Why don't these batteries work?

[gunnertwo]

Ok, might be a dumb question. These batteries (pictured) rate at 100% by my tester. They will not run my S/F flashlights. Why?

G2

 

[fivemega]

Did you recharge them before usage?
BTW make sure your flashlight have LO bulb.
LO=Low Output

 

[Monocrom]

Also make sure your particular SureFire flashlight can handle 3.7volt rechargeable batteries, in case you have an older model designed only for 3.0volt primaries instead.

 

[gunnertwo]

Well, obviously I'm a noob. Before I placed them in the FL's I tested them, they registered at 100%. I don't know what a "LO bulb" is. Markings on the lamp part? My SF F/L are all probably 7 to 10 + years old. Thanks for the info.

G2

 

[aznsx]

Well, obviously I'm a noob

That's OK, and I know very little about SFs too;-) Is yours LED or incandescent bulb, and did it come set up for 2 x CR123A cells, and if so will it still work with CR123A primary cells?

 

[gunnertwo]

I have both, Incandescent and LED, both work with 123 batt's.I bought the rechargeable so I could... recharge them.

G2

 

[aznsx]

still work

Roger that, but my question was whether the light(s) that are intended to use 2 x 123 cells still work w/ 2 x CR123 cells AFTER having had the cells in your OP tried in them (and having them fail to work). That's critical to the rest of the explanation I can possibly offer.

In other words, if a light worked w/ cr123s, then you tried the cells in the OP and they failed to work, those cells could have blown up the light. The only way you can determine that is to try the CR123As again, to see if the light still works with them right now.

 

[gunnertwo]

Now I'm tracking, had CR123 in both lights before. Installed the recharge, no workie, replaced with CR123, worked normal. Thanks.

G2

 

[aznsx]

Now I'm tracking, had CR123 in both lights before. Installed the recharge, no workie, replaced with CR123, worked normal. Thanks.

G2

I have no SFs and thus am not the best to say, but I believe the link below is what SF recommends for your application. Note under 'read more' that (the way I read it) they are recommended for LED lights, but should not be used in incandescent lights. These are LFP (LiFePO4) lithium ion cells, with a characteristic voltage of just over 3 volts in operation, vs the 3.7-4.2V of the cells in your first post. Especially given there's 2 in series, that overvoltage could destroy lights not designed specifically to use them.

I use LFP123 cells in other such lights myself. If you have a charger that does LFP, you wouldn't need to buy the SF charger shown, although it looks convenient. They provide lower capacity / run-time than primaries, but perform well otherwise, slash operating cost, and I always leave home with fully charged ones if it matters, then at least I know how much run time I'm carrying. With partially used CR123As, I never knew for sure. This is another advantage in my view.

I also recently started using a 16650 li-ion cell in a 2 x CR123 light with some success. That results in a lower than normal voltage, but with the electronics in some lights, it works OK in practice. I think a lot of SF users also use them, but I'll let the SF users add more to all this...........

SFLFP123 Batteries

[email protected]

www.surefire.com

 

[gunnertwo]

aznsx, thanks!

G2