Batteries & cameras · Care & ideas

Specialty Battery Guide for 2CR5, CR-P2, 27A and 23A

Use codes, voltage and size to identify 2CR5, CR-P2, CR2 and 27A batteries, and avoid confusing 27A with 23A.

Specialty batteries are easy to misorder because the names look alike. A 27A, 23A, 2CR5, CR-P2 and CR2 can all appear near cameras, remotes or security gear, yet they are not interchangeable.

This guide gives you a method for reading a battery label, checking voltage and comparing dimensions. It also lists the alternative codes stated for the 2CR5 and CR-P2 products, which can help when an old battery uses a different brand label.

Use the code printed on the old battery as your starting point. If the old cell is missing, check the device manual, battery door or manufacturer label before trying to match a photo online.

Read the whole battery code, not just the voltage

Voltage is an essential safety and compatibility check, but it does not identify a battery by itself. The 27A products in this guide are 12V alkaline batteries. A 2CR5 or CR-P2 is listed as a 6V lithium photo battery, while the CR2 product is listed as 3.0V.

The letters and numbers also describe a particular format. “27A” may be printed with aliases such as MN27, LR27A, A27, L828 or V27GA in the supplied listing. Those aliases apply to the 27A type, not to every small cylindrical 12V battery.

Be especially careful around 23A and 27A. They are both commonly described as 12V remote batteries, but the codes differ. Do not assume the two labels mean the same cell. A device requires the format specified for its compartment and contacts.

Specialty battery cross-reference and size table

Battery format Stated voltage Names or codes stated in listings Stated dimensions
27A alkaline 12V MN27, LR27A, A27, L828, V27GA Not stated in supplied listing
2CR5 lithium photo 6V EL2CR5, DL245, RL2CR5, 5032LC 45 × 34 × 18 mm
CR-P2 lithium photo 6V BR-P2, 223A, CR17-33, 5024LC, DL223A 36 × 35 × 19.5 mm
CR2 lithium 3.0V CR2 27 × 15 mm

The table uses only the names and measurements supplied with these products. Dimensions are a cross-check after the code and voltage match. A compartment can have room around a battery without being designed to accept it electrically.

How to confirm a hard-to-find battery safely

  1. Remove the old battery after switching the device off.
  2. Copy every letter, number and symbol on its label.
  3. Check the stated voltage against the device marking.
  4. Compare length, width and depth if dimensions are available.
  5. Confirm the contact orientation before closing the compartment.

For cameras and similar equipment, inspect the battery door for a printed diagram. It shows the intended orientation and sometimes the exact code. Never force a battery into a tight compartment. A close-looking format can damage a spring contact or prevent the cover from closing.

When an old label gives one of the 2CR5 aliases, compare it to the cross-reference rather than guessing by package artwork. The listed 2CR5 product also uses the codes EL2CR5, DL245 and RL2CR5. That is useful information, but the 6V rating and 45 × 34 × 18 mm size still need to fit your device.

Choose quantity, chemistry and storage for the job

A multi-pack can make sense for several identical remotes or scheduled replacements. The 27A listing is available as a 10-pack, while a five-pack is also listed. Buy the smaller pack if you only need a spare and will not use the rest before the marked shelf-life guidance.

Photo batteries should be matched to their named format rather than grouped together as “camera batteries”. The 2CR5 listing states 1500mAh at 6V. The CR-P2 listing also states 1500mAh at 6V, but its measurements differ. The CR2 listing states 800mAh, 3.0V and 27 mm by 15 mm.

Store spare cells in a cool, dry place in their original packaging. Keep loose batteries away from coins, keys and other metal objects. Do not mix old and new batteries in one device, and do not combine different brands or chemistries unless the device maker specifically permits it.

Specialty battery choices at OfficeCatch

OfficeCatch lists several hard-to-find formats, so filter by the exact code before price or pack size. The links below correspond to the formats used in the cross-reference table, not to a general category of “small batteries”.

Make a note on the device or in a household inventory when you confirm a specialty format. Record the code, voltage and the date it was replaced. That note is more reliable than relying on memory when the same device needs a new battery several years later.

If a new cell does not power the device, check its orientation before assuming it is faulty. Confirm that the contacts are clean and not flattened. Then reread the code on the device label. A voltage match alone cannot correct a wrong format or a reversed battery.

Dispose of used batteries through an appropriate battery-recycling option rather than placing them loose in general rubbish. Tape over exposed terminals where local collection guidance requests it. Keep used cells out of reach of children until you can take them to the collection point.

For a remote, test the functions after fitting the new battery from a normal operating distance. For a camera, check the date, settings and flash operation if applicable. These short tests confirm that the compartment door is closed and the battery is seated correctly.

FAQs

Is a 27A battery the same as a 23A battery?

No. Both are small 12V alkaline battery formats, but their labels and physical sizes differ. Read the exact code printed on the old battery or device label. Do not substitute 27A for 23A, or vice versa, just because both are described as 12V remote batteries.

What are the other names for a 2CR5 battery?

The supplied 2CR5 listing gives EL2CR5, DL245 and RL2CR5 as common names. Its stated voltage is 6V, capacity is 1500mAh, and dimensions are 45 mm by 34 mm by 18 mm. Match the code and shape inside the device before choosing a replacement.

Is CR-P2 the same battery as 2CR5?

No. Both products in this guide are listed as 6V lithium photo batteries, but their names and stated dimensions differ. The CR-P2 listing is 36 mm by 35 mm by 19.5 mm, while the 2CR5 listing is 45 mm by 34 mm by 18 mm. Treat them as separate formats.

Can a CR2 battery replace a CR-P2 or 2CR5 battery?

No. The CR2 product is listed as a 3.0V battery with 27 mm by 15 mm dimensions. The 2CR5 and CR-P2 products are listed as 6V formats with different shapes. Match the device's exact battery code, voltage and compartment before buying any specialty battery.

Products linked in this guide

Check the product page for current specifications, compatibility and availability.

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