Black "soot" on surefire CR123a

[crazyk4952]

I took the batteries out of my Surefire 9P and discovered that the bottom 2 batteries had a bit of black "soot" on the positive terminals. My finger was able to wipe it off. It was not on the top battery.

I am using surefire brand CR123A batteries. This is the third set of batteries since I first got my 9P and I have not noticed this happening with the other sets.

Is this normal? Do I need to be worried about it?

 

[65535]

Sounds like it vented a little bit. Just replace the set.

 

[crazyk4952]

Well I am not sure if it vented or not. The batteries still work and I think they have about 1/2 of their life left.

 

[buickid]

Might be best to play it safe and just replace them.

 

[watt4]

replace them both

 

[Grox]

call (not email) SF and they'll replace the set.

don't keep using these ones.

 

[LuxLuthor]

That's not normal behavior. Don't use the cells. Contact SF by phone.

 

[Big_Ed]

replace them both

No, replace all three. You don't want 2 fresh batteries mixed in with 1 that has 50% charge!

 

[crazyk4952]

Sorry, I meant that all three cells had about 50% capacity remaining.

 

[Big_Ed]

Right, but if you are replacing ANY of the batteries, you should replace ALL of them. Having two new batteries at 100% charge and one at 50% is asking for the batteries to reverse charge one and possibly vent with flame. Be safe and just replace the whole set.