Alkaline pressure buildup

Borad

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I had pressure building up my AAA twice. No flights or changes of altitude. The first time I could barely get the head unscrewed it was so tight from the pressure. The "pop" was pretty intense when it finally opened. The battery must have outgased somehow.

Me too.

Gore makes a cloth that will not pass water molecules, that can be put over the hole. There is also a ceramic that will do the same thing, and is more durable. Neither will pass straight water.

you don't have to sacrifice waterproofness to fix it. All you need is a self energizing seal, which allows a seal from one direction only. Check the tailcap seal of a Mini Maglite (only the minimag has it)

These quotes are from 2004. Does any other light have something like that these days? Maybe even a button you could press that will release pressure? My Fenix E05 has to be twisted on and off and the pressure made it feel like the seal wasn't seated correctly or the threads were wearing out, but the pop when I changed the battery made me realize it's the pressure.
 

Str8stroke

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Are you hugely worried about this?? You ask: "Does any other light have something like that these days?" What light were they referring to?

Pelican sells several lights designed for this scenario. Google the Pelican Sabre 2000

I am sure there are others. Probably safety or diving lights that need specialized venting capabilities.
 

Borad

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The feel is very wrong and I'm probably wearing out the o-ring when this happens. Even before I'm sure there's a problem, there's probably a slight problem that's wearing out the o-ring.

You ask: "Does any other light have something like that these days?" What light were they referring to?

I quoted InTheDark mentioning the Mini Maglite has such a feature, but I know this forum is largely anti-Maglite so I was wondering about other options.

And the reason I'm into alkalines is because I think they're the safest. I also don't use flashlights regularly so rechargables aren't as important.
 
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Borad

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Pelican is looking good for everything but a keychain flashlight, but their website is driving me crazy. So much selection and not enough organization. Good to know they do vents though.
 

Str8stroke

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mentioning the Mini Maglite has such a feature, but I know this forum is largely anti-Maglite so I was wondering about other options.

SAY WHAT!!! Many many members here love Maglites. Perhaps not in the stock format, but Maglites, I would say, have a strong cult like following here.

Have you considered Energizer Lithium batteries?? This may solve your issues. I use them almost 100% in my lights. Especially the Copper ones.
 

Borad

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Have you considered Energizer Lithium batteries?? This may solve your issues. I use them almost 100% in my lights. Especially the Copper ones.

I read that they're not allowed in the luggage compartment of planes. I'm trying to play it safe. Maybe I'll routinely start to open my Fenix E05 to release the pressure. I have a 2D waterproof flashlight without this problem, but ironically it's only the large ones that Pelican makes with valves so maybe I'll stop carrying a keychain light when the Fenix dies.
 

more_vampires

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I read that they're not allowed in the luggage compartment of planes.
Lithium-ion rechargeable isn't permitted as bulk cargo on passenger planes. Cargo-only aircraft, it's permitted. Lithium ion is permitted on passenger planes, provided they are in operational devices.

Energizer Ultimate Lithium primaries just recently received "intrinsically safe" cert, IIRC. Those aren't rechargeable.

Search engine for Energizer Ultimate Lithium intrinsically safe approval. It returns several nice PDFs which we aren't supposed to directly hotlink here.
 

Borad

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I don't think lithiums are safe for the Fenix E05. The specs of the newer version of the Fenix E05, the one with three settings (Shouldn't they change the model number when they add two brightness levels?), say "Batteries: One 1.5V AAA (Ni-MH, Alkaline) battery." It has "IPX-8, underwater 2m" waterproofing and enough pressure built up in the battery compartment to make it hard to twist the bezel. There was a pop when I opened it. I don't want to put a lithium battery under that kind of pressure especially when the manufacturer recommends alkalines.

That said, I noticed that I put a lithium in my E05. I think I'll remove it.
 

Burgess

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Interesting thread here !

lovecpf


As CPF member More Vampires stated,
here is a PDF file of the recent approval rating
for Energizer L91 & L92 batteries.

:twothumbs

http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/Lithium Intrinsic Safety.pdf


BTW --
I've been using Energizer Lithium L92 cells in my two
Fenix E05 (2014 edition) flashlights since July 2014.

Never a trace of problem or difficulty !
Just * LOVE * this combination of light & battery.

:thumbsup:

Just FYI
 

KeepingItLight

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I have seen this before with Fenix. The FenixLight web page for the Fenix E05 (2014 Edition) lists only Alkaline and NiMH. If you download the User Manual, however, you will see that lithium primary is also approved. Check the Battery Specifications section.

Fenix E05 (2014 Edition) User Manual

The manual for the original E05 is no longer available on the web site. Forced to guess, I would say it too can take lithium primaries.
 

Str8stroke

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Energizer Lithiums not safe or allowed?? Yeah yeah yeah :shrug: I have them, since they first came out, in probably 50 lights that run on primary cells. Never had a problem of any kind. Also, I have flown dozens of times. Never has any TSA agent ever ever asked me to open my keychain light and show them what kind of battery it is. Even if you did, when the common person reads Energizer, they are not going to even know the difference.

Story Footnote: My Cousin who is a Male Flight Attendant in the US, (no jokes please) now flies every day with a SOG AA Dark Energy DE-03, and a SF Outdoorsman AA with Energizer lithiums. He carries 4 spare AA Energizer Lithiums in his carry on luggage, that gets scanned all day every day. He has never reported a problem to me. In fact, several pilots and TSA folks have commented positively on his lights. He has no problems, maybe cause he is a flight attendant?? Maybe not?
 

Borad

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The manual for the original E05 is no longer available on the web site. Forced to guess, I would say it too can take lithium primaries.

I still have the packaging and manual that came with it. I even created a PDF of the manual but I'm afraid to upload it and link to it. Fenix apparently doesn't want it published.

Oh, and it says "Uses 1.5 V AAA (Ni-MH, Alkaline) battery" with nothing about lithium.
 

Illum

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I still have the packaging and manual that came with it. I even created a PDF of the manual but I'm afraid to upload it and link to it. Fenix apparently doesn't want it published.

Oh, and it says "Uses 1.5 V AAA (Ni-MH, Alkaline) battery" with nothing about lithium.

I was speaking from experience. I decided to risk my $22 E05 light to see how it reacted to 10440s. The output did not even double, and the intensity started dropping after about 20-30 seconds of run time on the 10440. I suspect that the optic was discoloring even though the outside of the head was not hot. fried. :(

Personally, it runs L92 just fine. In fact every E05 I have on hand [about 8] are feed an exclusive diet of L92s
 

bykfixer

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While entering a store one day I had a clip on light in my pocket with the supplied (alkaline) AA's that I had used about all of 20 minutes and it was earlier that day.

Suddenly I feel my pocket getting warm, then real warm..
I pull out the light and it's all buldging like road kill..."whut-thuh!?!?"

I pop off the cap and toss the batteries on the ground and one had split open.
I had bought several of that light to give away as Christmas presents and they were boxed up.

So I'm standing in the checkout line 10 minutes later thinking "awe snap, I wonder if those other lights are about to explode all in a box tucked under my (very flamable) sofa?"

I got home and threw every one of those batteries in the trash. None were leaking or showing any signs of duress.
When I gave 'em away they all had brand new lithiums with a piece of plastic stopping them from turning on.

To this day I do not know why that one burst. Best I can figure is the manufacturer had placed an old one with a new one as it's a 2 cell light.

I'd mixed any ole alkies together for decades and had no issues.

But not any more. If there's any doubt the ole DVM gets used.
 
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Borad

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The possibility of something like that is why I don't feel totally comfortable with ANY battery on my person. The lower the power the safer I feel. I'm going to see if I could find a decent 1xAAAA floody.
 

Spartanden

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This what gets confusing....alkaline or NiMH or lithium. Dang near afraid to buy any of them.....

What should we use? What's really safe?
 

Borad

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This what gets confusing....alkaline or NiMH or lithium. Dang near afraid to buy any of them.....

What should we use? What's really safe?

The AA and AAA Energizer Ultimate Lithiums are "intrinsically safe." Put one in an "intrinsically safe" flashlight that takes one cell only, and I think you're kind of safe. But the usual warnings still apply, including:

•DO read the instructions on your device before installing batteries. Only use the size and type of battery specified in the instructions.
•DO insert the batteries properly. Follow the symbols showing the correct way to position the positive (+) and negative (-) ends of the batteries.
•DO keep battery contact surfaces clean by gently rubbing with a clean pencil eraser or cloth.
•DO immediately remove exhausted batteries from your device and dispose of properly.
•DO remove all batteries from the device at the same time and replace them with new batteries of the same size and type.
•DO preserve battery life by switching off a device and removing the batteries when it's not being used, and is not expected to be used for extended periods of time.
•DO practice proper battery storage by keeping batteries in a cool, dry place at normal room temperature. It's not necessary to store batteries in a refrigerator.

• DON'T dispose of batteries in a fire — they may leak or rupture.
• DON'T disassemble, crush, puncture, or otherwise damage batteries. This can result in leakage or rupture.
• DON'T carry loose batteries in a pocket or purse with metal objects like coins, paper clips, etc. This can short-circuit the battery, leading to high heat or leakage.
• DON'T recharge a battery unless it is specifically marked "rechargeable." Attempting to recharge a non-rechargeable (primary) battery could result in leakage or rupture. Don't use rechargeable alkaline batteries in nickel metal hydride battery chargers.
• DON'T store batteries or battery-powered devices in hot places — elevated temperatures can lead to capacity loss, leakage or rupture.
• DON'T mix old and new batteries, or mix different types or makes of batteries. This can cause leakage or rupture, resulting in personal injury or property damage.
• DON'T give batteries to young children.

I was looking for an intrinsically safe light that met my other requirements and found none. I think I'll stick with my Fenix E05.

...what's interesting is that there are intrinsically safe flashlights that only take alkaline batteries, and I can't find any intrinsically safe alkaline batteries. But I think the main issue with alkaline batteries is occasional leakage, not explosion.
 
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Borad

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Thanks...looks like I'm looking for some Enigizer lithium....

As long as your light could take them. I feel like the lithium I'm using is itself safe but I'm not confident it won't overheat part of the light.
 

KeepingItLight

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I still have the packaging and manual that came with it. I even created a PDF of the manual but I'm afraid to upload it and link to it. Fenix apparently doesn't want it published.

Oh, and it says "Uses 1.5 V AAA (Ni-MH, Alkaline) battery" with nothing about lithium.

The manual I linked above says the same thing. Later on, however, in a section entitled "Battery Specifications," it says that lithium primaries are usable.

Does your manual have a Battery Specifications section?
 
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