Cr123a questions

[yankees102110]

Hey guys I have a few questions regarding single 123a flashlights. I've always been an eneloop guy, all my lights are double A. I'm looking for a new EDC flashlight, my current one is the lumintop tool AA 2.0 which is a great light but I'm looking for more power. I'm not interested in lithium ion batteries because I don't want to have to monitor them and stuff like that. I've noticed that the 1xcr123a flashlights can put out a lot more power than the 1aa lights. I know there are dangers of using 2xcr123a due to reverse charging and such but are those type of dangers also in the 1xcr123a lights as well. I would only use surefire batteries since I've read that they are one of the best. Thanks in advance.

 

[WarriorOfLight]

If you search for accidents with CR123 cells you will not find a lot. It is up to you if you would like to usw 1xCR123 or 2xCR123 lights. I would say both it is safe. Also Surefire lights are well build lights. I habe a few lights, and you should also check out the HDS section. Guess there are a lot of crazy People, including me

 

[xxo]

One cell is safer than two (or more) - no way to mismatch cells and no way to reverse charge.

BTW, check out the Streamlight 1L-1AA, it runs on either a single CR123A or a single AA - no adjustments needed, just drop the cells in and go.

 

[staticx57]

I would instead of fearing lithium ion to buy a light that manages the low voltage cut off built in.

 

[WalkIntoTheLight]

Yes, definitely reconsider that decision. A single 18650 light is extremely safe, and most good lights have low-voltage-protection built in. You can always use a protected cell, if your light is cheap and doesn't have LVP.

The only times I would recommend CR123 is for extreme cold conditions (below -20C or -30C), or if you're in law enforcement and the taxpayer is paying for your disposable batteries. I don't consider the longer shelf life a real reason, since it's not too difficult to buy new batteries every 10 years instead of 20.

 

[LED Monkey]

I can speak from my experience that I have not had any safety issues with single cell lithium ion use.
On the other hand I did have lithium primary batteries explode in a light I was using in my hand a few years ago.
I've swapped out using 2x cr123a for 1x 16650 li-ion in that light with no problems.
A single cell light will eliminate the milti cell risks.

 

[yankees102110]

Well I just ordered a Nitecore NM01. It will be my first lithium ion powered light. The battery is non removable and it's on board charging, seemed like it would be a good light for a newbie like myself. I didn't realize that USB charging was a thing for flashlights and I think now I will venture more into 18650 powered USB charging lights.

 

[LED Monkey]

I do hope your new Nitecore works very well for you. Just my opinion on built in batteries in lights, I would like to be able to swap out the battery after the battery's life is past usefulness with a new one. There are many lights nowadays with usb charging. It will probably last a pretty good amount of time depending on it's usage and your charging habits. I just don't want to throw out the light after the battery goes dead. I do have a Nitecore P12 that's about 6 yrs old and still works 100% today. And yes there are many 18650 lights available with on board charging now too

 

[bykfixer]

Starting out with 2 (or 3) fresh cells at or near the same voltage and using only that combo is generally pretty safe. The key is to check the voltage of each before marrying them to other cells to be used. Say you buy a 10 pack, they should all have pretty close to the same voltage, but sometimes for whatever reason one may have discharged way more than the others.

The Streamlight mentioned is great at putting out a pretty decent amount of light with a double a (or triple a in a pinch) then really comes alive when a CR123 is used.

The draw of some lights these days is so much they can feel scarey warm after a bit. For that kind it is really important to marry batteries with like voltages.

 

[thermal guy]

You stand more of a chance getting hurt driving a car then anything that can happen with a couple 123's. You will hear horror stories from some but you will find very very few incidents with them. Got to understand if there was any measurable sense of danger trust me companies wouldn't be able to cover it up. And I have done quite a bit of research on the subject. Just start with 2 new cells and have fun.

 

[yankees102110]

I ended up cancelling my order for the nitecore, I'm just going to stick with the AA eneloop powered lights. Sorry for wasting anyone's time.

 

[archimedes]

You stand more of a chance getting hurt driving a car then anything that can happen with a couple 123's....

I hear this a lot, and I can't really say that I understand the logic :thinking:

I've been hang gliding too, and took certain reasonable steps to maximize my safety.

When I drive, I wear a seatbelt. Although certain risks increase, on balance it is safer.

When using primaries in series, why wouldn't one do a few simple things to minimize overall risk ?

I know you mean well, tg, and it is important to keep relative risk levels in perspective ... but in our hobby, I think more knowledge is helpful for others to make informed choices as to where to draw those lines :shrug:

 

[thermal guy]

Oh I agree that with everything we do we take a risk and we take safety steps to insure we stay safe. As you say seatbelt and such. And if I came off as acting that one shouldn't take any Precautions I apologize. What I was trying to get at is that the risk is not as bad as some believe.But ya your right it's up to the operator to learn and choose for themselves.

 

[archimedes]

I ended up cancelling my order for the nitecore, I'm just going to stick with the AA eneloop powered lights. Sorry for wasting anyone's time.

No need to apologize, and I hope the discussion of safety didn't wave you off of lights you might like

 

[LED Monkey]

I hope nothing was said to wave off yankess102110 , just shootin thoughts around.

 

[WalkIntoTheLight]

I hear this a lot, and I can't really say that I understand the logic :thinking:

I think there's no reason to panic about safety, when the chances are so incredibly slim. Yes, you might die from a lithium-ion exploding in your mouth. But the chances are so slim, that the fear is irrational.

Sure, do reasonable safe things with lithium-ion cells, we all agree with that. But if you're really worried about safety, eating sensibly and getting some exercise is going to protect you 1000000x more.

 

[archimedes]

I don't think you are understanding my point.

Just because one (must, or does) accept the (far higher) risk of "driving a car" ... must one ignore or not care about the (far lower, but potentially reducible) risk of, say, handling batteries improperly ?

I eat right and exercise, too, but I don't golf in a thunderstorm even though risks of being struck by lightning are infinitesimal compared to driving around daily :duh2:

And I don't think anyone here is "panicking" about batteries. In fact, I think CPF'rs as a group are probably more knowledgeable and sensible about this than any other related hobby, apart from maybe the RC crowd.

 

[LED Monkey]

+1 archimedes. Trying to get the facts/knowledge does not = panic .
If you have a hobby or interests in something most people are more likely to look into more facts/knowledge
with all that goes into that hobby or interests.

 

[LED Monkey]

I hope I'm not

Yes the chances are quite slim, we'll say 1 in a 1,000,000
I guess I was the lucky millionth battery winner at least 1x

 

[bykfixer]

On the other side of the coin:
One day I grabbed two random batteries from a stash of leftovers. Two aa cells. Two brands. Two unknown remaining juice. I stuck them in a fairly low powered flashlight and used it to check for a coolant leak on an engine of a car I was fixing up. No problems.

Forgetting I had the flashlight in my jacket pocket about 30 minutes later, I felt heat coming from my jacket pocket while walking across a parking lot into a grocery store. I stuck my hand in said pocket and felt what seemed to be something that had just come from an oven. "Yikes". It was HOT. Instinctively I tossed it about 10 feet and before it landed "POOF".

Yup, alkaline batteries can explode too. Nothing like lithiums but still it freaked out folks coming from that store and by the time it was all over a fire truck was outside the store with folks in uniform checking out the area. It was nothing like a hand grenade, but enough pressure had built up inside the light to burst the tail cap off. I advised one of the firemen "I guess this why the package says never mix old batteries".