4 volts is commonly not a problem, since devices designed to be powered with CR-V3 batteries operate properly with 2.0-3.0 voltages.

However, NiCd AA batteries feature very low capacity and they are not environment friendly, while high-capacity NiMH batteries are commonly not the best performers when being drained with large currents.

Lithium ion AA battery (14500 battery) capacity depends on the intended drain, but a pair of these have nominal voltage of 7.2 - 7.4 volts and can easily damage device intended to be powered via single-cell CR-V3 battery.

For short: if you have a photo camera, a flashlight, a toy or any similar device intended to be powered with one or more CR-V3 batteries, go for CR-V3 batteries from reputable brands. Some of the most popular models include (Amazon links, the links open in the new window):

• Energizer CRV3 Lithium Batteries
• Kastar CRV3 Lithium Batteries
• Duracell CRV3 Lithium Batteries

While CR-V3 batteries may be replaced with a pair of AA batteries featuring 1.2-1.5 volts per cell, such batteries in most cases have smaller capacity than a single CR-V3 battery.

RCR-V3 are not yet commonly accepted on the market, but things change over time and more and more RCR-V3 batteries are replacing CR-V3 batteries, especially in the devices used on a daily basis.

For a standby and Every-Day-Carry (EDC) devices, CR-V3 batteries are still by far the best option.