surefire rechargeable 123s

[AardvarkSagus]

I just read in the Surefire catalog that they are now offering SF branded Lithium Phosphate cells. I've tried searching around here about them and can't seem to find anything. Can anyone tell me anything about them? What do the experts here think?

[Chongker]

Sounds interesting, I wonder what advantages the new chemistry offers. Higher voltage? Better capacity? Better load characteristics?

[CheepSteal]

I saw this on the recent catalog as well, aparantly the capacity is significantly less than the primaries (the catalog says half capacity of primaries). But they're rechargeable and i assume won't void your warranty!

[AardvarkSagus]

They sound just about on par with the Tenergy LiFEP04 cells I am currently using in my A2. 3.0V 750mAh cells sounds like about like half the capacity of the 3.0V 1500mAh primaries. Plus the safer chemistry that doesn't require a protection circuit.

[VegasF6]

I am curious do they offer or suggest a charger?

[CheepSteal]

I am curious do they offer or suggest a charger?

I think they will but we'll have to wait for them to update their website. A few items in the catalog aren't listed on the website yet like the 6PX Defender.
Someone please correct me on this if I'm wrong though.

[ebow86]

I just got the new surefire catalog and seen these in there. Can anyone provide any more info than what's posted here? Are these to be a direct replacement for CR123's? In other words, could you run 2 of them in a p60 host and not instaflash the p60 or shorten the lifespan, hence a direct replacement for 2 CR123's?

[ecrbattery]

It will be interesting to see how SureFire will solve the voltage problem with the lithium-phosphate batteries since LiFEP04 voltage is around 3.2V - 3.3V. I hope they will make the new rechargeable battery compatible with the P60 instead of a lame "Caution: Do Not Use with P60 Lamps" sticker.

My experience with the 2x Westinghouse LiFePo4 600 mAh AA in the SolarForce L2r P60 host was very short. Although the P60 output was awesome during the last 2 minutes of its life before going

[Lightfoot98]

I thought I read somewhere that someone (mfg) was using a diode under pos cap to reduce output voltage under load, while letting it charge in conventional chargers.

[ebow86]

I would like to think that these will be able to replace the CR123's that I run in my incan's right now. I'm thinking surefire is releasing these to be a direct rechargeable replacement to their CR123's, and hopefully they will be able to be run in their incan lights with no issues, running factory supported rechargeables in surefire LED's doesn't excite me much, the possibility of having factory supported rechargeables for their incans, now that exciting.

[ebow86]

Doesn't seem to be much intrest in these so I will contact surefire and post back and let you guys know what they say.

[NOREAT]

Anyone know if these are for real? I'm thinking of getting an E2E, but if I can't use rechargables in it, it would be out of the question due to battery costs.

[LEDAdd1ct]

I just bought (pre-ordered) a dropin for the E2E in Custom. You could use a 17670 in there.

[dstat]

In case anyone was wondering I contacted surefire and they said these are not out yet but they are planning to release them later this year (2012)

[snakyjake]

Plus the safer chemistry that doesn't require a protection circuit.

Be careful of the word "safer". None of the batteries require a protection circuit.

[snakyjake]

Here's a good link describing Lithium Phosphate:

http://www.iloveebikes.com/batteries.html

But I do wonder how much runtime is given up in comparison to using NiMH.

[Robin24k]

These should be out soon...SureFire is waiting on packaging for the kit, and then it will be available on their website. I got an unpackaged kit of these and will post some pictures tomorrow. They're made by K2 Energy and are 600mAh.

[Robin24k]

Some pictures...

[ToyTank]

Interesting those pics have 2010 on them. I'll need to get a set I can never have enough batteries.

I have been using lifepo4 for years and I have yet to kill a cell even ones that have been ran down to <1V REPEATEDLY. IMHO Lithium iron phosphate is widely considered to be as safe and green as NIMH. 2 AW or tenergy IFR16340 give me a little over 30 minutes @ 1A.

If only we could squeeze a little more energy density out of the chemistry.

[JasonC8301]

I was just browsing around and saw these surefire cells. I have a 47's quark single cell that sees a lot of use. I was originally going to get a pair of AW rechargable cells for it and a nano charger but saw this. How do they compare?

[Robin24k]

They're not quite as energy dense as the 3.7V Li-Ion, but the benefit of LiFePO4 is inherent safety that doesn't require protection circuits.

BTW, these batteries are now available for order!

http://www.surefire.com/batteries/sf...arger-kit.html

http://www.surefire.com/batteries/2-...batteries.html

[Illum]

Some pictures...

Okay... now I'm worried. Surefire's rebranding OEMs?

[Robin24k]

I don't know why, but yes, these items are not rebranded. Only the throw-away packing will have SureFire branding.

[JasonC8301]

Thanks Robin24K. I guess I'll stick to ordering the AW cells with the protection board. I'll stick to Surefire primaries for my Surefire lights.

[Glock 22]

I just ordered a set from Surefire to try out.

[Shadowww]

Okay... now I'm worried. Surefire's rebranding OEMs?

Yes, for example SF123A's are rebranded Panasonic CR123's

[germanium]

I think you will be pleasantly surprized by the real capacity of the K2 Energy batteries. They outlasted all of the regulated LiCO batteries I tested by 50% or more & ran much cooler than the regulated LiCO batteries to boot. Thier capacity rating is real as in they actually deliver that capacity.

[arnold ziffle]

just got an email from surefire. these look familiar. made here or china?

[Launch Mini]

I just got that email too.

[Robin24k]

Both are Made in China. Cells originate from China, but are tested and packaged in the US.