Fenix E18R got a little too cold?

[OregonMedic]

I live in a cold climate in Oregon and accidentally left my Fenix E18R in my truck overnight. Sat in there for 8 or so hours as ambient/outside temperatures got to around 30 degrees F. When I hopped in my truck in the morning, I noticed it was sitting on my seat and so I gave it a quick test.

At soon as it ramped up to turbo it would hop down one lumen mode. After about 30 minutes of being in my pocket it was able to hit turbo no issues.

I'm pretty confident this is normal, and I understand Li-ion batteries aren't great in the cold. I'm still using the stock Fenix 16340 that came in the light.

Would "upgrading" batteries of prevented this? Or is this just a common thing with all Li-ion batteries, out of curiosity? This is the first time I've ever experienced this, as I'm usually good about not leaving my lights (that aren't AA/AAA powered) outside or in my truck at night.

Edit: I'll also mention the battery wasn't "low" but it wasn't fully charged.

TIA

 

[aznsx]

I live in a cold climate in Oregon and accidentally left my Fenix E18R in my truck overnight. Sat in there for 8 or so hours as ambient/outside temperatures got to around 30 degrees F. When I hopped in my truck in the morning, I noticed it was sitting on my seat and so I gave it a quick test.

At soon as it ramped up to turbo it would hop down one lumen mode. After about 30 minutes of being in my pocket it was able to hit turbo no issues.

I'm pretty confident this is normal, and I understand Li-ion batteries aren't great in the cold. I'm still using the stock Fenix 16340 that came in the light.

Would "upgrading" batteries of prevented this? Or is this just a common thing with all Li-ion batteries, out of curiosity? This is the first time I've ever experienced this, as I'm usually good about not leaving my lights (that aren't AA/AAA powered) outside or in my truck at night.

Edit: I'll also mention the battery wasn't "low" but it wasn't fully charged.

TIA

That reminds me of the time (years ago) when I put a pair of Eneloops AAAs in a digital thermo/hygro meter and stuck it in my refrigerator to monitor temps. When I went back to check it, the display was blank. Seems they like the cold about as much as I do.

I haven't done any testing w/Li ion cells and haven't used them in any car lights because I didn't expect them to do well, although high temp is my larger concern here (even though it does hit freezing here even at my elevation on occasions). I try to use lithium primaries in car lights (among other things) because I believe they have exceptionally good operating temp range.

It may or may not be of interest, but in the past couple of years I've seen 18650s marketed specifically for low temp applications. While not a recommendation, here's an example of one:

Fenix ARBL18 2900L Cold Resistant Rechargeable 18650 Battery

Holiday Specials & Black Friday Deals for Fenix Flashlights, Headlamps, Lanterns, & Bike Lights from the Official Fenix Store in the USA. Fast & Free USA Shipping

www.fenix-store.com

There are others on the market, but I've not tried any of them myself. I believe I once checked one of them that was tested on the 'LYGTE' site, but don't recall the results - although I gathered they do provide extended low temp operating range. If interested, you might want to check there. If really interested, you might like to pick up a couple of such cells of your choice and try them.

Edit: I'm not sure if such cells are available in 16340 (which I use a lot of). I can't recall seeing any off hand.

 

[Hooked on Fenix]

For 16340, I'd use CR123A disposables. For 18650, Fenix, Klarus, and Nitecore have low temperature cells 2900 mAh and 3500 mAh. For unprotected 18650s, use 3500 mAh 10 amp rated Molicells (M35A). For 21700 get Nitecore cold weather ones (4200 mAh) or 4200 mAh 45 amp rated Molicell P42A.

 

[nbp]

This has happened to me too with lithium ion cells and high draw lights. When the cells get too cold they can't hit the high modes. If the light has to stay outside in cold temps, I would agree, primaries are the best. Otherwise, bring the light in at night to warm up, or stick the cells in your pocket to warm up when needed.