Lithium Batteries

bikerbill · November 2, 2007, 10:05 AM

This may be a stupid question, but I can't get SureFire to answer it.

I recently bought a 9P, which came with three of SureFire's 123 lithium batteries. I used the light for a few weeks. Finally, i used it one evening and it was fine. The next night, no light at all.

I replaced the batteries with a set from another maker, and the same thing happened. One day fine, the next day stone dead.

Is this what I should expect from litium batteries? No dimming, no warning that they are out of juice, just light one minute and dark the next? Seems kinda dangerous for, say, a cop chasing a bad guy in the dark. Also seems kinda costly, since to avoid that problem you would have to replace the batteries as preventive medicine long before they're dead.

KMBRTAC45 · November 2, 2007, 11:12 AM

I have 4 Surefire lights(2-E2E's, 1-Z3 & 1-G2) and what usually happens is towards the end of the batteries life they will dim slightly about 5 minutes before the light dies. If you are not paying attention it will seem like the light just stops. Lights like Surefire and other high output lights only work if they can draw maximum power from the battery, if you have other items that use a 3v lithium they still have some power in them and can be used in low draw items. I keep at least 2 boxes of batteries around at all times, if I'm going to Michigan for deer season I will grab a couple of extra boxes.

Glenn E. Meyer · November 2, 2007, 02:29 PM

I have a Streamlight LED little flashlight that uses 123's. I put the the Surefire oldies in that and it is fine for just puttering around if you need a little bit of light.

HankL · November 3, 2007, 08:46 AM

Make sure to read this thread http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=266134 before moving the batteries to another flashlight. You want to avoid a situation where one lithium battery tries to charge another.

Some Surefire products dim over time while others supply a near constant light level as long as the batteries have enough juice.

HTH

Martyn4802 · November 4, 2007, 06:24 AM

This is one reason I have gone to LED fashlights, power darw. The power consumed by Surefire flaslights is far too high for good battery life.

Martyn

tony pasley · November 4, 2007, 02:00 PM

That is common result with lithium batteries. It is not the type of light. Once they go down save them for your wrist rocket sling shot, they do great on small varmits.

November 2, 2007, 10:05 AM	#1
bikerbill Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2007 Location: Lago Vista TX Posts: 2,425	Lithium Batteries This may be a stupid question, but I can't get SureFire to answer it. I recently bought a 9P, which came with three of SureFire's 123 lithium batteries. I used the light for a few weeks. Finally, i used it one evening and it was fine. The next night, no light at all. I replaced the batteries with a set from another maker, and the same thing happened. One day fine, the next day stone dead. Is this what I should expect from litium batteries? No dimming, no warning that they are out of juice, just light one minute and dark the next? Seems kinda dangerous for, say, a cop chasing a bad guy in the dark. Also seems kinda costly, since to avoid that problem you would have to replace the batteries as preventive medicine long before they're dead.

November 2, 2007, 11:12 AM	#2
KMBRTAC45 Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2006 Location: The valley of the sun scorched earth(Phx,Az) Posts: 117	I have 4 Surefire lights(2-E2E's, 1-Z3 & 1-G2) and what usually happens is towards the end of the batteries life they will dim slightly about 5 minutes before the light dies. If you are not paying attention it will seem like the light just stops. Lights like Surefire and other high output lights only work if they can draw maximum power from the battery, if you have other items that use a 3v lithium they still have some power in them and can be used in low draw items. I keep at least 2 boxes of batteries around at all times, if I'm going to Michigan for deer season I will grab a couple of extra boxes. __________________ NRA Life Member, USCCA Member Freedoms precious metals:Gold, Silver & Lead Tactical Pro II w/EE over 2000 rnds NO MALFUNCTIONS

November 2, 2007, 02:29 PM	#3
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	I have a Streamlight LED little flashlight that uses 123's. I put the the Surefire oldies in that and it is fine for just puttering around if you need a little bit of light. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

November 3, 2007, 08:46 AM	#4
HankL Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 1999 Location: The Sunny South Posts: 2,174	Make sure to read this thread http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=266134 before moving the batteries to another flashlight. You want to avoid a situation where one lithium battery tries to charge another. Some Surefire products dim over time while others supply a near constant light level as long as the batteries have enough juice. HTH __________________ Check 6

November 4, 2007, 06:24 AM	#5
Martyn4802 Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: Grayling, Michigan Posts: 737	This is one reason I have gone to LED fashlights, power darw. The power consumed by Surefire flaslights is far too high for good battery life. Martyn __________________ US Army Retired NRA Benefactor Life Member JPFO

November 4, 2007, 02:00 PM	#6
tony pasley Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2006 Location: western north carolina Posts: 1,641	That is common result with lithium batteries. It is not the type of light. Once they go down save them for your wrist rocket sling shot, they do great on small varmits.