E1L with RCR123 3.0 volt?

[Marlinaholic]

Can I safely and effectively use Soshine 123RCR 3.0 volt batteries in a Surefire E1L? These have the KX1 head. Someone in the know please let me know, I would appreciate it.

 

[Oddjob]

That should be fine although your runtimes will be much lower than with primaries.

 

[Marlinaholic]

I know my runtimes will be lower, (although brightness may increase) I just wanted to be sure I wouldn't hurt the light. I know the 3.7 Volt stuff is a no no, but I was hoping the 3.0 volt stuff should be ok. Anyone else want to chime in and confirm our thoughts here? Your knowledge is appreciated.

 

[horizonseeker]

it's what I use, no problem so far. I use tenergy 3.0v.

also, it's not a problem to run the 3.6V on e1L (at least the KL1 head) since the KL1 head is meant for a max of 6 volts.

 

[steveG]

I think the KX1 head is the latest version. Right?

If so, my E1L works fine on high but flickers on low with a Tenergy 3.0V LifeP04 battery. my E2DL does the same thing... sometimes.

 

[nein166]

It depends on the writing on the head of your E1L
The old KL1 head can run from 3v-9v
The KL1 came on the Gen1 of the E1L and E2L
It had the squared beam

Edit sorry I missed KX1 in the OP

 

[Blindasabat]

The older KL1 will run OK with 3V up to over 8V - a lot of people say 9V is OK. It is brighter with mor voltage.

The newer KX1 single level (07-early08 version) will run brighter on RCR123 3.0V than a primary. I use two different kinds of 3.0V RCR and both are OK. I have tried 3.6V and it strobes slowly from high to some lower level.

The newest KX1 is dual level (08-09) and I have not seen one. I have heard it will act the same way as the earlier KX1 on 3.6V, that it will strobe.

When I resistor my KX1 to a low level it PWM's - probably like you are seeing SteveG. The KX1 wants more voltage and can't get it. The E2DL won't even light up on a 3V primary since primaries sag to ~2.6V or so under the load of the E2DL current draw.

 

[Lighthouse one]

I can recommend the Soshine batteries. THe quality is much better than many of the cheap batteries. I have both 3.0 and 3.7 batteries.

 

[dealgrabber2002]

Yes you can. But running RCR123 3V on low mode when the battery is still fresh, it will somewhat flicker. High mode is perfectly fine. Once you drain the battery ~3.0, the low mode will stop flicker.

 

[steveG]

Yes you can. But running RCR123 3V on low mode when the battery is still fresh, it will somewhat flicker. High mode is perfectly fine. Once you drain the battery ~3.0, the low mode will stop flicker.

This is right. I just tried a couple batteries that were charged yesterday and used briefly today in another lamp... both my E1L and E2DL work fine on low on these barely used batteries.