Is it safe to use RCR123's in a Flashlight without the blue protection?

[garbman]

Hi guys.
Im wondering how safe it is to use a protected RCR123 without the blue cover which i has just removed it. Just to help it fit in the small chamber of the Amilite Neo T3. Its not a problem for this flashlight because it has the FLUPIC intalled.
Is it gonna be a problem with the chargers also? I have a nano and a kit for two batts from Lighthound which i believe it is smart.

Thanks
Apostolis

[z96Cobra]

I assume you are talking about the "wrapper" on the cell? If so, I have read a few posts where folks do that if their cells are a little too fat for the body of the light. Some cells were even double wrapped from the factory and it was removed with no ill effects.

Roger

[garbman]

Yes im talking about the blue wrap.
Thanks for the answer
Anyone else?

[Dark Vapor]

I posted in your thread on using rcr123 batteries in the Amilite. In that thread I stated that I had the battery tube sanded just enough to fit the rcr123. My coworker did a good job where the rcr123, with blue "wrapper," slips in with hardly any play. Primaries will have some rattle, but I don't intend to use it unless I have to.

Goldserve did not say whether the flupic board can monitor over discharge. I for one would rather have the battery give the warning that the voltage is low (I tend to wait to the last minute to do things and I might forget to change the battery when it is time).

The battery tube is thick enough for the amount of sanding to be done, which is not alot. A dremel type hobby tool will do the work.

Good luck on whichever method you do.

[chesterqw]

unless the interior of the flashlight's barrel is HAIII too, you will get a short circuit someday...

[garbman]

unless the interior of the flashlight's barrel is HAIII too, you will get a short circuit someday...

I think it's not. It looks bare aluminum inside.
Im not looking forward of putting primaries inside also im litlle scared about the unprotected RCR123's. Maybe i will abuse them soon, so maybe i have to find a good machinist with a dremmel tool.
Thanks for the replies guys.

[cave dave]

It depends on the design of the light and the design of the battery. The Amilite doesn't have a tailswitch so you should be OK. Some batteries have a + can (the outside) but most have a negative can. I'm not sure how the protected ones work.

Be careful when its outside the light as the short circuit potential is much greater, since there may only be a couple mm gap between the + button and the - edge of the outside. Some CPF posts are out there about thinner RCR123's. I would try to find some of those.

[tvodrd]

To elaborate on cave dave, on a single cell light, removing the wrapper on a lithium primary or unprotected Li Ion should be perfectly safe in a bare metal case as they are negative under the wrapper. If a protected Li ion has its protection circuit at the neg end of the cell, it will have a "wire" running down the side from the positive end, which could easily short. Alkaline cells like Duracell are positive under the wrapper and would be an instant short if peeled and put in a bare metal tube. I've often wondered if a lot of the alkaline failures weren't due to a cells wrapper wearing through.

Larry

[garbman]

It depends on the design of the light and the design of the battery. The Amilite doesn't have a tailswitch so you should be OK. Some batteries have a + can (the outside) but most have a negative can. I'm not sure how the protected ones work.

Be careful when its outside the light as the short circuit potential is much greater, since there may only be a couple mm gap between the + button and the - edge of the outside. Some CPF posts are out there about thinner RCR123's. I would try to find some of those.

So its not a good idea to use it in my HDS B60. I guess that if you are true you saved my life....
I have searched also for thinner batteries but nothing in the protected area.
Only unprotected could fit in.
If you find something im glad to hear it.
Thanks

[garbman]

To elaborate on cave dave, on a single cell light, removing the wrapper on a lithium primary or unprotected Li Ion should be perfectly safe in a bare metal case as they are negative under the wrapper. If a protected Li ion has its protection circuit at the neg end of the cell, it will have a "wire" running down the side from the positive end, which could easily short. Alkaline cells like Duracell are positive under the wrapper and would be an instant short if peeled and put in a bare metal tube. I've often wondered if a lot of the alkaline failures weren't due to a cells wrapper wearing through.

Larry

Yes it has the wire from side to side. Its not a problem for now (3 days maybe) when i use it in the flashlight. No short circuit problems. Is it a problem when i have the battery tailstanding when i have it outside the flashlight?