Lithium primaries. 0.2volt difference dangerous?

I have a 3-cell device that can take three 3.0V CR2 batteries. One cell is 3.26V the other 3.22V and one is 2.96V.

Would it be dangerous to run with this setup?

Extremely dangerous. That 3rd cell would be very likely to start reverse charging and explode.

0.2V makes that much of a difference?

leukoplast said:

0.2V makes that much of a difference?

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In this case, yes. The third cell is already partially used, and will die before the other two.

In multiple cell lights, it is VERY important to match cells of the same state of charge.

Ok thanks.

So the 3.22V and 3.26V ones are ok, and at what point would it not be good to mix? Like more than a 0.06V difference, or a difference of 0.1V?

It depends on the brand quality, the lower/higher end of voltage range charge disparity. You will have more risk with one cell at end of its supplied capacity than say 3.10 & 3.20V

I don't know if you will get the kind of certainty you are looking for, since these are questions that professional battery engineers would need to verify and resolve. I think the general ballpark of 0.05V is a sensible guideline from what I have read on primary cell differences being used together in series (assuming the same brand).

To be honest, I have used a Surefire 123a at 3.10 with another at 3.20V, but I'm not recommending it....and I'm not a battery engineer.

LuxLuthor said:

....and I'm not a battery engineer.

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Oh I can't let that one go. Just how did all those battery packs put themselves together than?